Big Anthony: His Story

By Tomie dePaola

Book Overview

Whenever Big Anthony is around, be ready for BIG laughs

Fans of Tomie dePaola's kindly Strega Nona will love this charming look at the early days of her good-hearted but clumsy helper Big Anthony. From the day he is born, Big Anthony never pays attention. As a boy, he leaves the gates of the farm open and all the animals escape. As a young man off to make his fortune in the world, he accidentally "fixes" the leaning Tower of Pisa. Will Italy survive the hilarious mishaps of Big Anthony?

"Readers of all ages can be grateful that dePaola continues to practice his magic so well."
--The New York Times Book Review

"Big Anthony and Strega Nona certainly qualify as celebrities in the realm of picture books, and this latest installment will bring smiles to the faces of their young fans."
--School Library Journal

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0698118936
• ISBN13: 9780698118935
• Release Date: June 2001
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 4.3" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Big Anthony: His Story

This story in the "Strega Nona" series tells of the "origin" of Big Anthony- from his birth to his joining up with Strega Nona. On his journey to find his fortune (his family kicked him out because he did everything wrong and wouldn't listen :) ), he straightens up the leaning tower of Pisa, he visits Firenze and Roma, where he disrespected the cardinal, and Napoli, where he witnessed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.This is a wonderful picture book, and a really great edition to the incomparable Strega Nona series!

The story was fantastic. Big Anthony is a real character!

This book was hysterical, from Big Anthony spilling all of his baptismal water to not allowing the Cardinal to cross the bridge without paying two coins. A must read!

Big Anthony is back for a funny, bumbling biography.

Since 1976 Big Anthony has been entertaining children both in Strega Nona (which won a 1976 Caldecott Honor) series books, and in his own books. The newest addition is the funniest book yet and takes me back to my childhood days. Big Anthony is back at his best and kids will love this book. dePaola has another winner in this series!