Five cousins who live in Benevento Italy are being plagued by Janara (witches) Janara are especially likely to appear during mischief season which occurs four times a year. The Janara suck food out of the stomachs of sleeping children, blow all the tiles off the roof, prevent gardens from growing and make all kinds of trouble. One of the cousins Rosa, has been making mischief herself and blaming it on the Janara. Turns out that the Janara don't like being blamed for things they didn't do, and now Rosa is their target, although they are plaguing all the farms in the area.

This is an exciting story of magic and mischief, and name calling! "Donkey Brains"




There is an old fashioned feel to both the story and the illustrations.