The Legend of Old Befana: An Italian Christmas Story - Hardcover

DePaola, Tomie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152438165 ISBN 13: 9780152438166

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1980

Synopsis

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. It is timeworn only by its many versions, and Tomie dePaola's retelling is unique in its resplendent settings and carefully researched detail. His story also broadens the character of the eccentric old recluse of the small Italian village, who is always sweeping. While Befana is sometimes called a witch, Tomie dePaola gives his readers a chance to make their own decisions, imbuing Old Befana with more humanity than most have offered the lonely old woman in her endless search for the Christ Child.

About this title

About the Author:

Tomie dePaola is one of the most popular children's book authors and illustrators of our time and the winner of the 2011 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, among other lifetime achievement awards. A Newbery Honor winner, he has written and illustrated a number of books, including Caldecott Honor book Strega Nona and its companions, as well as Oliver Button Is a Sissy; The Legend of Old Befana; The Clown of God; Michael Bird-Boy; Andy, That's My Name; and Quiet. A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in New London, New Hampshire. Visit him online at Tomie.com and TomiesBlog.Blogspot.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 1980
• ISBN 10: 0152438165
• ISBN 13: 9780152438166
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32