About This Book
"The Christmas Witch" by Ilse Plume retells the traditional Italian legend of La Befana, a kind witch who, instead of Santa, brings gifts to well-behaved children on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). The story begins with Befana as a poor peasant woman who embarks on a journey to find the Christ Child, a quest that leads her to her eternal role as a gift-giver. This gentle chapter book offers a beautiful introduction to a lesser-known but deeply cherished European Christmas tradition, highlighting themes of kindness, perseverance, and the joy of giving. It's a wonderful way to broaden a child's understanding of global holiday customs.
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.
Discussion Prompts
1
What are some different ways people celebrate holidays around the world?
2
If you could be a magical gift-giver, what kind of gifts would you bring and to whom?
3
How do you think Befana felt when she first started her journey, and how do you think she feels now?
4
What traditions does your family have during the holidays, and what makes them special?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.