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The Jewel Box Ballerinas (by Monique de Varennes)

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Gorgeously illustrated friendship fairy tale.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a magical tale of friendship.

Positive messages: Bibi learns to be a friend.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on The Jewel Box Ballerinas

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why Bibi might not have had friends before. What things did she learn about being a friend from the ballerinas? What are the qualities of a good friend? Kids might also want to write a letter to Bibi giving her tips on how to be a friend.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Bibi Branchflower is so rich that she buys two of everything. But she doesn't have even one friend. When she buys a mysterious music box with two spinning ballerinas inside, her life begins to change.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The most striking thing about this book are the gorgeous, detailed paintings that grace every page. A perfect complement to the melancholy fairy tale with an uplifting ending, the illustrations give kids lots to look at. Even the end papers dance with doubles that kids will want to scrutinize.

The marriage of story and illustrator here is superb. While Ana Juan's pictures would shine regardless of the text, the story is enhanced by the extremely stylized characters, somber colors, and mysterious details (the shopkeeper wearing his short fez, for example, and Bibi's big buttons).

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Monique de Varennes
Illustrator: Ana Juan
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Publication date: September 11, 2007
Number of pages: 40
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 8
This review was written by Dawn Friedman
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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