# The Legend of Old Befana: An Italian Christmas Story - Hardcover

by **Tomie dePaola** (Author), **Tomie dePaola** (Illustrator)

**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.

### Author Biography

Tomie dePaola (1934-2020) was 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 (formerly known as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award), among other lifetime achievement awards. A Newbery Honor winner, he wrote 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 the _New York Times_ bestseller _Quiet_. A native of Connecticut, Mr. dePaola studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Learn more at Tomie.com.

**Number of Pages:** 32

**Dimensions:** 0.5 x 10.6 x 8.5 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** November 07, 2017

**Accelerated Reader:**

**Quiz Name:** Legend of Old Befana

**Interest Level:** Lower Grades, K-3

**Reading Level:** 2.9

**Point Value:** 0.5

## Details

- **Price:** 19.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 19.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- The Legend of Old Befana: An Italian Christmas Story - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-21