Yours, Befana

“BEAUTIFUL AND FOLKLORIC ILLUSTRATIONS”—YOUTH SERVICES BOOK REVIEW

This fantastical winter season book introduces children to Befana, the iconic witch from Italian folklore, who steals into children’s homes on Epiphany Eve to fill their stockings with treats and signal the coming of spring.

I come from Forever and Beyond, flying on a witch’s broom. I come to fill your stockings. Make sure they don’t have holes or are mismatched or, worse, dirty. By the way, I have nothing to do with that clumsy oaf dressed in red with his herd of reindeer …

In this magical picture book, the all-powerful and unstoppable winter witch, Befana, shares a letter to children about what happens on Epiphany Eve, or the fifth of January, when she takes to the sky to deliver gifts to all children everywhere.

Befana is as fast as the wind on her broom, dressed in her warmest cloak. Jetting through the winter night, she cannot be seen, but all children know when she’s been there from her gifts of sweets, nuts, and dried fruit, as well as her most precious gift of all: new weather, water, and sun. Because, with Befana’s visit, “begins the celebration of Nature's rebirth.”

A gorgeously-illustrated celebration of witches, holiday traditions, gift-giving, and nature, Yours, Befana makes the perfect bedtime story at Christmastime for readers young and old. At the back of the book, comic-book-style panels share secret facts about Befana: how she came to be all-powerful, her magic skills, and her origins in Greek mythology.

“It’s useless to hide it: I love you all,” writes Befana as she signs her letter with “Yours, Befana.” Befana’s funny, fearsome, and ultimately loving letter is destined to be enjoyed by children and families every holiday season.

Barbara Cuoghi has a PhD in animal biology and has carried out research laboratories and has scientific contributions in national and international journals. In 2006, she obtained her teaching degree and, today, she works as a tenured teacher of mathematics at the secondary school level. She’s always had a special interest in La Befana (she was born on the same day!) and has been passionately researching the life and lore of Befana for many years. She lives in Modena, Italy.

 

Elenia Beretta is an artist, author, and illustrator whose work has appeared in many publications including New York Times, Vogue, Washington Post, and Rebel Girls. She is the author and illustrator of the children’s picture book We Love Pizza! and co-founder of Drawing Nights Berlin (@drawingnightsberlin). She draws artistic inspiration from many sources including films, old photographs, art, and literature. She lives in Berlin, Germany.