The Jewel Heart [Hardcover]

Berger (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Pavelle, a lovely dancing doll, comes to the aid of her beloved musician doll, Gemino, after he is injured while running to play his violin for her to dance and a woodrat steals his jeweled heart.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Borrowing classical stage traditions for its themes and characterizations, this original tale speaks of unrequited love and romantic transformations. The voiceless Gemino, a Pagliacci-style clown, has only a jewel for a heart. He plays his violin for his beloved ballerina, Pavelle, whose appreciation for him seems to end with his haunting music. But when Gemino lies listless in a heap after a tragic fall, Pavelle is desperate to "fix" him. Aided by the animal shadows, she stitches new clothes (with a spider's web for thread and a thistle's spine for a needle) and patches him together. But Gemino needs a new heart. The shadow spirits offer a "brown seed... dull and plain." Pavelle plants it in Gemino's chest, her tears watering it. When Gemino wakes and plays a new song, a living bud replaces his jewel heart. It is, however, Pavelle who has changed most. The style and soft palette of Berger's (Grandfather Twilight) acrylic paintings exude the familiar prettiness of a fairy tale, but her dramatic storytelling and gossamer imagery elevate the work to the elegance of opera or ballet. A substantial story that will blossom with repeat readings. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Gemino has a jewel for a heart but no voice. Instead, he sings with his violin as he plays for the ballet dancer Pavelle. One day, he is injured, and Pavelle rushes to his side. She finds him in tatters-lifeless-his heart stolen by a woodrat. Using spider's thread, dandelion down, and pieces of shadow, Pavelle replaces his hair and sews him a new suit. Lacking a jewel, she then places a plain brown seed inside his chest, watering it with her tears. Gemino finally awakens, playing like never before, and the seed of his heart flowers into a symbol of the depth of the love that he and Pavelle share. A gentle story of the healing power of love, this will appeal to those young listeners who can leave the world of logic behind and willingly step into the realm of fantasy. The story is set on a stage in the forest; the performers are jointed dolls; and the audience is comprised of a variety of woodland creatures. As with Berger's Grandfather Twilight (Philomel, 1986), nature plays a prominent role. Drawn in soft watercolors, enlarged shadows of flora and fauna surround the wounded Gemino and assist Pavelle in her efforts at restoring life to him. Their pastel tones contrast strongly with the primary red of the young woman's costume, adding an ethereal, magical quality to the work. Reminiscent in mood of Margaret Wise Brown's Wait Til the Moon Is Full (HarperCollins, 1948), the book can be used with a group but is better for one-on-one sharing.
Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, Wheeler School, Providence, RI
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (September 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399226818
• ISBN-13: 978-0399226816
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,667,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely exquisite book to illustrate for children love, c, February 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewel Heart (Hardcover)

This extraordinarily beautiful story teaches children the healing and transforming power of love and compassion. My three-year-old granddaughter was enchanted by it; she wanted it read over and over. Although I got it from the public library, I plan to purchase my own copy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Children's Book, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Jewel Heart (Paperback)

My 6-year old daughter and her friends are enthralled with this lovely book. We've read it many times and they never seem to tire of the story of the kind ballerina, Pavelle, and her dear friend Gemino. The illustrations are works of art and have a wonderful ethereal quality to them. Ms. Berger is a truly talented author and illustrator.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a dancer's heart, August 24, 2001

By 

NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Jewel Heart (Paperback)

"The Jewel Heart" is not my favorite book by Barbara Helen Berger. It is the first book by her that I've read that has not blown me away. Still, I can see quite clearly how a book like this would move the heart of a dancer.

Both my wife and daughter have danced some ballet. So I was not surprised when my daughter really enjoyed this book.

This little tale about the relationship between Gemino and Pavelle is quite interesting. Like the rest of Berger's stuff, it is a clear enough story to read once to a child. At the same time, it is deep enough to bear some reflecting on by mature kids and mature adults.

I wish I could give "The Jewel Heart" three and a half stars. It is, like all of Berger's books, worth reading. It is just not my personal favorite. That said, I recommend it.