Tomie de Paola's first story featuring his beloved Strega Nona character, who began life in the 1970s as a doodle, and was the perfect creation for his Italianized retelling of Der süße Brei, Grimm's Fairy Tales, number 103. Der süße Brei, or The sweet porridge, is better known in English as The magic porridge pot. When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.

Read by the author
3 hrs. 57 mins.
2 cassettes
Well-loved author Tomie dePaola brings his childhood memories to audio in this collection of the first four books from his 26 Fairmount Avenue series.
26 Fairmount Avenue
Tomie's family starts building their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue in 1938, just as a hurricane hits town, starting off a busy, crazy year.
Here We All Are
Tomie takes us back into his childhood...

With colorful illustrations and songs written by Tomie dePaola, the world of the Fog Maiden is filled with magic

As she drifts through her Day Garden, the Fog Maiden passes flowing crystal fountains, rows of dancing statues, and secret, shadowy places where she can stop and rest. In each place, she sings a special song. At twilight, her cat Token joins her. They take a Night Garden walk as Star-Flowers and Moon-Flowers tumble from

...

The Barkers are going to adopt a child, and twins Morgie and Moffie couldn't be more excited. They can't wait to tell him all about dinosaurs, teach him to play baseball and show him how to have tea parties. But their new brother, Marcos, only speaks Spanish. It won't be easy, but the twins know that with a little effort, they can all learn the Spanish word for "family." In this delightful sequel to Meet the Barkers: Morgan and Moffet Go to School,...

A little old lady's attempts to have pancakes for breakfast are hindered by a scarcity of supplies and the participation of her pets.

In Strega Nona's village, the holiday season is a time of celebrations-and nothing says celebration like a feast. All the kitchens are bustling from the Feast of San Nicola, when the children choose the food, to the Feast of Epiphany, when someone gets to be king or queen for the day. Even the animals share in the holiday spirit, and when Big Anthony smells the delicious treats Strega Nona is cooking for them, he decides that just a taste couldn't...

The laziest man in all of Ireland catches a leprechaun, who offers a potato seed instead of a pot of gold for his freedom.

A rival puts Strega Nona out of the healing business until Big Anthony's assistance inadvertently sabotages the newcomer in his usual well-meaning way.

Children's author-illustrator Tomie De Paola describes his experiences at home and in school when he was a boy.

Strega Nona sends home gifts of candy and bubble bath while on vacation, but when Bambolona grabs the candy, Big Anthony is left with a lot of bubbles.