Strega Nona's Magic Lessons

Author: Tomie dePaola

First line: Bambolona, the baker’s daughter, was angry.

Why you should read this book: Ever-popular Grandmother Witch, Strega Nona, is back, and this time she has a new apprentice, the long-suffering but quick-to-catch-on Bambolona. Unfortunately, Strega Nona’s hapless helper, Big Anthony, is jealous of Bambolona and the attention she gets from his boss, so he tries his hand at baking for Bambolona’s father, with the expected disastrous results. When that doesn’t work out, he puts on a dress and attempts to make his mark as an apprentice strega, but in the end, Big Anthony must admit his deception and his mistakes until, once again, all is well with the world.

Why you shouldn’t read this book: You only had children so you could pass the family business down to them and hang out in cafes with your friends while they toiled.