In order to protect her, Dora's parents put anything that might frighten or hurt her into a box and tell her never to open it, but when she eventually does, her life is enriched by what she finds. What would it be like to live in a perfect world? A world without pain or sorrow? Dora, the child of a goodhearted man and woman, knows such a world. She is protected by the wishes her parents made before her birth--wishes granted by a grateful witch. Her parents first asked for a child, next for her to be protected from all evil, sadness, and pain in the world, and lastly for her to be loved by all. The witch gives Dora's parents a box in which to put everything they want to protect her from, as well as a warning that Dora must never open the box, or the wish will come undone. The last wish is up to Dora to complete. As the years go by, Dora's box is filled and Dora never feels pain, or fear, or grief--until the day a boy persuades Dora to open the box. As Dora feels sadness for the first time, the third wish finally comes true, for to be loved by all, she must know pain and sorrow as well as happiness and joy. Inspired by the myth of Pandora's box, this mesmerizing tale, paired with the spectacular paintings of debut illustrator Fabian Negrin, has the depth and beauty of a classic.
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