Download or read book The Legend of Old Befana written by Tomie dePaola and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2017-11-07 with total page 38 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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 world will never be the same.

Download or read book The Christmas Witch written by Ilse Plume and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. This book was released on 1993 with total page 36 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Retells the traditional Italian tale of the poor peasant woman who, long ago, set out to find the Christ Child and wanders to this day, carrying a sack of gifts to distribute to good children at Christmas.

Download or read book Il Bel Centro written by Michelle Damiani and published by Rialto Press. This book was released on 2020-08-09 with total page 514 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A witty and warm-hearted memoir of abandoning fast-paced American days in favor of discovering the Italian secrets of food, community, and life. Moving across the globe meant Michelle Damiani soon found herself untangling Italian customs, delighting in glorious regional cuisine (recipes included), and creating lasting friendships. From grandmothers eager to teach the ancient art of pasta making, to bakers tossing bread into fiery ovens with a song, to butchers extolling the benefits of pork fat, Il Bel Centro is rich with captivating characters and cultural insights. Throw in clinking glasses of Umbrian red with the local communists and a village all-nighter decorating the cobblestone streets with flower petals; as well as embarrassing language minefields and a serious summons to the mayor’s office, and you have all the ingredients for a spellbinding travel tale. Exquisitely observed, Il Bel Centro is an intimate celebration of small town Italy, as well as a thoughtful look at raising a family in a new culture and a fascinating story of finding a home. Ultimately though, this is a story about how travel can change you when you’re ready to let it. With laugh-out-loud situations and wanderlust-inspiring storytelling, Il Bel Centro is a joyous and life-affirming read that will have readers rushing to renew their passports. “This is one of the most beautiful book I’ve ever read.” “I absolutely couldn’t get enough of this book.” “This book made me want to pack my bags.” “I loved, loved this book. Fabulously written, engaging, and entertaining.” “A magical read.”

Download or read book Italian Folk Magic written by Mary-Grace Fahrun and published by Weiser Books. This book was released on 2018-05-01 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this fascinating journey through the magical, folkloric, and healing traditions of Italy the reader learns uniquely Italian methods of magical protection and divination and spells for love, sex, control, and revenge. "Mary-Grace Fahrun's Italian Folk Magic is an intimate journey into the heart of Italian folk magical practices as they are lived every day. Having grown up in an extended Italian family in North America and Italy, the author presents us with the stories, characters, saints, charms, and prayers that form the core of folk religion, setting them in context in an authentic, down-to-earth, and humorous voice. A delight to read!"—Sabina Magliocco, Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia Italian Folk Magiccontains: magical and religious rituals prayers divination techniques crafting blessing rituals witchcraft The author also explores the evil eye, known as malocchio in Italian, explaining what it is, where it comes from, and, crucially, how to get rid of it. This book can help Italians regain their magical heritage, but Italian folk magic is a beautiful, powerful, and effective magical tradition that is accessible to anyone who wants to learn it.

Download or read book 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go written by Susan Van Allen and published by Travelers' Tales. This book was released on 2009-10-01 with total page 458 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Imagine creating your Italian dream vacation with a fun-loving savvy traveler girlfriend whispering in your ear. Go along with writer Susan Van Allen on a femme-friendly ride up and down the boot, to explore this extraordinarily enchanting country where Venus (Vixen Goddess of Love and Beauty) and The Madonna (Nurturing Mother of Compassion) reign side-by-side. With humor, passion, and practical details, this uniquely anecdotal guidebook will enrich your Italian days. Enjoy masterpieces of art that glorify womanly curves, join a cooking class taught by revered grandmas, shop for ceramics, ski in the Dolomites, or paint a Tuscan landscape. Make your vacation a string of Golden Days, by pairing your experience with the very best restaurant nearby, so sensual pleasures harmonize and you simply bask in the glow of bell’Italia. Whatever your mood or budget, whether it’s your first or your twenty-first visit, with 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, Italy opens her heart to you.

Download or read book La Befana written by Aurelia Uriati and published by . This book was released on 2020-08 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One day, Cristina encounters a strange old woman near the market in her village who says she lives nearby on a local hill. When Cristina's family later has a picnic on the hill, Cristina wanders off in search of the strange woman. Will curiosity get the best of her? La Befana is based on the traditional Italian folk tale about an old woman who visits children on Epiphany Eve to deliver presents and candy.

Download or read book La Befana written by Sunday Frey-Blanchard and published by . This book was released on 2007-12 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A poetic adaptation of the tradition of La Befana, and the Italian Epiphany celebration. La Befana is an old woman who hears of the birth of Christ from several visitors who knock on her door late at night looking for supplies and directions to the new "child king". She sends them away, preferring to be left to her cleaning, but then she sees the star in the heavens and has a change of heart. It starts her on a quest and she begins delivering gifts to the children she passes as she searches for the Christ child.

Download or read book The Story of La Befana written by Nadia Cavallo and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 35 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Legend of La Befana. the dear old lady who brings gifts to all Italian children on the 6th January is centuries old. Yet even though she is portrayed as ugly, children see her as giving. Naughty children fear her, yet good children love her. La Befana is greatly celebrated in Italy and all over Europe. There are many versions of her story...this is mine.

Download or read book Keepers of Tradition written by Maggie Holtzberg and published by Univ of Massachusetts Press. This book was released on 2008 with total page 220 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Throughout Massachusetts, artists carry on and revitalise deeply rooted traditions that take many expressive forms - from Native American basketry to Yankee wooden boats, Armenian lace, Chinese seals, and Irish music and dance. This illustrated volume celebrates and shares the work of a wide array of these living artists.

Download or read book Dreaming Sophia written by Melissa P Muldoon and published by . This book was released on 2016-08-17 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dreaming Sophia is a magical look into Italy, language, art, and culture. It is a story about turning dreams into reality and learning to walk the fine line between fact and fantasy. When tragedy strikes, Sophia finds herself alone in the world, without direction and fearful of loving again. With only her vivid imagination to guide her, she begins a journey that will take her from the vineyards in Sonoma, California to a grad school in Philadelphia and, eventually, to Italy: Florence, Lucca, Rome, Verona, Venice, and Val d'Orcia. Through dreamlike encounters, Sophia meets Italian personalities--princes, poets, duchesses, artists, and film stars-- who give her advice to help put her life back together. Following a path that takes her from grief to joy, she discovers the source of her creativity and learns to love again, turning her dreams into reality.

Download or read book The Absolutely True Story of la Befana written by Paolo Mazzucato and published by . This book was released on 2021-11-09 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Part rumor, part folklore and part magical invention, the classic origin story of the Italian Befana and her Christmas Epiphany visit to all children, naughty and nice, is presented here in a colorfully illustrated storybook. Told from an...unusual point of view, myth meets reality as we learn how things "actually" happened that fateful night when three wise guys, or...wise men, came searching for a newborn baby king and got a warm bowl of homemade minestrone instead.Unwilling at first to disrupt her evening plans, the old Befana sends her three visitors on their way, only to realize later that her chance to be part of a greater story of hope in the world is disappearing fast, like slices of freshly-baked panettone at Christmas dinner. Only her own journey that night to deliver her gifts and treats helps her realize that the hope for a better world of peace and love lives in every child. A playful reimagining of a traditional, Italian tale, told through warmth, humor and a few delicious, Italian recipes.

Download or read book The Legend of Old Befana an Italian Christmas Story written by Tomie dePaola and published by Follettbound. This book was released on 1980-09-02 with total page 32 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book La Befana and the Soldiers Or the Christmas Queen written by Edward Ronny Arnold and published by Computer Classics (R). This book was released on 2011-12 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Before Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas, there was La Befana. The name means "giver of gifts" and is based on legendary tales of an old woman who gave sweet breads and treats to children. La Befana visits children during the Festival of the Three Kings. This is known as the twelve days of Christmas and extends from December 25 to January 6. January 6th is the Epiphany. In the country of Italy, the children leave their shoes outside their door. If they were good, La Befana will leave cakes in their shoes. In the country of Mexico, La Befana hides one last present. The children must search for their gifts. In the country of America, La Befana is unknown. There are many versions of the story of La Befana. In these stories, she follows the three kings who follow the star over Bethlehem. The story ends with her search for the three kings. But there is one additional story. It is a story of how La Befana prevented Roman soldiers from following King Herod's command to murder male children under the age of two. It is a story of bravery and trickery; it is a story of faith and compassion. La Befana used her talents of cleaning and cooking to allow families and their children to leave Bethlehem in safety.

Download or read book The Befana Is Returning written by Steve Siporin and published by University of Wisconsin Pres. This book was released on 2022-08-16 with total page 341 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On the night of January 5, in certain areas of southern Tuscany, a costumed, singing troupe of characters visits residents' homes, expecting to be fed and feted. This is the Befanata, a mumming tradition centered in Tuscany, whose main character--the Befana--is a kindly old woman or grandmotherly witch who delivers toys, candies, and gifts. The Befana Is Returning is a deeply researched, deftly insightful presentation of this living tradition that adds a large missing piece to the array of contemporary ethnographic scholarship on mumming.

Download or read book La Befana written by Nesta De Robeck and published by . This book was released on 1932 with total page 31 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Christmas in Italy written by and published by World Book .com. This book was released on 1996 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes the celebration of Christmas in Italy and includes stories, songs, recipes, and craft projects.

Download or read book La Befana and the Star written by Kate West and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "While Children all over the world are unwrapping presents from Santa each Christmas, Italian children are celebrating with La Befana! La Befana and the Star tells the story of the classic legend of La Befana and adds a fun modern culinary twist. When La Befana is out sweeping the village on Christmas Eve and notices the sky is brighter than usual, she looks up and sees a star more brilliant than any she has ever seen. The star inspires so much love in her heart that she is inspired to bake cookies in the shape of stars and share them with children throughout the land. But La Befana makes a surprising discovery. Because she put so much love into the cookies, each person who takes a bite feels that love and for a moment begins to glow from within! You'll meet the angel Epiphany and Befana's friend Martino and you'll find out how it came to be that La Befana is able to deliver so many cookies to so many children all in one night!"--