Strega Nona and 2nd graders

Recently I had fun with a Tomie dePaola favorite, Strega Nona's Harvest.  For a second grade lesson I integrated comparing characters, character traits, providing text evidence and learning a little about the author.  My lesson sequence was as follows:
1.  First we went to a website to learn a bit about Tomie dePaola: www.readingrockets.com.  They have great author interviews.
2.  Next I explained their purpose in reading this book; identifying character traits and giving text evidence.  This was not the 2nd graders first time to show text evidence or learn about character traits, but they still need guidance.  I used a whole-brain method to define character traits...
        Character Traits: Its' who the character is on the inside. (point to your heart).  You can tell by what the character does (do arm and feet fake walking motion) or says (use one hand to make talking motion near your mouth).  The students copy your motions while you say the definition.
3.  Then I show them this Venn Diagram and I tell them the character traits for Strega Nona, Big Anthony and both.  Their job after the story will be to give text evidence of what the character says and does to show these traits.
4.  During reading I stop and point out text evidence.  By the end of the story they are getting quite good and giving the evidence.
5.  After reading, each pair shares a Venn diagram to write just one text evidence for each part.  There is way more than one.  Guide partners that are not giving strong text evidence.