The Legend of Old Befana

Description

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.

Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps with her broom. “Cranky old lady,” the children say. “She is always sweeping!” Sweep, sweep, sweep.

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 will never be the same.

Befana is permanently focused on housecleaning and has a reputation of unfriendliness. The Three Wise Kings ask her for directions to Bethlehem, and invite her to join them, but she she has too much work to do. Later she decides to bake and follow, but spends all day in preparation. When she finally sets out she can not find them. She is still looking and can be seen on the Feast of the Magi crossing the sky in search of them.