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The Other Side of the Story
No Lie, I Acted Like a Beast!: The Story of Beauty and the Beast as Told by the Beast
OF COURSE you think I was a filthy, nasty beast, terrorizing poor Beauty and her father. You don't know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you...
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
259 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Loewen
195 books48 followersNancy Loewen grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota, surrounded by library books and cats. She's published more than 140 books for children. FOUR TO THE POLE (co-authored with polar explorer Ann Bancroft) and THE LAST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN were Minnesota Book Award finalists. Her WRITER'S TOOLBOX series received a Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Publishers.
Nancy lives in Saint Paul and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She has two adult children and a cat who sometimes bites her knees under the table as she writes.
Nancy lives in Saint Paul and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She has two adult children and a cat who sometimes bites her knees under the table as she writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 11, 2017
This version of Beauty and the Beast is told from the perspective of Prince Elmer (the Beast). Apparently, he was a really shy person and was trying to come out of his shell by auditioning for the role of the Troll from the Three Billy Goats Gruff. He was accidentally rude to an old woman (because he responded in character as the troll) who happened to be a real, evil, fairy who turned him into a beast.
When Beauty's father unexpectedly spends the night and then cuts a rose the next morning, the Beast sees an opportunity to get some permanent company because he is lonely. Beauty comes instead and the two of them share a love of theater and fall in love creating shows. The story ends with Prince Elmer and Beauty getting married and opening the "Prince Elmer School of Beastly Good Acting."
I always enjoy reading stories that take an alternative perspective than the typical main character. While I find it difficult to believe that an evil fairy was at an audition just to curse someone to become a Beast, it is an interesting thought. It also can lead to a discussion about how we sometimes say things we don't really mean because we were either distracted or not paying attention. It could be a good lesson about the importance of listening to the speaker and thinking before you speak.
The illustrations were done in a realistic cartoon style and I liked how the pictures were broken up on the pages and sometimes part of the text. The text fonts were also changed based on what was being said and how it was stated. For example, when Prince Elmer is discussing how he prepared for his audition everything is in large, bold font. When he yells at the fairy, everything is capitalized. The characters were also put into a clearer focus than objects and scenery in the background which helped draw my focus to the important aspects of each image.
When Beauty's father unexpectedly spends the night and then cuts a rose the next morning, the Beast sees an opportunity to get some permanent company because he is lonely. Beauty comes instead and the two of them share a love of theater and fall in love creating shows. The story ends with Prince Elmer and Beauty getting married and opening the "Prince Elmer School of Beastly Good Acting."
I always enjoy reading stories that take an alternative perspective than the typical main character. While I find it difficult to believe that an evil fairy was at an audition just to curse someone to become a Beast, it is an interesting thought. It also can lead to a discussion about how we sometimes say things we don't really mean because we were either distracted or not paying attention. It could be a good lesson about the importance of listening to the speaker and thinking before you speak.
The illustrations were done in a realistic cartoon style and I liked how the pictures were broken up on the pages and sometimes part of the text. The text fonts were also changed based on what was being said and how it was stated. For example, when Prince Elmer is discussing how he prepared for his audition everything is in large, bold font. When he yells at the fairy, everything is capitalized. The characters were also put into a clearer focus than objects and scenery in the background which helped draw my focus to the important aspects of each image.
November 3, 2020
No Lie, I Acted Like a Beast!: The Story of Beauty and the Beast as Told by the Beast, by Nancy Loewen adds a twist to the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast because it tells the backstory of how the prince became cursed. According to the story, the prince was cursed to look like a beast after going too far with his act one day and offending an evil fairy who was disguised as an old woman. It’s a cute tale that I’m sure some children would enjoy. However, the Beast’s story is not very convincing. It provides a rather weak and far-fetched explanation of how the curse came to be. Further, the prince’s character is not well developed and the story feels rushed. For example, on the first page, the reader learns from the prince that he is quite shy. But, on the very next page, he decides that he is not going to be shy anymore after seeing a newspaper ad about a theater audition that he suddenly feels he must attend. “I decided then and there,” he proclaims, “that I was done being shy. I was going to find my voice – as an actor!”
The language is simple enough for younger children to understand on their own, and the storyline is pretty straight-forward. The strongest part of the book are the illustrations. The facial expressions and body language of the characters do a great job of supporting the text. The images are also colorful and look similar to those of older, more traditional story versions. Although, the story itself feels a bit more modern because the Beast is an actor. In fact, once he and Beauty get married, they open an acting school.
I found this book by doing a Google search for various versions of Beauty and the Beast. This one caught my eye because it is told from the Beast’s perspective. I was able to access it through a temporary Kindle Unlimited subscription. I had no issues with reading it in digital format. Both the text and images were as clear as they would be in a regular book format. Though it is officially recommended for children ages 4-8, I would recommend it for ages 5-7. Because of the simplistic language and plot, I would recommend it for independent reading. Also, because of the illustrations and message in the story, I would also recommend it as a read aloud or characterization study. Beauty is a Caucasian girl with long, reddish-brown hair and green eyes, so I think this version would resonate more with students of a similar racial background.
The language is simple enough for younger children to understand on their own, and the storyline is pretty straight-forward. The strongest part of the book are the illustrations. The facial expressions and body language of the characters do a great job of supporting the text. The images are also colorful and look similar to those of older, more traditional story versions. Although, the story itself feels a bit more modern because the Beast is an actor. In fact, once he and Beauty get married, they open an acting school.
I found this book by doing a Google search for various versions of Beauty and the Beast. This one caught my eye because it is told from the Beast’s perspective. I was able to access it through a temporary Kindle Unlimited subscription. I had no issues with reading it in digital format. Both the text and images were as clear as they would be in a regular book format. Though it is officially recommended for children ages 4-8, I would recommend it for ages 5-7. Because of the simplistic language and plot, I would recommend it for independent reading. Also, because of the illustrations and message in the story, I would also recommend it as a read aloud or characterization study. Beauty is a Caucasian girl with long, reddish-brown hair and green eyes, so I think this version would resonate more with students of a similar racial background.
June 28, 2025
I love the theme of Another Point of View and am delighted to have discovered this series. I believe it's important children learn empathy - and if they can giggle while doing so, and share stories with their families, too, well, all the better! Includes back matter.
This particular episode is more 'fractured' than 'another pov.' The story is changed too much for me to round up to four stars. I do still recommend it though and will keep reading others in the series!
This particular episode is more 'fractured' than 'another pov.' The story is changed too much for me to round up to four stars. I do still recommend it though and will keep reading others in the series!
May 16, 2013
It was ok. The jokes weren't as good as others in this series. I found the Snow White book to be way funnier, but oh well.
May 19, 2019
This version of Beauty and the Beast is drastically different than any version I have read of this text. Told from the Beast's perspective, this story tells the tale of a shy prince who had a love of theater. He decides that he wants to "find his voice-as an actor" (pg. 6) and decides to audition as the troll in a local play Three Billy Goats Gruff. As the young prince ultimately practices his troll like behavior, he is met by an old poor woman asking for food. Ultimately he yells at her (out of troll habit) and she places a spell on him in which he is doomed to a life of beastliness until a woman falls in love with him.
As the prince awakens from a spell of passing out, he finds himself in a castle with beautiful things, but is all alone. He attempts to perform one man act shows for the animals in the garden, but is still lonely. Finally, a traveler comes to seek shelter in the Beast's castle, and the Beast made sure that the old man was comfortable and fed, all while remaining hidden. As the man attempts to leave the next morning, the Beast tricks the man into staying with him forever as a way to repay his kindness for the hospitality. The man agrees but wishes to say goodbye to his family, but promises to return. The old man's daughter, Beauty returns with the man and exchanges herself for her father. Beauty and Beast enjoy their time together and share their love for theater as they perform acts together for the animals in the garden. One day, Beauty asks to visit her family and Beast says she must come back, or he will die. She returns to find Beast on the floor, playing dead, and Beauty professes her love for Beast. The spell is broken and the two live happily and together open the Prince Elmer School of Beastly Good Acting.
This version seems to serve as a fractured fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast as it contains some of the elements from the traditional tale (the spell from the spinster, the rose in the garden, the young girl exchanging herself for her father as a prisoner, and the spell being broken by "true love"), but this version puts a modern and theatrical spin to it. This text would be appropriate for elementary students as they could compare and contrast the elements of this version as compared to other versions and retellings of Beauty and the Beast.
As the prince awakens from a spell of passing out, he finds himself in a castle with beautiful things, but is all alone. He attempts to perform one man act shows for the animals in the garden, but is still lonely. Finally, a traveler comes to seek shelter in the Beast's castle, and the Beast made sure that the old man was comfortable and fed, all while remaining hidden. As the man attempts to leave the next morning, the Beast tricks the man into staying with him forever as a way to repay his kindness for the hospitality. The man agrees but wishes to say goodbye to his family, but promises to return. The old man's daughter, Beauty returns with the man and exchanges herself for her father. Beauty and Beast enjoy their time together and share their love for theater as they perform acts together for the animals in the garden. One day, Beauty asks to visit her family and Beast says she must come back, or he will die. She returns to find Beast on the floor, playing dead, and Beauty professes her love for Beast. The spell is broken and the two live happily and together open the Prince Elmer School of Beastly Good Acting.
This version seems to serve as a fractured fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast as it contains some of the elements from the traditional tale (the spell from the spinster, the rose in the garden, the young girl exchanging herself for her father as a prisoner, and the spell being broken by "true love"), but this version puts a modern and theatrical spin to it. This text would be appropriate for elementary students as they could compare and contrast the elements of this version as compared to other versions and retellings of Beauty and the Beast.
October 30, 2025
I found this title on Dr. Quiroa's Beauty & the Beast Goodreads shelf. My local library had a copy so I was able to read it in print, and it was fast-paced & enjoyable. As far as my research shows, this book isn't named for winning any major awards. However, theauthor, Nancy Loewen, has been recognized for other work (Minnesota Book Awards finalist, Bank Street selections, Association of Educational Publishers awards). This fractured-fairy-tale picture book retells Beauty and the Beast from the Beast’s point of view, and defends his character. As he tells his side, he insists he wasn’t actually a monster. He admits that he may have been an overdramatic prince that acted like a beast because he longed to perform on stage. The tone is playful and apologetic, we love a self-aware prince. This book tries to set the record straight on behalf of the beast while the familiar aspects of the fairy tale (the curse, Beauty, the household) are kept short and snappy. Cristian Bernardini’s artwork is full-color, cartoonish, and highly expressive. Each time the Beast is drawn, he is featured with exaggerated facial expressions and theatrical body language. This seems like an intentional choice to support the "I'm an actor" defense that the beast shares throughout. The book itself is quick (only 25 pages), and it has accessible language. I would use this book in 1st or 2nd grade to talk about perspective, and how when the narrator changes, so does the point of the story. A fun writing activity could be to have the students pick a different character and retell the story from their perspective. Non-writers could draw responses and dictate using their active imaginations.
November 2, 2024
I found this book on Goodreads and read it as an ebook from my local library. This is a children’s picturebook with cartoon like illustrations. This story is told from the beast’s perspective of how he came to be and the story of meeting Belle. The story is centered around him being an actor. The plot itself was geared towards younger readers and was very different from the original. The beast became a beast because he started out as a shy boy. One day he decides to try out for the local play and become an actor. He tries out for a monster and while he is practicing is rude to an old woman. Then like the original the old woman turns him into a beast and says only true love may break the spell. The rest of the story follows the outline of the story we know with a stranger coming to his house, getting him to give him his daughter, and her falling in love with him. I think this book would be good for grades K-2 as a read aloud because of some of the humor. I think it would work especially well for compare and contrast in 2nd grade since there are major differences to the original.
March 11, 2024
I read this book because my friend recommended it to me. She had a bunch of different versions of Beauty and the Beast. So I gave them all a try. I would say this one is my least favorite. I felt it was weird. At first, I thought the idea would have been really cool. However, I felt that it was not executed well. This book is all about the Beast's perspective. However, it seems a little bit stretched and out of character for the beast. I know kids would not recognize it though so that is why I gave it 3 stars. I would not add this book to my library because I did not like it that much and would prefer to never read it again if I can help it. I do think that the kids would like this book because of how silly it is. I think the cartoon and the art in the book would appeal well to kids. I do not think that a kid would want to hear this story every single night or day, but I could see kids being entertained and wanting to hear this story from time to time.
November 9, 2021
In this fractured fairy tale, we hear the story of Beauty and the Beast from the Beast’s perspective. Was he really acting like a beast? Or was this all one big misunderstanding? This book is meant for elementary school students and would be great to include in a fairy tale unit. Students will love the silly plot and enjoy hearing the story from the Beast’s point of view. Teachers can use this story to teach lessons about perspective as well as fractured fairy tales. One of the best aspects of this story are the discussion questions at the end. Students could use this story as a part of a book club or guided reading group to practice comprehension skills.
While elements of the traditional tale, such as the happy ever after, remain intact, the author has altered many aspects of the story. Parts of the plot as well as the point of view of the story are changed throughout the story.
While elements of the traditional tale, such as the happy ever after, remain intact, the author has altered many aspects of the story. Parts of the plot as well as the point of view of the story are changed throughout the story.
May 14, 2019
This version of Beauty and The Beast is very similar to The True Story of The Three Little Pigs. It is the Beast telling his version of the story. It is a humorous version that will get the kids laughing. The pictures are engaging and the text is short and to the point. I think this book is a true picture book because the pictures play apart in telling the story. The illustrations are cartoon which add an element of humor when the Beast plays dead and is acting in the park. The illustrator is able to 'characterize' Beast to help the reader understand his emotions throughout the story. I would love to use this in instruction in a primary classroom to compare and contrast the original and this one. It also would be a good lesson to introduce point of view.
February 11, 2021
I found this book from the ultimate list of Beauty and the Beast retelling and adaptations. It stood out to me immediately from the hilarious cover picture and the non-chalant title. This book had me cracking up the whole time! It puts a completely different spin on the traditional tale we are all familiar with. This would be a great book for 1st and 2nd grade to teach about point of view! But could also be a great mentor text for writing projects in upper grades by following the same “out of the box” thinking.
August 19, 2019
I’ve read a couple of these books, and this was my least favorite. It’s not terrible, but I did like the others better. This one could have benefited from a little more fine-tuning I think. But it’s still a fun fractured fairy tale with neat questions at the back for deeper literary thinking for kids (or adults!).
February 17, 2021
No Lie, I Acted Like a Beast!: The Story of Beauty and the Beast as Told by the Beast (The Other Side of the Story) by Nancy Loewen – I’ve read dozens of BatB retellings, and they are my favorite fairy tale. But they don’t usually surprise me, so mad props for this one! Favorite one in the series! I kinda want to write this as a novel…Happy Reading!
June 5, 2018
This was a bit cheesy but it was a cute spin on the story. In this version the beast was never really mean he was just practicing for a play and was rude to the beggar woman on accident. The rest of the story is essentially the same.
August 1, 2019
I love beauty and the beast! The classic but I like this one too!
I love the base story of the original but this one too don't worry! 😀🦄 it's such a timeless well both of the books 📚 really!
I love the base story of the original but this one too don't worry! 😀🦄 it's such a timeless well both of the books 📚 really!
September 26, 2019
This sounds like the beast justifying his actions with lies. But it's about a dramatic prince that was castigated erroneously because he couldn't get out of his theatrical role. Pretty funny concept for a twisted fairy tale.
November 27, 2019
The story was a tiny bit scary,But it turned around!
Because the was scary
I did not like when the Prince acted like he was dead/he passed out.
My dad the most because he is really strong.
Because the was scary
I did not like when the Prince acted like he was dead/he passed out.
My dad the most because he is really strong.
September 15, 2020
Beauty and the Beast told by the beast another great book in this series. I love how the Beast is an actor and never meant to be rude to the old witch who turned him into a beast. A quick fun read that will make you laugh.
April 28, 2022
grade range: 1-3
genre: traditional fantasy
This book was super cute! I really liked its twist on the traditional Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and the perspective of the beast instead of Belle. The illustrations were also very enjoyable to look at. They were cartoon-like but had a lot of detail in them as well. I especially liked the "Think About It" questions in the back of the book that you could use to ask students as well as vocabulary that you could use when talking about a story.
genre: traditional fantasy
This book was super cute! I really liked its twist on the traditional Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and the perspective of the beast instead of Belle. The illustrations were also very enjoyable to look at. They were cartoon-like but had a lot of detail in them as well. I especially liked the "Think About It" questions in the back of the book that you could use to ask students as well as vocabulary that you could use when talking about a story.
November 28, 2017
A good way for kids to learn how to tell a tale from a different perspective. This is very fun.
March 12, 2018
Cute version of Beauty and the Beast. I liked the fact he was an aspiring actor,
Recommended? Sure
Buy/borrow? Borrow
Recommended? Sure
Buy/borrow? Borrow
February 17, 2019
I used this book to teach perspective with second graders. It’s a good read, but the story for perspective isn’t as enjoyable as other books in this series.
August 23, 2019
A very silly, very cute retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The art on each page was just hilarious. xD
May 19, 2020
I’ve liked this one the best so far out of the series, but still feel like each story isn’t quite finished and that bothers me.
October 6, 2020
As an actress, I appreciate this twist on "Beauty and the Beast."
May 26, 2021
This is a good little story from the Beasts point of view. There isn't a ton of content but it works. Kids will think it is funny.
June 5, 2021
Interesting.
June 8, 2021
Meh.
May 21, 2022
I liked it
It was interesting. It was good but I liked the wolf story best. Review by my six year old grandson.
It was interesting. It was good but I liked the wolf story best. Review by my six year old grandson.
August 31, 2022
A retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast but told by Prince Elmer (The Beast). Honestly the story isn't that far off from the original.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews