Merry Christmas, Strega Nona

Reach for this book when you want to shift the holiday focus from receiving gifts to the quiet joy of community and service. Strega Nona, the beloved village healer, prepares for her annual feast while her bumbling but well-meaning assistant, Big Anthony, works behind the scenes to show her just how much she is appreciated. It is a perfect selection for families looking to celebrate the 'magic' of kindness rather than just the magic of spells. While the story features a grandmotherly witch and Italian folklore elements, its heart is rooted in the warmth of tradition and the importance of saying thank you to those who care for us. The gentle pacing and classic Tomie dePaola illustrations make it an ideal wind-down read for the 4 to 8 age range, modeling how a community comes together to support one of its own. It is a comforting, secular-friendly look at the spirit of the season.