Another Review at MyShelf.Com

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
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Excerpt
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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.
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