The 1st book is Kali And The Rat Snake by Zai Whitaker. Kali's father is a snake catcher - the best in the village. Kali knows that is really something to be proud of, but at school he sometimes gets embarrassed. The other children seem to think there is something very strange about having a snake catcher for a father, and eating things like fried termites for a snack. Plus, Kali is the teacher's pet. How will he ever make friends? Strega Nona Takes A Vacation by Tomie dePaola. Lately Strega Nona has been distracted. She even gave Signore Mayor the wrong remedy for his headache. One night Nona has a dream about her grandma Concerts,vwho has been in heaven for many years, and her little house at the seashore. Nona decides that she will take a vacation there. While Strega Nona is away, Bambolona will do the daily remedies and Big Anthony will do the chores. With these two left in charge, what could possibly go wrong?