Signed edition

This book follows the life of an Italian kid named Anthony who is not always the picture perfect kid. This book shows the ups and downs of life, and tells that not all jobs are meant for you.

Strega Nona's bumbling assistant, Big Anthony, gets his own 'biography' in this seventh entry in Tomie dePaola's picture-book series about the 'grandmother witch' and her helpers. Born on a farm in northern Italy, Anthony exhibits his trademark forgetfulness and clumsiness as he grows to adulthood. Eventually sent out into the world by his exasperated family, he heads south, finding a succession of jobs, none of which lasts, due to his inability to remember and follow instructions. The book closes with an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, which is at least, as Big Anthony comforts himself, not the hero's fault...

I enjoyed Big Anthony: His Story, which immediately follows the similar Strega Nona: Her Story, although I was a little bit disappointed that dePaola did not cover how the eponymous hero came to the grandmotherly witch's town in Calabria, and how he found a job with her. Leaving that aside, the story here is amusing, demonstrating that Big Anthony's failings, in the earlier books, were a lifelong characteristic. The artwork is appealing - vintage dePaola - and accentuates the humor of the many misadventures. I particularly liked the episode in which Big Anthony thinks he has caused the Leaning Tower of Pisa to tilt. Recommended to fans of Strega Nona and of Big Anthony. ( )

Being a fan of the Strega Nona series, I really enjoyed this book. This book was a prequel to the Strega Nona series. It provides background information on Big Anthony who is Strega Nona’s assistant helper. Big Anthony was hired and fired by many different bosses in many different jobs. He could not pay attention to one thing ever since he was little. I loved reading this story because it showed me Big Anthony past and how he got to be where he was. Know, his character makes sense and I am able to relate to him in some ways. He found someone who was willing to take him in despite his faults. The illustrations made the story what it is. Kids can try and predict what a page is about just by looking at the illustrations. That is something that makes Tomie dePaola’s drawling special. I would highly recommend this book to those who are into the Strega Nona stories and those who aren’t. ( )

I enjoyed this book for the most part. His journey illustrates the big idea in the book, which is don't give up on yourself. He constantly makes mistakes because he doesn't pay attention: "'And Anthony, don't leave any of the gates open. Did you hear me?' 'Si, Mama,' Big Anthony shouted, 'gates open!'" Since he didn't listen to his mother fully, he opens all the gates and lets all of the animals run away. Because he keeps making mistakes, his family tells him he needs to go make his fortune before he ruins the entire farm. He makes mistakes other places, but he eventually finds where he belongs. I really like that the main character, Big Anthony, makes mistakes and keeps moving on throughout the story. It made him very relatable and very human. I also like the use of Italian words in the story, such as "bambino", "il padrino", and "Padre". I think it really adds to the story and immerses you into the world where Big Anthony lives. ( )