Strega Nona's Gift

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with impulse control around holiday treats or when you want to explore how traditions create a sense of community and belonging. This charming tale follows the legendary Strega Nona through the various Italian feast days of the winter season, from San Nicola to Epiphany. It serves as a gentle exploration of gratitude and the consequences of greed, wrapped in the cozy, magical atmosphere of a small Italian village. Parents will appreciate how Tomie dePaola uses the bumbling Big Anthony to model the feelings of shame and guilt that follow a mistake, and the subsequent path toward making a sincere apology. It is a perfect choice for the 4 to 8 age range, offering a balance of humorous mishap and heartwarming resolution. It ultimately teaches that while we all make mistakes, the true spirit of the holidays is found in sharing our abundance with others, including our animal friends.