The Legend of Old Befana: An Italian Christmas Story Hardcover – Picture Book, November 7, 2017

For families celebrating Christmas - or even just interested in new Christmas stories - this one is great for your bookshelf! This is a particular take on an Italian legend about an old woman who goes to see baby Jesus. She never makes it, but she’ll put sweets under your pillow on January 6th because she is still looking!I simply love Tomie dePaulo’s books. The illustrations are beautiful and often surprising in their depth and detail. His characters are unique and go beyond the often one-dimensional and even trite characters of picture books. This book is no exception!We celebrate Christmas at our house, and I’m excited to add this to the shelf of books we read over and over again all December. It won’t disappoint!

This book scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. Seriously, it was so odd and scary that I used to hide it in my closet in hopes that my parents wouldn't read it to me. I don't think it's supposed to be scary, but the thought of an old witch flying around during Christmas time (instead of Santa, who I was more familiar with) was just too much for me to handle.Having said that, I bought this book as a gift for my best friend's little girl... I figure, I turned out okay despite the Befana traumatizing of my youth, so perhaps she will, too.They are an Italian family, so they appreciated it!

I used to buy a new book for Christmas to read when my children were young and have continued the tradition for my four grandchildren who still have their mothers original books I saved for her.

The Legend of Old Befana tells the story of La Befana, a Italian Christmas story and tradition. I read this book to my students every December when I teach Christmas around the World! My students always love it! This book is wonderfully written and has beautiful illustrations! I highly recommend this book!

I wish there were more books about La Befana in the US; thankfully, even if this is the only one you have ~ it is a WONDERFUL book telling the Italian legend of Befana. In many ways, the story of Befana reminds me of the biblical story of Mary and Martha (Lazarus' sisters). While a guest in thier home, Mary chose to spend time with Jesus while Martha is too busy with her household chores. In The Legend Of Old Befana we meet an old woman who is constantly sweeping. When the procession of kings pass through her town and tell her of the birth of the Child King she decides to follow. She bakes all day in order to have a gift to bring for the Child. She also plans to sweep knowing that the Child's mother will be tired.However, rather than set off to find the baby Jesus, she tarries in order to sweep. Her decision to delay in favor of sweeping costs her a glimpse of the Child King. To this day, she searches for the Child, visiting children while they sleep, leaving them gifts from her basket.I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to share this celebrated Italian legend! Another EXCELLENT resource is Ken Lonnquist's CD titled Old Befana:  Old Befana . You can also download the entire album in MP3 format which is cheaper and faster. It has the story of La Befana and songs.

Every year I buy a book to give out with some holiday treats. I usually bake Italian cookies so I love that this story is an Italian legend. The pictures are great and the storyline is easy to understand. This is a great story to have on hand for January 6 as it is more about the the Epiphany than it is about Christmas.

Bought it to help share a different version of Santa with my students. It has some vague hints of the story of the birth of christ but not enough I felt to make people uncomfortable or feel like I was introducing Christianity to their children without their approval or knowledge. Outside of that, I would say the illustrations were beautifully done, the story is easy to follow for small children and entertaining. I felt like this was a worth while purchase. it was hard to find the story in English. This is in english.

Many many years ago, one of my friends told me the story of Befana - and I fell in love with it. So when I saw this book, I thought it would be a great little book to give to my niece & nephew. I sat down to read it when I received it - and it didn't take but 3 pages to see the stories are drastically different. I have to believe that the published story is the accurate one - so I have to ask my friend where the heck she came up with or heard her version. BUT, this book is beautifully illustrated and great for kids.

My granddaughter has a part Italian heritage and I was interested to see a newsfeed from the family village of Arpino on 6th January showing the enactment of what was a very strange (to me) traditional story. I looked for a book that might explain and this is the one I found. It is a beautiful, gently told and tremendously affecting story of Befana who looks for the Christ child, or the good, in every child on January 6th - Epiphany. I am not a Christian of any sort, but found this lovely story both delightful and a revelation. Good to see a story that is positive about an old woman too!

Not Strega Nona this time, for whom Tomie dePaola is famous, but a tale of old Grandma Befana in the days of yore just before the Nativity. Interesting reminder that no one need ever be too busy with the daily grind to raise up their eyes and look at the big picture and think about the big issues.This is beautifully illustrated in rich colours. The double-page centrepiece, the procession of the Magi, is just stunning.An old, wise tale that will appeal to both parent and child at storytime.

Love this book!!

My niece loved reading this to her daughter as we are from Italian parents where la befana is in our childhood upbringing she loved it !

Lovely retelling of this Italian folk tale and helped embed the Italian tradition that I grew up with for my 3yr old daughter.