The Befana Drama by Gianna Hartwright is sprinkling witch-dust of
the most wondrous kind across the world as its thrilling global adventure by
broomstick introduces youngsters to the amazing and charmed world of VIPBs
(Very Important Present Bringers).
The book, for children aged 8+,
weaves together the festive traditions of Italy (the Befana) and folklore
surrounding Santa. The old witch called
the Befana, is in the middle of sorting out her coal and candy present drops
and her beloved festival when she learns that her postbox is being sealed up
and her festival downsized, "with a view to then cancelling it indefinitely.”
When she hears Santa, to whom she once became engaged at a VIPB conference, is
taking over her patch and also now has a wife called Mrs Claus, her rage sends
candy balls bouncing down the street!
Bear this humiliation she will
not and so she charges up her broomstick with tuber-power and travels around
the world in a quest to regain the hearts of Italian children by collecting
enough coal and candy to take over Santa’s present delivery run.