The Jewel Box Ballerinas (edition 2007)

Review: This book is about a lady named Bibi who owns and buys everything in twos, but she has no friends. One day when she goes to the store Bibi sees a gold jewel box and inside it are two ballerinas that spin, but they have frowns on their faces. Bibi is determined that once she buys the jewel box she is going to do everything she possibly can to make the ballerinas smile again. Bibi makes costumes for the ballerinas, she buys them lots of gifts, and she takes them to different countries all over the World. Throughout the different travels the ballerinas faces start to shine brighter ever day, but they still have not smiled. One day as Bibi is purchasing souvenirs the ballerinas fall out of Bibi's arms and she does not notice until she gets home. Bibi immediately goes searching everywhere. Bibi finally finds them, and when she does the ballerinas begin to small and grow into real sized girls. Bibi is now happy because she has two best friends.

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Genre Critique: This book is a good example of a fantasy because in the story things happen that could not happen in real life. For example, the little ballerinas would not have any feelings and thoughts in real life like they do in the book. Also in the story the ballerinas slowly regain their smile as they travel different places. Dolls in real life cannot do that. Also dolls cannot magically become life size and be able to talk and move. All of these different characteristics make this a good modern fantasy. ( )

The main character, Bibi Branchflower, was in love with herself and her many possessions, but her affection and attention manages to take a turn to the two sad ballerinas in her jewel box. She travels the world to try and find the key to their happiness which she finds out is only her love and friendship. I loved this book and would use it in my classroom! ( )

This is about a rich old women who buys everything she wants in twos yet she doesn't have any friends. She ends up buying a jewel box with two ballerinas in it that are unhappy. She tries to make them happy by bringing them all over the world. They end up being friends in the end, and all happy. ( )

This story is about a wealthy lady who is so rich, she has two of everything. Bibi Branchflower has so many materialistic things but no friends. She finds herself to be very lonely until one day she purchases a music box with two dancing ballerinas inside. She is happy about this and disregards the store owners warning about the sad ballerinas. Once she realizes how sad they are she takes them on an adventure around the world to try and find things that will make them smile. In the end what makes them happy and come to life is not all the souvenirs and gifts, but the love and care they get from Bibi. This is a story about how money cant buy everything and about how a little tlc can really change a person. ( )

Bibi Branchflower is a crotchety old woman who is so wealthy she can have two of everything. Two limos, two houses, even two little pugs. But Bibi is also unhappy. When she finds a lovely jewelry box in a shop, she is upset that it's a unique item, until she opens it and finds two sad little ballerinas. Despite the owner's warning, Bibi purchases the box and sets off on a quest to cheer the dancers up.

RESPONSE: The book tries to convey the "money cannot buy happiness" theme, especially since the expensive items Bibi gives to the box does not cheer her dancers up. Instead, it is when Bibi loves the figures that they come to life, and give Bibi love in return. Like the story "Pygmalion", the important transformation is that of Bibi, not the dancers.

THEMES/CONCEPTS: love, generosity, happiness