"Big Anthony and the Magic Ring" is a story written by Tomie dePaola, an acclaimed children's author and illustrator. Published in 1979, this picture book follows the adventures of a bumbling character named Big Anthony and the magical ring he discovers. The story is set in an Italian village and revolves around Strega Nona, a kind-hearted witch who is known for her magical powers. Strega Nona is loved and respected by the villagers for her ability to solve their problems using her magic spells and potions. She also has an assistant named Big Anthony, who is often well-meaning but tends to make mistakes due to his limited understanding. One day, while Strega Nona is away, Big Anthony stumbles upon a magic ring in Strega Nona's house.
One day, while Strega Nona is away, Big Anthony stumbles upon a magic ring in Strega Nona's house. Unaware of its powers and unable to resist its allure, he puts it on his finger and starts experimenting with the ring's abilities. With a simple wave of the ring, Big Anthony discovers that he can make things appear and disappear.
Vast witch figure
In an exciting new approach to witchcraft studies, The Witch in the Western Imagination examines the visual representation of witches in early modern Europe. With vibrant and lucid prose, Lyndal Roper moves away from the typical witchcraft studies on trials, beliefs, and communal dynamics and instead considers the witch as a symbolic and malleable figure through a broad sweep of topics and time periods.
Employing a wide selection of archival, literary, and visual materials, Roper presents a series of thematic studies that range from the role of emotions in Renaissance culture to demonology as entertainment, and from witchcraft as female embodiment to the clash of cultures on the brink of the Enlightenment. Rather than providing a vast synthesis or survey, this book is questioning and exploratory in nature and illuminates our understanding of the mental and psychic worlds of people in premodern Europe.
Roper’s spectrum of theoretical interests will engage readers interested in cultural history, psychoanalytic theory, feminist theory, art history, and early modern European studies. These essays, three of which appear here for the first time in print, are complemented by more than forty images, from iconic paintings to marginal drawings on murals or picture frames. In her unique focus on the imagery of witchcraft, Lyndal Roper has succeeded in adding a compelling new dimension to the study of witchcraft in early modern Europe.
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In an exciting new approach to witchcraft studies, The Witch in the Western Imagination examines the visual representation of witches in early modern Europe. With vibrant and lucid prose, Lyndal Roper moves away from the typical witchcraft studies on trials, beliefs, and communal dynamics and instead considers the witch as a symbolic and malleable figure through a broad sweep of topics and time periods.
Employing a wide selection of archival, literary, and visual materials, Roper presents a series of thematic studies that range from the role of emotions in Renaissance culture to demonology as entertainment, and from witchcraft as female embodiment to the clash of cultures on the brink of the Enlightenment. Rather than providing a vast synthesis or survey, this book is questioning and exploratory in nature and illuminates our understanding of the mental and psychic worlds of people in premodern Europe.
Roper’s spectrum of theoretical interests will engage readers interested in cultural history, psychoanalytic theory, feminist theory, art history, and early modern European studies. These essays, three of which appear here for the first time in print, are complemented by more than forty images, from iconic paintings to marginal drawings on murals or picture frames. In her unique focus on the imagery of witchcraft, Lyndal Roper has succeeded in adding a compelling new dimension to the study of witchcraft in early modern Europe.
Excited about his newfound power, Big Anthony starts showing off his abilities to the villagers. However, he soon realizes that the magic ring is much more powerful than he anticipated. He accidentally makes himself and the whole village disappear. Chaos ensues as the villagers become frightened and try to find a way to bring everything back to normal. Luckily, Strega Nona returns just in time and takes charge of the situation. Using her knowledge of magic, she retrieves the magic ring from Big Anthony, and with a wave of her hand, she restores everything to its original state. Strega Nona then gently reprimands Big Anthony and reminds him of the importance of responsible use of magic. Through this humorous story, Tomie dePaola explores themes of responsibility and consequences. "Big Anthony and the Magic Ring" teaches children about the importance of thinking before acting and the potential risks of abusing power. This engaging tale captivates young readers with its vibrant illustrations and relatable characters, leaving them with a valuable lesson to remember..
Reviews for "Big Anthony's Battle Royale: Magic Ring vs. Witch"
1. Jennifer - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Big Anthony and the Magic Ring". The story felt very repetitive and predictable. I found myself getting bored halfway through and struggling to finish it. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. Overall, I would not recommend this book as there are much better alternatives out there.
2. David - 1/5
I honestly struggled to find anything enjoyable about "Big Anthony and the Magic Ring". The plot was lackluster and did not capture my attention. The writing style felt forced and awkward, making it difficult to engage with the story. I also found the illustrations to be unimpressive and uninspiring. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written children's book.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I was not impressed with "Big Anthony and the Magic Ring". The story lacked originality and felt like a rehashed version of other children's books. The characters were forgettable, and the humor fell flat for me. Additionally, the pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, this book did not leave a lasting impression, and I would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1/5
"Big Anthony and the Magic Ring" was a major letdown for me. The plot was uninteresting and failed to keep me engaged. The writing style was tedious and lacked creativity. I also found the illustrations to be poorly done and unappealing. I would not recommend this book, especially when there are so many better options available for children's reading material.