Strega Nona, previously appearing in the pop-up Brava, Strega Nona!, returns with a serious green thumb. The wise woman knows her plants, and she dispenses advice to her companions, Bambalona and Big Anthony, as she carefully plans her garden with a packet of seeds saved from a previous year. Strega Nona walks her audienceāincluding little readersāthrough the importance of rotating crops, lines of properly sowed vegetables and gourds, and applying smelly compost. She also shares her magical secret: a triple set of bows and kisses blown to the moon. Big Anthony aims to tend a garden of his own, though he doesnāt follow Strega Nonaās linear plan; he scatters seeds with abandon. A sort of time-lapse overhead view shows how the two gardensāStrega Nonaās orderly plot and Big Anthonyās chaotic patchāgrow over the season. The two gardeners enjoy their respective harvests; Strega Nona fills her kitchen and house with the fruits of her labor, while Big Anthony wonders what to do with his secret stash of produce. He ultimately decides to stack the bounty on Strega Nonaās porch under the cover of night. The woman, while delighted by the discovery, figures that some townspeople shared their excess, but a trip into the village reveals that a localized drought prevented much from growing. Strega Nona then uses the mysterious crop to feed the community, offering a meal and take-home food to guests happy to partake in the riches of her property.
This book has a lot going for it. Tomie dePaolaās illustrations create a soft world of gentle lessons and thoughtful sharing. At once a guide in good farming practices and the surprises of generosity, it also hints at the importance of following rulesāthough Big Anthonyās disregard for Strega Nonaās advice doesnāt result in disaster, as another teller might have done with the tale. The youngest readers and listeners will likely enjoy the how-does-your-garden-grow aspect of the story, while older kids may be inspired to do some horticultural planning of their own. Strega Nonaās story is perfect for the springtime, when plants are bursting with buds and fruit, and the fall, when planting begins.
āWhat Kids Are Readingā is a regular feature in the Sun, highlighting childrenās books available for young readers in Santa Maria. This weekās recommendation was made by Executive Editor Ryan Miller.
This article appears in Mar 29 – Apr 5, 2012.

