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.