Pages on Wizzley - Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona Does It Again by Tomie dePaola, Twelfth in the Series

Matchmaking appears on the responsibilities section of a witch’s résumé. Its success depends upon psychology and/or remedies. Both will be needed in “Strega Nona Does It Again!”

9% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie dePaola, Number Ten in the Series

The best gardeners are both intuitive and obedient. They accurately choose which problem-solving approach to apply. So where does Big Anthony fit in “Strega Nona’s Harvest”?

14% 0 3 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Brava, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola, Number Nine in the Series

Strega Nona aims to help and to please. Calabria's wise woman has common sense, herbal remedies, and magic spells. She informs readers of life's own magic in “Brava, Strega Nona!”

9% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona Takes a Vacation by Tomie dePaola, Number Eight in the Series

Nobody must be so indispensable as to work 24 - 7. Everybody needs time off. Calabria’s grandmotherly witch finally realizes the two deep truths in “Strega Nona Takes a Vacation.”

9% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Big Anthony, His Story by Tomie dePaola, Number Seven in the Series

Calabria’s beloved Grandma Witch employs Big Anthony. Her new hire has a monopoly on being aggravating. But absent-minded awkwardness may be congenital in “Big Anthony: His Story.”

21% 0 5 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona: Her Story as Told to Tomie dePaola, Number Six in the Series

Celebrities become famous for their talents. They also get known through autobiographies and biographers. That is what prompts “Strega Nona: Her Story,” as Told to Tomie dePaola.

11% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Young Adult Books

Book Review The Boy Who Conquered Everest: Jordan Romero and the First Family to Summit Chomolungma

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay hold titles as first known summiters of Mount Everest. Jordan Romero is the youngest. He tells his story in “The Boy Who Conquered Everest.”

9% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate, G Brian Karas

A silverback begins and ends life in grasslands. In between he is a mall attraction and modern artist. Katherine Applegate and G. Brian Karas tell a shop gorilla's story in "Ivan."

42% 0 10 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona Meets Her Match by Tomie dePaola, Number Five in the Series

Some acquaintances and relatives honor friendship while others do not. Interactions may or may not survive competition. Rivalry turns upon itself in “Strega Nona Meets Her Match.”

17% 0 4 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona's Magic Lessons by Tomie dePaola, Number Three in the Series

A baker’s daughter dislikes ever earlier and later hours. A new hire does not stop thinking about food. The stage is set for “Strega Nona’s Magic Lessons.”

26% 0 6 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Big Anthony and the Magic Ring by Tomie dePaola, Number Two in the Series

As the saying goes, everyone dances the tarantella once. The tarantella goes with tambourine music. Strega Nona’s new hire learns its downside in “Big Anthony and the Magic Ring.”

9% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona's Gift by Tomie dePaola, Number Eleven in the Series

Grandma Witch Nona follows the old ways. She therefore has to think of month-long gift-giving every December to January. Her villagers always look forward to “Strega Nona’s Gift.”

26% 0 6 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola, Number One in the Series

Grandmotherly witches have special skills. But they hire like any other employer, through “Help Wanted” ads. That is why Big Anthony has a job with “Strega Nona.”

17% 0 4 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Merry Christmas Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola, Number Four in the Series

Even grandma witches like breaks from spells. They look forward to days off. But everything still must get done for villagers to wish sincerely "Merry Christmas, Strega Nona."

17% 0 4 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Jack: A Beanstalk Story Retold and Illustrated by Tomie dePaola

The Jack Tales appear in Cornish and English legends, lore, and lyrics. Scaling the beanstalk counts among the most beloved. It gets super-charming spins in Tomie dePaola’s “Jack.”

9% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Book Review of How Hollyhocks Came to New Mexico by Rudolfo Anaya, Nasario Garcia, Nicolas Otero

Hollyhocks abound throughout New Mexico’s summer and fall. But they are not native to the Americas. They inspire a charming creation story in “How Hollyhocks Came to New Mexico.”

39% 0 9 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Review: The First Tortilla, Bilingual Childrens Book by Rudolfo Anaya, Amy Cordova, Enrique Lamadrid

Tortillas are one of Latin America’s beloved foods. Their creation belongs among Latin America’s endearing legends. The tale’s update enchants all readers of “The First Tortilla.”

9% 0 2 DerdriuMarriner

Children's Books

Childrens Book Review of Stolen Thunder: A Norse Myth Retold by Shirley Climo and Alexander Koshkin

Norse god Thor’s beloved thunder-making hammer gets stolen. His beloved Freya is demanded as ransom. Which, if either, must Thor decide is more important in “Stolen Thunder”?

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