The Legend of Old Befana
by Tomie dePaola
List Price:
Our Price: $9.58
You Save: $7.42 (44%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.10 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Tomie dePaolaEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1980-09-02
ISBN: 0152438165
Number of pages: 32
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Book Reviews of The Legend of Old Befana
Book Review: "On the 22nd Day of Christmas.....You, Too, May Be Very Surprised!"
Summary: 5 Stars
Written 30 years ago, this Christmas legend presents the story of an old grandma who meticulously takes care of her home and surroundings, as if that was all life had to offer her. Living in a small village in Italy, she kept to herself and seemed unfriendly. The children called her cranky; they remarked that she was always sweeping, starting with her house, her front step, the walkway to the street, and down to the road. Those who passed her house would notice sounds of a woman singing lullabies, and they would sense a delicious smell of freshly baked things, like bread and cookies, and cakes. Every day, the routine was the same, ending up with locking the door and shuttering the windows, climbing into bed, blowing out the lamp and falling asleep.
One night, she awakened to a bright light, right in the middle of the night. When she went to look out the window, she saw a brilliant star growing before her eyes. She mumbled, "How will I ever get my sleep when the dark has turned into day?" Without sleep, she remained in bed; the next morning, she was up, sweeping, just as she always had done. Now, as she swept the path down to the road, she heard bells ringing, birds singing, and she saw a glorious procession of animals and people walking down the road. Three men wearing crowns were dressed in beautiful robes, and when they approached her asking for the way to Bethlehem, she said she never heard of it. They told her they were searching for the Child. She told them that there were many children [in town], and she continued sweeping.
They told her this Child is a King, and would be guided by a bright star. All she could say was that that star kept her up all night, and that she had to get back to her work. When they invited her to come with them, she kept on sweeping for a while, and then went back into the house and began baking, and thinking about what had happened. Later that night, she filled the basket with cakes and cookies and candles she had made, adding a few hot coals to keep the cookies warm. As she began to leave, she decided to take along her broom so she could sweep the room clean for the Baby's mother. She got side-tracked with that old broom, and put aside her basket, and began her usual routine of sweeping her house, and the path to the road.
By the time she was finished, the procession that was to take her with was gone, and the sky was filled with light; the angels were singing, that "The new King is born. Tonight is the Night of Miracles." All of a sudden, as she started running, asking the angels for help in finding the New Born King, she was lifted into the sky, carrying her basket and her broom. Now, she was running in the sky, on this night of Miracles. Well, she never did catch up with the kings and the procession, and she never found the Child in Bethlehem. It is said, that every January 6th, she runs across the sky, visiting all the children while they sleep, leaving them gifts from her basket, and, yes, sweeping their rooms, clean. She says that she never knows which child might be the Baby King of Bethlehem.
As you read this legend, what do you learn from Befana's obsession with her work; she didn't see or notice what was right there before her very eyes. Yet, even though she missed seeing the Baby, she spent the rest of her life looking for Him. Be aware of surprises from God, wherever and whenever He gives them to you. Maybe someone will walk into your life as a gift from God. Be watchful; expect surprises. Don't wait to put down your broom or whatever else is keeping you busy.
Literature Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Literature Books
A Beautiful Feast for a Big King Catby John Archambault, Bill, Jr. Martin
HarperCollins Publishers; Published: 2000-11; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $19.95
Racso and the Rats of NIMHby Jane Leslie Conly
HarperCollins Publishers; Published: 1986-05; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $48.99
Goodnight Moonby Margaret Wise Brown
HarperCollins; Published: 1947-09-03; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $84.72
A Fine, Fine Schoolby Sharon Creech
HarperCollins; Published: 2003-12-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.44
Price in other shops:
Listening for Lionsby Gloria Whelan
HarperCollins; Published: 2006-10-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.58
Price in other shops:
Ruby Hollerby Sharon Creech
HarperCollins; Published: 2003-12-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
The Winnie-the-Poohby A.A. Milne
HarperFestival; Published: 2003-09-23; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
Christmas in the Barnby Margaret Wise Brown
HarperCollins; Published: 2007-10-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
The Whipping Boyby Sid Fleischman
Harper Collins Publishers; Greenwillow Books; Published: 2003-04-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.97
Price in other shops:
FOX IN SOCKS - A Tongue Twister for Super Childrenby DR SEUSS
Collins & Harvill Press; Published: 1966; Hardcover; Book
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
The Legend of Old Befanaby Tomie dePaola
Houghton Mifflin Company; Sandpiper; Published: 1980-09-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.41
Price in other shops:
Joy to the World: Tomie's Christmas Storiesby Tomie dePaola
Putnam Juvenile; Published: 2010-10-14; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $13.36
Price in other shops:
Strega Nona's Giftby Tomie dePaola
Nancy Paulsen Books; Published: 2011-10-18; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.21
Price in other shops:
The Night of Las Posadas (Picture Puffins)by Tomie dePaola
Penguin Group USA; Puffin; Published: 2001-09-24; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.26
Price in other shops:
The Legend of the Poinsettia (Mexican Folktale)by Tomie dePaola
Putnam Juvenile; Published: 1994-10-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $10.21
Price in other shops:
Christmas Around the Worldby Mary D. Lankford
HarperCollins; Published: 1998-10-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.82
Price in other shops:
The Clown of Godby Tomie dePaola
Harcourt Children's Books; Published: 1978-09-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $9.08
Price in other shops:
Strega Nonaby Tomie dePaola
Books; Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers; Published: 2010-08-31; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $103.44
The Legend of the Poinsettiaby Tomie dePaola
Puffin Books; Puffin; Published: 1997-10-06; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.28
Price in other shops:
Merry Christmas, Strega Nona (Voyager Books)by Tomie dePaola
Spring Arbor/Ingram; Sandpiper; Published: 1991-09-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.15
Price in other shops: