The Legend of Old Befana
What's This Book About
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 little world will never be the same.
What Kind of Book is The Legend of Old Befana
Reviews
I love the illustrations by this well-known author/illustrator! This story explaining the Italian legend of Old Befana seems like it would be particularly fun for those with Italian heritage that are familiar with this holiday legend.
This gorgeously rendered telling of a legend in Tomie dePaola's signature style is a refreshingly different perspective of the night of baby Jesus' birth. The illustrations are amazing, and the story sweet.
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The Creative Behind the Book
Tomie dePaola is one of the most popular children’s book authors and illustrators of our time and the winner of the 2011 Children’s Literature Legacy Award for “significant and lasting contribution to children’s literature,” 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.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781481477635
- Publication Date
- November 7, 2017
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Original Publication Date
- September 2, 1980
- Text Details
- The text for this book was set in ITC Cerigo Std.
- Illustration Details
- The illustrations for this book were rendered in colored inks and watercolor on Cotman 140 lb. handmade watercolor paper.
- Page Count
- 32
- Word Count
- 1205
- Audience
- Picture
- Reading Age
- 4 - 8 years
- Lib. of Congress (LCCN)
- 2016039502
- Lexile® Level
- 540L
- Est. Fountas & Pinnell Level
- ~N
- ATOS® Book Level
- 2.9
- Accelerated Reader® Points
- 0.5
- Accelerated Reader Quiz
- 52166
- Accelerated Reader Interest Level
- LG
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