Alice Nizzy Nazzy written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Tomie dePaola is a delightful reissuing of this 1995 picture book. The cover hosts a picture of Alice Nizzy Nazzy herself. She has a fearsome face, long sharp red nails and a lizard curled around her shoulders. She is a witch in the Slavic folklore tradition now living in the deserts near Santa Fe, New Mexico. She looks as if she could walk right off the cover!
The story begins when little Manuela, who had been walking her sheep loses them. Their tracks take her to a strange adobe that has roadrunner feet. The talking fence welcomes her and after peeking through a window Manuela decides to go inside. There she sees Alice Nizzy Nazzy herself! “Her face was withered as a walnut, and her skin was yellow as squash. Her eyes were red and beady and bright. Her teeth were black as night.”
Soon Manuela finds herself in Alice Nizzy Nazzy’s cooking pot! The witch who is determined to make soup becomes upset when she can’t find her jar of flowers from the black cactus. Manuela tells the witch that she knows where a black cactus can be found and is allowed to jump out of the cooking pot and lead the witch to the spot. It is a wild ride over mountains and mesas.
When they return Manuela, who is a good child, is ordered back into the cooking pot but is saved by the fact that the witch thinks good children taste sour. Manuela’s sheep, which have been disguised as dirty white pillows, are free of the witch’s spell as Alice Nizzy Nazzy flies off to find some really “bad” children.
Alice Nizzy Nazzy written by Tony Johnston and illustrated by Tomie dePaola is a fast paced and colorful Baba Yaga tale set in Santa Fe for readers 4-8 years of age. Spanish words are beautifully featured (Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2022).
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Activity Questions for Alice Nizzy Nazzy
Take another look at Alice Nizzy Nazzy throughout this book. Study how she walks, what she says and how she treats others. Then, using your own imagination, draw your own picture of such a witch. Also be sure to give your witch an appropriate name. Have fun!
Alice Nizzy Nazzy does not keep her word to Manuela because she says she crossed her fingers when she said it. Have you ever done this? Has any friend ever made this excuse to you? Write a short paragraph about either one of these situations. If nether apply to your experience write about how you felt when someone broke their promise to you for whatever reason.
There are many Spanish words in this story because this story takes place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Here are the meanings of the following word and phrase: Hola (Hello) and Hasta la vista (Bye). Now, look up the following words and or phrases online to see what they mean: Gracias dulce angelita, adobe, mesas and sopaipillas. Parents, grandparents, and teachers can help.
