Vostra Befana

by Barbara Cuoghi, Elenia Beretta (Illustrator)

Se siete tra quelli che pensano che la befana sia solo una vecchia invidiosa di Babbo Natale, che sa portare solo carbone, vi sbagliate di grosso. Le tradizioni legate alla befana sono diverse, piene di segreti e metamorfosi. L'arrivo della befana coincide con il risveglio primaverile, con la vita di piante e animali e con i regali più preziosi per gli esseri umani: giudizio, sole e acqua.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Childrens, Witches, Italy, Fantasy

26 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a letter to children explaining La Befana and her role as the witch of the Epiphany (she’s out there working on Epiphany eve January 5). She’s a useful figure in Italy where she rewards children with small gifts of candy and nuts if they’ve been good. For those who haven’t been good there will be coals and rocks in their stockings.

In her letter to children she talks briefly about the transition of seasons and looking forward to Spring when the earth comes back to life. Her letter is followed with a little information about folklore in Europe. The Epiphany and older tales celebrate the final day of the Christmas season or the turning towards Spring and renewal.

Since la Befana is active at night the illustrations are dark with small touches of Dayglo orange as accents. I’m not sure you will be able to convince the children you are reading with that she is actually a positive force. Her tone is a little scary.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Befana, the Christmas gift giver of Italian tradition, who visits children on Twelfth Night to give presents to those who have been good and to punish those who has been bad, pens a letter to the children expecting her in this gorgeous picture book from Italy. The narrative is sharp, with the eponymous Winter Witch emerging as a powerful force, often benevolent but sometimes less so, who cannot be negotiated with, or seen by children, but who visits them without fail. The book closes with a section devoted to "A Few Secrets About Me," as certain facts are given about Befana, including her possible origin, changing appearance, and corollaries (Germany's Frau Holle, Austria's Frau Berchat) in other cultures...

Originally published in Italian as Vostra befana, and then translated into English by Genni Gunn for the Canadian publisher Greystone Books, Yours, Befana: A Letter from the Winter Witch pairs an engrossing narrative from author Barbara Cuoghi with gorgeous artwork from illustrator Elenia Beretta. As someone who loves Christmas stories, witchy tales, and folklore of all kinds, this book was probably always going to appeal to me, but I was particularly struck by the un-domestic tone taken in Befana's letter, and how appropriate and satisfying that felt to me. I think that throughout the author was trying to distinguish her gift-giver from that of Santa Claus / St. Nicholas / Father Christmas, which is understandable, although I could have lived without the snide dig at that other holiday gift giver, described as "that clumsy oaf dressed in red with his herd of reindeer." It felt small and cheap, as if one's own holiday tradition couldn't be appreciated and celebrated without putting down another, and also unnecessary, as the overall tone of Befana's letter already paints her as very different from the "jolly old elf." Leaving that one critique aside—and it did grate—this one still had great appeal as a story, as well as an illustrated text. Beretta's artwork reminded me a bit of that of fellow Italian illustrator Beatrice Alemagna, especially in the use of bright pink accents, but it also struck me as very original and very much its own creator's. I loved the use of color, both subtle and bright, and of form. All in all, if one can look past the dig at Santa, this is a lovely Christmas picture book, one I would recommend to anyone interested in the character of Befana specifically—whose traditional story (or versions of it, in any case) has been explored in American children's books such as Tomie dePaola's The Legend of Old Befana and Ilse Plume's The Christmas Witch —or in Italian holiday traditions more generally.

[jennifer]

Obsessed with this.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book teaches kids about Twelfth Night holiday traditions. It's written from the perspective of Befana, the Winter Witch, as she describes herself and her activities. There are additional pages in the back that share more information about this legend and various European nations' traditions, and this part is also written from Befana's perspective.

The illustrations are atmospheric and unique, but the dark, somewhat abstract art style will appeal to adults more than children. Also, this is definitely more of an educational book than a story. There's no plot, just descriptions from the character, and this gets a bit wordy at times. I appreciated the many great vocabulary words in this translated book, but many kids will need an adult's help to fully understand and appreciate the content.

I received a free copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine, magical addition to any winter holiday stories. A beautifully illustrated picture book brings the Italian folk character La Befana to life, as she writes a letter to children in celebration of Epiphany on January 6th. Cuoghi’s Befana is charmingly crafted—a winter witch flying through a starlit sky, delivering sweets to well-behaved children and lumps of coal to others, all while sharing her love for the changing seasons and the promise of spring.

The artwork by Elenia Beretta is enchanting, using gouache and touches of fluorescent orange to give Befana’s journey an ethereal glow. Gunn’s translation ensures the letter’s tone remains engaging and lyrical, making it accessible for young readers.

Beyond the tale, the book also provides fascinating cultural insights, connecting Befana’s legend to other winter witches across Europe, like Germany’s Frau Holle and Austria’s Frau Perchta.I really enjoyed it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book has a lot to say about La Befana, the old woman in Italian folkore searching for the Baby Jesus to bring him gifts. However, in this book there isn't any mention of Jesus or the Nativity. Rather it focuses on what Befana is doing on Twelve Night. Although she is still a gift giver, there is more to her story. Befana is described as the winter witch who is "the gap between dark and light" and also as the "ancient earth" that is "frozen in winter, soon blooming to new life." A fascinating interpretation and an interesting book to contrast with Tomie DePaola's classic The Legend of Old Befana!

"The Twelfth Night is my favorite holiday: at midnight animals speak, wishes are fulfilled, water turns to wine and walls become cheese, and trees bear golden fruit."

[Tracie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique holiday story. La Befana, the winter witch of Italian folktales who brings gifts (or coal) to children on January 6th in preparation of spring, shares her wisdom in a letter.

The illustrations in this are particularly noteworthy: pops of fluorescent orange against a background of dark earthtones.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been interested in the Christmas celebrations of other countries. This was a good book to learn about Befana.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, no-nonsense not-Santa. The second half was like back matter, with a little historical context.

[Amara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are stunning!

[Nettie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story with beautiful illustrations.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all very kid-friendly, but interesting.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid intro to Befana, who she is, what she does

[Miss Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Itakuan folklore picture book about the holiday-winter witch/La Befana

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is really more about an adult being clever than a book for kids.

[Marcia]

Not great, there was no intro for kids to understand who Befana is from page 1.

[Miry _ le.pagine.dei.miei.libri Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una notte magica, in cui anche gli animali parlano.
La notte che “tutte le feste si porta via”.
La notte in cui i regali più preziosi sono il giudizio, il sole e l’acqua.
È la notte in cui si festeggia il risveglio della primavera.
Mi è piaciuta tantissimo la parte in cui la Befana parla e si racconta, ma ancor di più le pagine finali, in cui vengono svelati i suoi segreti.
Le illustrazioni sono meravigliose: un’esplosione di colori che mette allegria.
Un libro che invita a guardare la Befana con occhi nuovi e a riscoprire la magia nascosta in una notte speciale, che sorprende e incanta grandi e piccini.
Una storia che scalda il cuore e ci ricorda che dietro ogni tradizione si nasconde un significato profondo.

Piaciuto: Sì Sì Sì

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un bel libro che racconta la Befana per quello che è: irriverente, scaltra, burlona, magica e... soprattutto di buon cuore. Perché se anche porta il carbone a qualcuno, è comunque un dono pieno di magia.
Io e mia figlia abbiamo apprezzato sia il racconto che l'ultima parte del libro, nella quale vengono riassunte in poche parole le leggende che gravitano intorno alla figura della Befana (assolutamente italiana, ma con tante corrispondenze in giro per l'europa) così da introdurle con semplicità anche ai bambini.
Lettura consigliata!

[Cam · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5) Beaucoup de texte et un univers graphique/une morale assez singulières.