STREGA NONA MEETS HER MATCH

When fashionably dressed Strega Amelia visits, Strega Nona welcomes her, but her hospitality is poorly rewarded. Observing Strega Nona's lively trade in cures, Amelia lures away not only her customers with "scientific equipment" and giveaways—but also Big Anthony with new responsibilities, of which he's very proud. This last betrayal, however, is Strega Amelia's undoing: Big Anthony runs the "husband-and-wife machine" backward, mistakes the wart cream for the hair restorer, and creates such a muddle that the townspeople turn once again to Strega Nona. Fans of the good witch won't want to miss this predictable but appealingly mellow sequel (the witches part amicably, and Anthony never knows quite how he helped), while dePaola's comical, beautifully composed illustrations are a pleasure. (Picture book. 4-8)