Big Anthony His Story

This delightful picture book tells the origin story of Big Anthony, the well-meaning but often clumsy character from Tomie dePaola's Strega Nona series. Readers join Big Anthony on his journey across Italy, where his good intentions are frequently overshadowed by his inattentiveness, leading to a string of humorous, albeit minor, problems for the townsfolk he encounters. The story gently explores themes of responsibility, consequences, and the importance of paying attention, all wrapped in dePaola's signature warm illustrations and lighthearted narrative. It culminates in his fateful meeting with Strega Nona, setting the stage for their future adventures. Perfect for ages 3-7, it's a wonderful read-aloud that sparks conversations about making mistakes and learning from them.

Big Anthony, well-meaning but inattentive, journeys around Italy causing one problem after another, before meeting Strega Nona.