The Jewel Heart

by Barbara Helen Berger

Having no voice, Gemino cannot sing for his beautiful ballerina, Pavelle, but when he is injured one day, Pavelle's tears touch his wound and somehow magically restore his voice once more. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Music

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1994

About the author

Barbara Helen Berger grew up loving to draw and paint. She studied Art at the University of Washington in Seattle, her home town, where she earned a BFA degree in Painting. During her five years of study, she also went to Yale Summer School of Music & Art, and to Tyler School of Art in Rome, Italy. In Italy she saw the art she had loved from childhood, seen in her father's art books at home.

For ten years after college, she worked as a painter with gallery shows in Seattle. Then beginning in 1980 she turned her focus to children's books. She says, “All along, I loved writing too. My secret wish was to bring art and words together in my own books.”

Her first was Animalia, inspired by illuminated manuscripts (Celestial Arts, 1982, re-issued by Tricycle Press, 1999). Then she went on to create the picture books she is known for, including Grandfather Twilight, considered a bedtime classic, The Donkey's Dream, and A Lot of Otters, (all from Philomel Books). She also wrote and illustrated Gwinna, a fairytale in chapters (Philomel, 1990). In All the Way to Lhasa: a Tale from Tibet, she blended her style with the influence of Tibetan art (Philomel, 2002). And in Thunder Bunny, her newest book, she blends her style with the medium of collage (Philomel, 2007).

Berger's books have won awards for both the art and writing: the Golden Kite Award for Picture-Illustration, Parents' Choice Foundation Award for Illustration, the Children's Book Award from Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and twice a Washington State Governor's Writers Award. Original paintings from her books have been exhibited around the country. She says, “From beginning to end, the process of creating is still my biggest joy.”

Ms. Berger lives on Bainbridge Island, in the Pacific Northwest. She received the honor of an Island Treasure Award in 2006 from the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council.

Reviews

[Andrea Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely beautiful. I love the language, pictures and everything about it. It brings together my daughter's love of dance and my love of music perfectly. One of the great joys in my life is when she will dance while I play. For us this book is completely magical. After getting it from the library we had to go to amazon to get a hardback copy of our own.

[Katy Hypes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So in love with this book I got it when I was in elementary school and kept it on my bookshelf over the years reading it from time to time for a feel good moment. Now I read it to my daughter and hope she will cherish it the same as I did.

[Caroline K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slightly reminiscent of Giselle with the alive, dancing dolls. I think Pavelle is supposed to be acting out of love, but her motivation appears to be a bit selfish. I felt as though she missed Gemino simply because she missed what he did for her.

The illustrations have glowy blues and greens, which is a nice theme.

[Nam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautifully illustrated children's book I've ever read.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

When her musical accompanist, Gemino the doll, has a terrible accident, Pavelle the dancer and the surrounding shadows come to his aid.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good story.

[Hannahgibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot and illustrations have left a lasting impression on me.