The rhyming text and colorful illustrations appeal to toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners. Buy a cheap copy of the legend of old befana book by tomie depaola. At italian children s market we believe it is never too early or too late for a child to learn about his or her heritage. Italian anthropologists claudia and luigi manciocco, in their book una casa senza porte a house. Every morning and every afternoon, old befana sweeps. One winters night, a brilliant star awakens her to a passing caravan. As the story goes, one day, the three magi left their country bearing special gifts of gold, incense and myrrh for the newborn jesus christ. Each watercolor illustration is entirely handdone, every brush stroke robust and purposeful.
With epiphany coming up on january 6, weve already read the legend of old befana by tomie depaola several times in our home. It is a tradition that is still strong in italy with many stores selling stockings, mostly red, but sometimes even sandcolored, for the children to leave out for. An italian christmas story, retold and illustrated. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The book is a fun, nonpreachy, simpletoread rhyming story book which talks about how five days of diwali are celebrated. Very short tales with large intricate pictures to illustrate them. Isabella has recently created two additional befana items. She sends them away, preferring to be left to her cleaning, but then she sees the star in the heavens and has a change of heart. Epiphany is a christian holiday honoring the the three kings coming to find baby jesus and marks the end the christmas season. A reclusive old woman named befana sweeps and bakes incessantly, and is heard singing lullabies with no one to love and care for. By the time she is ready to leave, she has to run and run, and shes too old, so the angels take pity on her and scoop her up. She is, for lack of a better way to put it, a witchcomplete with warts, long nose, and, yes, a broomstick.
Inside the globe, theres a cobbled village road and a. The 24paged book also has some fun facts about diwali and a special sloka in sanskrit along. Tomie depaola wrote a lovely childrens book, the legend of old befana. Possibly some of these appeared earlier in life magazine. The befane races, regata delle bafane, are held in venice on january 6.
This book is wonderfully written and has beautiful illustrations. By the time she is ready to leave, she has to run and run, and shes too old, so. Ct childrens author wants to make a holiday tv special. All about christmas free activities mexico italy and. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Browse the legend of old befana resources on teachers pay teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources. This is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her neverending search for the baby king. Before you show it, you may want to build a little background with your students by discussing what italians like to eat meatballs and spaghetti as this video is about meatballs. Together, text and pictures capture the essence of that strange night when three royally dressed men invite befana to join their starled search for the christ child, and she stubbornly.
The kids love seeing the pictures of what italy looks like and what a nativity crib is. 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. Story of diwali introduces the beautiful indian festival of diwali to children. Inside the globe, theres a cobbled village road and a tiny sculpture of wise old befana.
The italian cultural society presents a childrens holiday. 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. 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. I used to buy a new book for christmas to read when my children were young and. The name befana comes from the italian word for epiphany, epiphania. See more ideas about christmas in italy, italian christmas and holidays around the world. Story of diwali a diwali book for children mumma diaries. Volunteers are always needed to help with craft tables, book faire, and other tasks. There is a popular childrens rhyme which describes the arrival of the befana, a kind witch who arrives on the night before the epiphany as legend has it. The legend is that the magi stopped along their long journey, knocking on the door of an old woman to ask directions to bethlehem and to rest. She leaves gifts for children who have been good during the past year and warns those who have misbehaved. Instead of milk and cookies, italian families often leave her a glass of wine and a plate of sausage and broccoli. I read this book to my students every december when i teach christmas around the world. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola with images.
The legend of old befana book by tomie depaola official. We start the week by looking at the italian christmas slideshow. She leaves all the good children toys and candy caramelle or fruit, while the bad children get coal carbone, onions or garlic. My child enjoyed hearing the story repeatedly and looked forward to treats on the morning of january 6th. One, a musical snow globe, evokes a scene straight from the beloved christmas legend. In italian folklore, befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout italy on. Epiphany is the religious observation following christmas of the arrival of the three magi to present their precious gifts to the baby jesus.
The legend of befana began thousands of years ago and remains to this day a tradition practised by italian children and their families. Our carefully selected books, dvds, cds, educational toys, and more, guarantee a friendly introduction to the language and culture of italy. All about christmas free activities mexico italy and germany. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola goodreads. Jan 06, 2009 tomie depaola wrote a lovely childrens book, the legend of old befana. Why do italian children hang up a stocking on the eve of the epiphany. The befana is also related to the mysterious rites of the celtic peoples once inhabiting the whole pianura padana and part of the alps, when wicker puppets were set on fire in honor of ancient gods. The epiphany is when the three kings brought gifts to baby jesus.
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