Yours, Befana

A Letter from the Winter Witch

Barbara Cuoghi author Genni Gunn translator Elenia Beretta illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Greystone Books,Canada

Published:7th Nov '24

£12.99

Supplier delay - available to order, but may take longer than usual.

Yours, Befana cover


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

Befana is a remarkable character from Italian folklore. On the 6th of January, she flies on a broom through the icy winter sky to visit children and bring them presents. In this stunningly illustrated book, Befana shares her secrets in a letter to all children: how she wears her warmest cloak for the journey, and sips a special soup that makes her invisible when visiting homes. She fills the stockings of some children with sweets, but leaves lumps of coal in others. For people of all ages, she brings the most precious gift of all: the promise of Spring, and nature’s rebirth.

This enchanting story provides:

  • Backmatter with facts about Befana and other winter witch traditions
  • A conversation starter about different holiday and winter traditions around the world
  • Enchanting illustrations that capture the magic of Befana and the beauty of winter
  • Insight into Italian folklore for kids

Destined to become a treasured part of holiday traditions, kids will ask to be read Yours, Befana again and again.



“Beautiful and folkloric illustrations […] for public libraries interested in adding diversity to their holiday or folklore sections."
Youth Services Book Review

“Will certainly add color to a school or home exploration of holiday traditions around the world."
Booklist

“Washed in candy colors, Beretta’s shape-based artwork mixes natural motifs with contemporary geometric human-made environments, modernizing the story’s mythic dimensions. Back matter provides clarifying context.”
Publishers Weekly

“[With] shimmering images… a charming vintage cinematic feel….Intriguing, a refreshingly original Yuletide tale."
Kirkus Reviews

ISBN: 9781778401466

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

32 pages