The Jewel Box Ballerinas
by Monique De Varennes
Illustrated by Ana Juan
The Jewel Box Ballerinas is a gorgeous book, in tone, content and illustration. It has magic, friendship,
and wild locales - what more could you want in a picture book? The Jewel Box Ballerinas is the story of
Bibi Branchflower, a wealthy woman with two of everything except friends - she doesn't even have one. When Bibi
finds a jewel-encrusted music box with two perfect ballerinas inside, she must have it, even though it comes
with a bit of a magical curse. The box was created by a sorcerer who poured his heart and magic into the box to
make it the perfect gift for his spoiled niece. When she rejected the gift, it broke the wizard's heart. Since
then, the tiny ballerinas inside have been too sad for anyone to bear owning. Bibi isn't bothered by that, she
simply must have the box. But the tiny ballerinas slowly claim Bibi's heart and she finds she'll do anything to
try to make the ballerinas happy again. Through this Bibi learns the lesson that the sorcerer's niece needed so
badly, to care more for someone else than yourself. The transformation in Bibi is delightful to watch as the book
unfolds as she goes from snooty rich lady to lively, fun adventurer - all to cheer the little ballerinas. The
illustrations are just amazing: whimsical and complex without being heavy. The reader can find something new
with every pass through the book. My eight-year-old loved the story with its magical happy ending, and she's a
tough audience for picture books these days. I've caught her paging through the book several times since our
first reading, just enjoying the beauty of the illustrations. The story might be a little complex for the
younger end of the readership age, but for young school aged children, it's truly enchanting. |
The Book |
Schwartz & Wade Books/ Random House |
September 2007 |
Hardcover |
0375836055 / 9780375836053 |
Picture Book Age Group: 4 - 8 |
More at Amazon.com |
Excerpt |
NOTE: |
The Reviewer |
Jan Fields |
Reviewed 2007 |
NOTE: Reviewer Jan
Fields is the editor of Kid Magazine Writers emagazine and has written dozens of
stories and articles for the children's magazine market. |
|