Kirkus Reviews QR Code
BIG ANTHONY AND THE MAGIC RING by Tomie de Paola

BIG ANTHONY AND THE MAGIC RING

By

Pub Date: April 25th, 1979
Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

In a rerun of the popular Strega Nona (1975), Big Anthony borrows not a magic pasta pot but a magic ring from his witch employer. When Strega Nona wishes on the ring it turns the old woman into a beautiful lady--who is forthwith off to the village square to dance the tarantella all night long. When Anthony snitches the ring the next night it makes him as handsome as he wished, and all the ladies in the square fight to be his dancing partner. But once again Anthony can't undo the charm--the ring won't come off his handsome finger--and he is worn out from fleeing the ladies when Strega Nona steps in and rescues him with a little olive oil. It's a good formula and it still works, but--repetition aside--this hasn't the delightful touches of Strega Nona.