4 1/2- this is a very odd and strange book but O really enjoyed it and wanted to read it multiple times. ( )

The Jewel Box Ballerinas is about a girl named Bibi that buys two of everything. She goes into a store one day and sees the jewel box with the two ballerinas but sees that the ballerinas have frowned faces so she buys them and decides that she is going to do everything she can in order to get those frowns turned into smiles. ( )

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. ( )