Yours, Befana: A Letter from the Winter Witch

"BEAUTIFUL AND FOLKLORIC ILLUSTRATIONS"--YOUTH SERVICES BOOK REVIEW

A perfect Halloween read for kids 4-8, this otherworldly book shares a letter from Befana, the winter witch.

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.

Author: Barbara Cuoghi
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Published: 09/10/2024
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.74lbs
Size: 11.00h x 7.50w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781778401466
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 07/29/2024
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2024
Booklist 09/01/2024 pg. 90

About the Author

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.