The Legend of Old Befana
Acceptable with guidance. Age: 7+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Old Befana is a grumpy old woman who sweeps all day. One night three kings pass by on the way to see the Baby Jesus, and she will not go with them. Then she is sorry, bakes sweets, and goes looking for Him, leaving treats for children. It is a sweet way to talk about the Magi and about not putting Jesus off. But Befana is an Italian legend, not someone in the Bible, and the publisher calls her search endless. Tell your child that much. One age: 7, set by Lumen's read-alone age; the publisher says 4 to 8.
For parents
Age 7+, set by Lumen's read-alone age; the publisher says 4 to 8. Read it aloud from 4, near Epiphany. Say plainly that the Wise Men are in the Bible and Befana is an old Italian story. Ask why Befana said no, and what we put ahead of Jesus. He is easy to find: in church, in the Eucharist, in the poor.