About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is curious about the many ways people celebrate the winter season or if they are beginning to ask questions about the origins of Christmas traditions. This gentle retelling of the Italian legend of La Befana provides a soft, historical entry point into themes of regret, persistent hope, and the joy of giving. It is a wonderful choice for families who want to broaden their child's global perspective through folklore. The story follows an elderly peasant woman who misses her chance to travel with the Three Kings and spends the rest of her life searching for the Christ Child. While it deals with a sense of missing out and longing, the narrative remains peaceful and optimistic. It is perfectly suited for children ages 4 to 8, offering a quiet, contemplative alternative to high energy holiday stories. Parents will appreciate Ilse Plume's soft illustrations and the way it explains why Italian children receive gifts in January.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The approach is religious and folkloric. It touches on themes of missed opportunity and the passing of time, but the resolution is hopeful and magical rather than sad. It frames her eternal search as a mission of kindness.
