Belle Powers' Locket

by Joanna H. (Joanna Hooe) Mathews

"Belle Powers' Locket" by Joanna H. Mathews is a children's novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around a young girl named Belle Powers, who aspires to be a "sunbeam"—a source of joy and kindness to others. Through Belle's interactions with her father and her friends, including the spoiled and willful Mabel, the narrative explores themes of compassion, personal growth, and the challenges of navigating friendships. The opening of the tale introduces Belle as a bright and cheerful child who is engaged in a conversation with her father about the nature of being a sunbeam by spreading happiness. As they discuss her friends Maggie and Bessie, we see Belle's natural inclination toward kindness and her desire to emulate their positive attributes. However, the narrative quickly shifts to the arrival of her cousin, Mabel, who embodies the opposite traits—selfishness and misbehavior—which causes tension between the two girls. This initial clash sets the stage for Belle's struggle with her feelings of jealousy and her efforts to embrace love and charity despite Mabel's challenging behavior.