She initially declined, stating she had too much housework to do. Painting by james lewicki, from the golden book of christmas tales 1956. In italian folklore, befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout italy on. She later changed her mind and went looking for the 3 wise men and the baby jesus, but was unable to find them. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola scholastic. Every morning and every afternoon, old befana sweeps with her broom.
You can find out about the story, history and tradition of the befana. Ronni solbert because she could not find the newborn king of the jews, an old woman gives instead the presents she had intended for him to the children of italy. We read oma and me a christmas story when we study germany, the legend of old befana when we study italy and twas nochebuena for our week studying christmas in mexico. Oct 11, 2014 why do italian children hang up a stocking on the eve of the epiphany. But when a brilliant star glows in the eastern sky one night, and old befana encounters the glorious procession of three kings on their way to bethlehem, her world. The legend of old befana an italian christmas story. She was known throughout the village for her wonderful baking and the cleanliness of her kitchen. But if you were bad, look out you may wake up to a lump of coal. The legend of old befana book by tomie depaola official. In this version, befana spent her days cleaning and sweeping. I also love the magical quality of the christmas witch as it hearkens back to my favorite holiday, halloween.
I read this book to my students every december when i teach christmas around the world. One day the magi came to her door in search of the baby jesus. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola goodreads. It was the morning of january 6, on the day of the epiphany, when the. The christmas season in italy is one that begins with the novena eight days before christmas and lasts until the feast of the epiphany on january 6th. Watch the skies on the night of january 5 th for a hag on a broomstick that might bring you new years gifts and candy or lumps of coal and a lump on your head if youve been naughty this year. Check out our favorite road trip audiobooks for the family. The name befana is a popular version of the greek term epiphany which was the festivity following christmas, commemorating the visit of the magi to the baby jesus on 6th january. An old tale handed down orally is bound to have many variations. According to the legend the three wise men on their journey were stopped by an old woman with a broom who asked them where they were going.
Published on dec, 2017 this is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her neverending search for the baby king. The character may have originated in rome, then spread as a tradition to the rest of italy. In a tale based on italian legend, first published in 1980 and here reissued, old befana spends her days baking and sweeping her house and front steps. The legend of old befana an italian christmas story abebooks. This is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her neverending search for the baby king. The second requirement of a folktale this book meets is that it is based on italian culture. With epiphany coming up on january 6, weve already read the legend of old befana by tomie depaola several times in our home. This happens on the feast of the three kings, january 6th.
One winters night, a brilliant star awakens her to a passing caravan. A reclusive old woman named befana sweeps and bakes incessantly, and is heard singing lullabies with no one to love and care for. The legend of old befana in italy, old befana visits children while. Legend of old befana by tomie depaola book study and craft. This is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her. It is an italianspanish coproduction directed by michele soavi. All about christmas free activities mexico italy and. Befana, who spends all her time sweeping and being cranky, awakens one night, and is surprised by what she sees. Legend of old befana by tomie depaola book study and. These are the three books i use for the month to teach my enrichment units. An italian christmas story and over one million other books are available for amazon kindle.
The italianspanish coproduction was directed by michele soavi and features a 500yearold befana who works as a schoolteacher by day. Indeed, her legend is linked with the one of the three wise men and it dates back to the moment when jesus was born or, more specifically, to about 12 days after that event. Some regions where the religious holiday of the epiphany is held in a higher regard, such as umbria, le marche, and latium, have big festivals and markets, and many people like to dress in costume as befana. She brings candy, toys, books, and fruit to the childr. For sweeping and baking all day long, and singing lullabies to no one at all. In many ways, the story of befana reminds me of the biblical story of mary and martha lazarus sisters. However, this relatively modern tradition pales in comparison to the anticipation generated by the arrival of an old witch in early january. The legend of old befana read online tomie depaola inti. I love the story of the three kings, the biblical tiein to the giving of gifts in a non santaheavy way. According to legend, every year, on the night of january 5th, befana, will travel on her magic broom, to every house in italy. She bakes all day in order to have a gift to bring for the child. The illustrations are soft on the eyes, but full of color and interest. This book is wonderfully written and has beautiful illustrations. A section of this website is dedicated to festa della befana befana festival, which is organised by acli association of catholic labourers in italy situated in santandrea in villis.
When a splendid procession led by the three wise men passes by, a boy invites her to come along to bethlehem to meet the baby king. In this beloved classic picture book, tomie depaola retells and illustrates an italian christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely old befana and her endless search for the christ child. Especially when the day is january 6, the day of the epiphany. Heres an excerpt from my book, letters from italy,that tells my story of celebrating the holiday in rome postcard from rome. His story also broadens the character of the eccentric old recluse of the small italian village. The celebration of befana, who flies across the sky on twelfth night, leaving cakes and cookies for children as they sleep, is a beloved story in europe. On page 1, the author states that the legend of old befana is an italian folktale. In the legend of old befana we meet an old woman who is constantly sweeping.
Christmas in italy will be a great addition to your book boxes in december. If you want to learn more about the festivities in italy, you may also have a look at this article about christmas in rome. One night she receives a visit from three wisemen who are following a. Buy the legend of old befana by tomie depaola illustrator online at alibris. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola illustrator. The italianlanguage christmas fantasy comedy film the legend of the christmas witch italian. The legend of old befana help your kids discover the world with this book and more. See more ideas about italian christmas, italian christmas traditions and christmas in italy. At eataly, we are celebrating her arrival with panettone and pandoro, the traditional italian holiday cakes, and other sweet treats.
The modern day befana is now celebrated throughout italy. Tonights the night this dear signora rides through the night sky, sweeping away last years troubles with her broom, bringing in a bright happy new year to all. Tomie depaola retells this wonderful legend of old befana. Why do italian children hang up a stocking on the eve of the epiphany.
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