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The Legend of Old Befana
This is a delightful reading of the favorite Italian Christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her never-ending search for the Baby King.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
September 2nd 1980
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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Old Befana, like the Martha of Scripture, is busy with many things, and so she never does quite catch up with the Christ child...thus the legendary origin of the leaving of gifts on the Feast of the Three Kings on Janaury 6th. My daughter and I enjoy these Tomie dePaola children's versions of various cultural legends, and I am glad to have a story about Epiphany to share with her since that was not something we observed in our lower church days, but we do now.
Abigail
rated it
Recommends it for:
Readers Interested in Italian Christmas Traditions / Tomie dePaola Fans
Old Befana liked to keep busy - sweeping and re-sweeping her home, her doorstep, and her walkway, and baking sweet-smelling treats - and didn't appreciate being interrupted. When a marvelous procession passes by her house, with three kings from afar, all seeking after a mysterious child born in Bethlehem, she refuses to follow along, claiming she has too much work to do. Later, mulling over the news of this extraordinary infant, she regrets that decision, and, baking some treats as a gift for th...more
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This Italian folklore is about an old woman, who seems bitter. Old Befana is not friendly to passers-by. She is constantly sweeping and doing her household chores, so much so that she misses the child being born (the Baby King). She searches for days and days. Before this day, townspeople would stop by to say hello but Old Befana would sweep them away saying that she had no time for visiting. She learned to value the company of others and began leaving presents for children on her journey to...more
This is a good retelling of the classic Italian legend la Befana. She was an old woman who met the three wise men on their journey to find the Christ child. They invite her to come along, but she doesn't go. The story is what she decides to after that decision.
The illustrations are exactly what you expect from a Tomie dePaola book. Very enjoyable read. Kids will love it, adults will learn something new.
The illustrations are exactly what you expect from a Tomie dePaola book. Very enjoyable read. Kids will love it, adults will learn something new.
Read to my children so long ago - Tomie dePaola is a long-time favorite artist; his books bring to life stories and legends to yet another generation.
I remember reading this a long time ago with my daughters; Sklar's review brought it back. Want to reread. dePaola is an all-time favorite!
The sin of acedia conveyed in concepts comprehensible to a preschooler. Impressive.
Great book with lots of great symbolism. Great story
with beautiful art.
with beautiful art.
I love this book. A great story of Christ centered Christmas traditions.
An old Italian Christmas story worth reading.
Yet another book I didn't understand as a child.
A sweet story with gorgeous illustrations.
From Aunt Caterina
This is the Italian version of the Russian/Slavic folktale "Baboushka and the Three Kings."
I love this story of Epiphany. No one on the Italian side of my family could ever tell me the story of La Befana. I got that she would go door to door giving children gifts but no one could give me the full account! Now I know.
Mom even gave me a copy many years ago.
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Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) is best known for his books for children.
He's been published for 40 years and has written and/or illustrated over 200 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Livi...more
More about Tomie dePaola...
He's been published for 40 years and has written and/or illustrated over 200 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.
Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Livi...more
![Strega Nona: Un Cuento Tradicional Adaptado E Ilustrado Por Tomie de Paola; [Traduccion, Ruth de Prada Casellanos]](http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175988021m/581409.jpg "Strega Nona: Un Cuento Tradicional Adaptado E Ilustrado Por Tomie de Paola; [Traduccion, Ruth de Prada Casellanos]")
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