First published 2007
Big Anthony thinks he has mastered Strega Nona's magical pasta pot. The meddling assistant decides to prove his knowledge of the magic secrets while Strega Nona is away. He activates the enchanted pot, but pasta begins flowing without end. The torrent of noodles grows larger and threatens to overwhelm their small Italian town. Big Anthony discovers that knowing how to start the magic is not the same as knowing how to stop it. Meanwhile, in other tales from this collection, a Chinese boy with an extremely long name faces danger, Joey the young rabbit seeks a new home to avoid cleaning his messy room, jungle animals pass along a disastrous misunderstanding that silences the sun, and brave Madeline gains a loyal canine companion after nearly drowning in a Parisian river. Each story explores what happens when characters must face the consequences of their choices or circumstances beyond their control.
Genres: short-stories, fantasy, fairy-tale-retellings
Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, magic
Setting: Italy
Period: 20th-century
Audiobook · Weston Woods