What do you think?
Rate this book
Disney Princess Beginnings / Disney Before the Story #2
Belle's Discovery
Before Belle went to the enchanted castle and met the beast, she was a young girl, and this is her story. At age 7, Belle is happy living at home with her father. But at school she feels like an outsider. Then one day she discovers a run-down bookshop. Determined to bring the store back to life, Belle shows all her classmates how wonderful books and stories are. Children ages 6 to 9 who are independent readers will love this new Disney Princess chapter-book series featuring full-color illustrations!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2017
46 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
January 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this tale as an adult reader. It's a delightful look at Belle as a child and seeing her try to find a friends in the village. I loved the forgotten bookstore and all the different types of stories in those books. The illustrations are wonderful too.
May 4, 2017
***Actual Star Rating: 2.75***
First of all this was definitely a good book and one that I would say could have a stand in the Disney world if there were a bit more matches from it to the Disney original animated film for longtime Disney fans. Instead to keep up with their beloved Disney Princesses franchise this book has been generated to allow for more sales in that department while also giving those who buy into its materialistic gain a chance to get to know some of our favorite princesses when they were younger such as what challenges did they face, how did they respond and allowing them a stronger heroic role than what they were allotted in their movies.
But I digress. First of all the book is definitely a great book for young readers who are just getting into chapter books for each chapter is basically short with a few brightly done illustrations scattered throughout to offer a break. Furthermore most of the words used are short and easy to understand thus allowing for a much easier read although in some areas the younger readers may need help with such words as perhaps bonjour, magnifique and provincial. And for others who are fans of the film they will find occasional film jewels added into the writing such as "Be our guest" and "provincial town" to somewhat tie it together.
Although the book does allow for us to have a chance to get into the younger Belle and what she may have been like there are just too many loose ends that I don't like. First of all if we were keeping accurate with the times then there probably wouldn't have been a village school as many children weren't educated, especially girls. So yes Disney is at least pushing something good but at the same time not historically accurate, especially when you consider that even the Triplets in the film were most definitely not educated (although the same can be said of their younger selves).
At the same time I was disappointed not to see a younger Gaston who seemed more or less like he belonged to the village more so than Belle (if you consider the original Belle and her father they were transplants), and was a main villager in the films . Although he may have made the book a bit harder to wrap up so friendly and clean it ended up being a snub towards him. At the same time by making Belle be the village sweetheart it takes away from the fact that in the film when we next see her she is considered strange and weird enough that Disney made a point to emphasize the fact that she was alone in the whole village by the coloring of her dress.
And finally my last complaint is focused around the bookstore itself. As the book claims there is only one bookstore in the whole of the village but it is run by a woman who goes by a masculine name. So what happened to the original shopkeeper who in the film is a man and seems like he has been there forever or at least long enough that he has learned Belle's reading habits as well as her own history in the village?
Otherwise the writer(s) did a wonderful job in bringing to new generation readers a wonderful story that has many good bits of wisdom about finding a place to belong even while being yourself, books and exploring. So if you aren't a diehard film fan or one who worries much about stories differing from actual matching then this can be a true enjoyable fast read if you are for the Disney Princess empire.
First of all this was definitely a good book and one that I would say could have a stand in the Disney world if there were a bit more matches from it to the Disney original animated film for longtime Disney fans. Instead to keep up with their beloved Disney Princesses franchise this book has been generated to allow for more sales in that department while also giving those who buy into its materialistic gain a chance to get to know some of our favorite princesses when they were younger such as what challenges did they face, how did they respond and allowing them a stronger heroic role than what they were allotted in their movies.
But I digress. First of all the book is definitely a great book for young readers who are just getting into chapter books for each chapter is basically short with a few brightly done illustrations scattered throughout to offer a break. Furthermore most of the words used are short and easy to understand thus allowing for a much easier read although in some areas the younger readers may need help with such words as perhaps bonjour, magnifique and provincial. And for others who are fans of the film they will find occasional film jewels added into the writing such as "Be our guest" and "provincial town" to somewhat tie it together.
Although the book does allow for us to have a chance to get into the younger Belle and what she may have been like there are just too many loose ends that I don't like. First of all if we were keeping accurate with the times then there probably wouldn't have been a village school as many children weren't educated, especially girls. So yes Disney is at least pushing something good but at the same time not historically accurate, especially when you consider that even the Triplets in the film were most definitely not educated (although the same can be said of their younger selves).
At the same time I was disappointed not to see a younger Gaston who seemed more or less like he belonged to the village more so than Belle (if you consider the original Belle and her father they were transplants), and was a main villager in the films . Although he may have made the book a bit harder to wrap up so friendly and clean it ended up being a snub towards him. At the same time by making Belle be the village sweetheart it takes away from the fact that in the film when we next see her she is considered strange and weird enough that Disney made a point to emphasize the fact that she was alone in the whole village by the coloring of her dress.
And finally my last complaint is focused around the bookstore itself. As the book claims there is only one bookstore in the whole of the village but it is run by a woman who goes by a masculine name. So what happened to the original shopkeeper who in the film is a man and seems like he has been there forever or at least long enough that he has learned Belle's reading habits as well as her own history in the village?
Otherwise the writer(s) did a wonderful job in bringing to new generation readers a wonderful story that has many good bits of wisdom about finding a place to belong even while being yourself, books and exploring. So if you aren't a diehard film fan or one who worries much about stories differing from actual matching then this can be a true enjoyable fast read if you are for the Disney Princess empire.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
3 stars. Cute, my kids enjoyed listening to me read a little snippet of Belle's backstory trying to save the supposedly haunted bookshop in her town.
February 18, 2017
Speaking as an adult reading the book I enjoyed it. It's a book I could see myself reading to a kid of mine. It has a great lesson to learn from. Plus it keeps with the original base line of Beauty and the Beast so it really works!
August 20, 2025
5 ⭐️ per my 8 year old
March 1, 2018
This book is really sweet.
It's about a young Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, before the events of the movie. She is a little girl who feels like an outcast until she discovers the local bookstore that everyone thinks is closed. Belle's Discovery teaches a lot of lessons about friendship, love, and never giving up hope. A great story that has a lot of heart.
The thing that concerns me about a lot of children's media today is that they do not teach good lessons. It's all about your latest crush, or the newest technology, or getting what you want. However, this series, Disney Princess Beginnings, teaches genuine lessons that connect with young readers.
Although this series focuses on younger characters, the reading level itself is at a fourth grade level. I also find that students in grades 2nd through 5th enjoy this series. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages!
Other titles in the series so far are Cinderella Takes the Stage, Ariel Makes Waves, Jasmine's New Rules, and Tiana's Best Surprise. The next book, Aurora Plays the Part, is set to be released in Fall 2018.
It's about a young Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, before the events of the movie. She is a little girl who feels like an outcast until she discovers the local bookstore that everyone thinks is closed. Belle's Discovery teaches a lot of lessons about friendship, love, and never giving up hope. A great story that has a lot of heart.
The thing that concerns me about a lot of children's media today is that they do not teach good lessons. It's all about your latest crush, or the newest technology, or getting what you want. However, this series, Disney Princess Beginnings, teaches genuine lessons that connect with young readers.
Although this series focuses on younger characters, the reading level itself is at a fourth grade level. I also find that students in grades 2nd through 5th enjoy this series. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages!
Other titles in the series so far are Cinderella Takes the Stage, Ariel Makes Waves, Jasmine's New Rules, and Tiana's Best Surprise. The next book, Aurora Plays the Part, is set to be released in Fall 2018.
August 10, 2018
Pakkohan kirjasta, jossa luetaan innokkaasti ja pelastetaan kirjakauppa, on pitää.
October 2, 2018
That was very cute! A lovely story, though I was expecting more talk of books, it's a sweet little tale and I loved the illustrations.
May 3, 2025
Belle’s my favorite princess and I just loved her beginning story. The saving bookstore felt just like her… and a bit like me. It was so adorable
July 24, 2023
My favourite book of the series. It's always a lovely pleasure to read more about Belle. And this is a great chapter book. 12 Chapters. Read-along book with beautiful narration.
Belle helps more than she knows; an old lady, and old shop, herself, and the village kids.
✨✨✨✨✨
Belle helps more than she knows; an old lady, and old shop, herself, and the village kids.
✨✨✨✨✨
February 16, 2020
“(...) She sat down on the floor, leaned back against the shelf, and began to read. From the first sentence, she was in love.(...)”
I could relate so much with this sweet story! Just like Belle in this book, while growing up I felt like I didn’t fit in any group of kids in my school, so I took refuge in the stories of my favorite books!📖💗
After finding out the old bookshop of the city and it’s owner, Madame Hugo, Belle finally feels like she belongs somewhere! She spends her days reading and getting to know Madame Hugo and her cat, Tom, so it’s with great shock that she finds out that the bookshop that she loves so much is about to close doors and it’s up to Belle to find out a way to save it and bring the bookshop and it’s stories, back to life!☺️ Will she be able to do it? If you want to know how it ends, then you really should pic up this book! It’s so worthy to have in your collection!!🤗
I’ve read this book in less than an hour! So captivating and sweet, and the illustrations made by Disney Storybook Art Tram only complemented the story written by Tessa Roehl even more!
It was lovely to see an young Belle, already so passionate, kind and day-dreaming, always with her head in a book and her heart in her mouth!🥰 It also made me want to get all the other books from this dreamy collection Disney Princess Beginnings just so I could immerse myself once again in the wonders of this new fairytales! 🥰
I could relate so much with this sweet story! Just like Belle in this book, while growing up I felt like I didn’t fit in any group of kids in my school, so I took refuge in the stories of my favorite books!📖💗
After finding out the old bookshop of the city and it’s owner, Madame Hugo, Belle finally feels like she belongs somewhere! She spends her days reading and getting to know Madame Hugo and her cat, Tom, so it’s with great shock that she finds out that the bookshop that she loves so much is about to close doors and it’s up to Belle to find out a way to save it and bring the bookshop and it’s stories, back to life!☺️ Will she be able to do it? If you want to know how it ends, then you really should pic up this book! It’s so worthy to have in your collection!!🤗
I’ve read this book in less than an hour! So captivating and sweet, and the illustrations made by Disney Storybook Art Tram only complemented the story written by Tessa Roehl even more!
It was lovely to see an young Belle, already so passionate, kind and day-dreaming, always with her head in a book and her heart in her mouth!🥰 It also made me want to get all the other books from this dreamy collection Disney Princess Beginnings just so I could immerse myself once again in the wonders of this new fairytales! 🥰
April 10, 2020
As an adult reader I actually found myself quite enjoying this book! Don't get me wrong it was a very quick read but then the book is aimed at children so that is to be expected.
This tale of Belle as a child really stayed true to the character that we know and love in Beauty & the Beast. Belle knows she is different from her schoolmates and longs to have something in common with them. However, her original tendencies to learning and invention always shine through: a trait the other children label as odd.
I really appreciated the small nods to the famous Disney film throughout this book: the triplets in their different colour dresses and Maurice's familiar inventions make the reader comfortable in this provincial town and truly settle in to the story of Belle as a child.
Naturally the tale has to revolve around books and I would be disappointed if it didn't. The transformation of Belle into "the girl who could" mirrors that of the town's neglected bookstore and her childlike determination is inspiring.
Both the writing and the illustrations are perfect in this book. Sadly there is no mini gaston but that would have probably been too obvious and trite.
A great book for children (and big kids) alike.
This tale of Belle as a child really stayed true to the character that we know and love in Beauty & the Beast. Belle knows she is different from her schoolmates and longs to have something in common with them. However, her original tendencies to learning and invention always shine through: a trait the other children label as odd.
I really appreciated the small nods to the famous Disney film throughout this book: the triplets in their different colour dresses and Maurice's familiar inventions make the reader comfortable in this provincial town and truly settle in to the story of Belle as a child.
Naturally the tale has to revolve around books and I would be disappointed if it didn't. The transformation of Belle into "the girl who could" mirrors that of the town's neglected bookstore and her childlike determination is inspiring.
Both the writing and the illustrations are perfect in this book. Sadly there is no mini gaston but that would have probably been too obvious and trite.
A great book for children (and big kids) alike.
May 3, 2021
Though these "Young Disney princess" books are intended for 5-8 year old readers, I liked the first one I tried so much (Mulan's Secret Plan, my first book of this year), I didn't hesitate at all to give this one a chance. Sadly this one didn't work anywhere as well as that first one.
Mulan's Secret Plan was like the best fanfic out there. The characters were perfectly right, but they were put in a new situation. We got to see what Mulan would do in situations other than the movie.
Belle's Discovery was like that kind of fanfic where the author just writes the book or movie exactly as it happened, just in their own words. Nothing new. Doesn't feel fresh. To me, that kind of fic (and this book) are sort of pointless. Belle did sound exactly like she does in the movies, but the situation she was in (saving a book store) was nothing new.
In this book, she had to get other kids interested in books, so they'd bring their parents in, and the bookstore would be saved. I had to think for a moment to be sure that hadn't actually happened in the movie.
I guess I'd give another book of this series a try (they're such fast reads, why not). But if the third one is more like Belle's than Mulan's then I'd give up on the series.
Mulan's Secret Plan was like the best fanfic out there. The characters were perfectly right, but they were put in a new situation. We got to see what Mulan would do in situations other than the movie.
Belle's Discovery was like that kind of fanfic where the author just writes the book or movie exactly as it happened, just in their own words. Nothing new. Doesn't feel fresh. To me, that kind of fic (and this book) are sort of pointless. Belle did sound exactly like she does in the movies, but the situation she was in (saving a book store) was nothing new.
In this book, she had to get other kids interested in books, so they'd bring their parents in, and the bookstore would be saved. I had to think for a moment to be sure that hadn't actually happened in the movie.
I guess I'd give another book of this series a try (they're such fast reads, why not). But if the third one is more like Belle's than Mulan's then I'd give up on the series.
August 15, 2018
I found this tale of Belle saving a forgotten and failing book shop engaging and far more interesting than many books at this grade level. Maurice had wonderful advice for her when she was feeling like she was too odd and different for their village. He isn't the bumbling inventor from the movie but an extremely kind and wise mentor and father. All of the children Belle feels so isolated from turn out to be just as weird in their own ways as Belle. And at the end all the children with all their different interests and personalities come together to save a place that in Belle's opinion (and mine) should be precious to the entire community.
On the other hand my 7 year old found this book boring as she told me countless times as we read through it. It took us longer than other books this length to get through because she would get extremely antsy as we took turns reading it towards the end which we were only doing because I could not get her to sit down and finish it herself. Though she reads many different chapter book series on her own this one just did not click with her. Not enough happened over the course of the book to keep her interested.
On the other hand my 7 year old found this book boring as she told me countless times as we read through it. It took us longer than other books this length to get through because she would get extremely antsy as we took turns reading it towards the end which we were only doing because I could not get her to sit down and finish it herself. Though she reads many different chapter book series on her own this one just did not click with her. Not enough happened over the course of the book to keep her interested.
August 1, 2017
Sometimes you want to read to relax but you don't want something you have to focus on very much so a kid's chapter book about one of your favorite Disney characters is the perfect solution. This was cute, especially since it was a book all about books but it didn't really fit with what we know happens with an adult Belle. In this book she is attempting to get all of the villagers into the local book shop. Spoiler alert....
it works. All of her classmates and their parents show up to the grand reopening and are buying books and reading and they just love it. But if that was the case then why does the Beauty and the Beast movie start with a teenage/adult Belle getting made fun of for reading?
So although the book was a cute and easy read it doesn't work with the world Disney had established for Belle.
it works. All of her classmates and their parents show up to the grand reopening and are buying books and reading and they just love it. But if that was the case then why does the Beauty and the Beast movie start with a teenage/adult Belle getting made fun of for reading?
So although the book was a cute and easy read it doesn't work with the world Disney had established for Belle.
February 23, 2021
I adored this story Belle has always been my favourite ever since I was a little girl and this story shows exactly why I love her. She’s smart, brave, independent, individual and loves reading.
In this story Belle starts to feel really alone when none of her classmates seem to like her as she’s so different to them, but she walks into the abandoned looking book shop and her world opens up but it’s to close and she instantly feels In her heart she has to save it.
It was great learning a bit more of how her love of books started and how connected to her books she really is. It was great seeing her determination at a young age and her passion for what she believes in.
The illustrations in this book are phenomenal and adorable, I loved seeing young belle and all her classmates so cute. I really enjoyed this book so much, it was precious, sweet and had a great simple story.
In this story Belle starts to feel really alone when none of her classmates seem to like her as she’s so different to them, but she walks into the abandoned looking book shop and her world opens up but it’s to close and she instantly feels In her heart she has to save it.
It was great learning a bit more of how her love of books started and how connected to her books she really is. It was great seeing her determination at a young age and her passion for what she believes in.
The illustrations in this book are phenomenal and adorable, I loved seeing young belle and all her classmates so cute. I really enjoyed this book so much, it was precious, sweet and had a great simple story.
November 30, 2023
Belle's Discovery is a cute prequel story to the animated movie Beauty and the Beast.
As a story for kids, it's easy to read and a delightful tale for the bookishly inclined. It has a good lesson and is mildly entertaining.
However, it falls short as a prequel to the movie for two reasons. First The book shop owner should be a man not a woman as seen in the movie itself.
Second the peculiar and looked down upon woman of the opening song can not be the same little girl who makes friends and finds a place to belong in her community.
I will not apologize for over analyzing a kid's book based on a kid's movie.
As a story for kids, it's easy to read and a delightful tale for the bookishly inclined. It has a good lesson and is mildly entertaining.
However, it falls short as a prequel to the movie for two reasons. First The book shop owner should be a man not a woman as seen in the movie itself.
Second the peculiar and looked down upon woman of the opening song can not be the same little girl who makes friends and finds a place to belong in her community.
I will not apologize for over analyzing a kid's book based on a kid's movie.
February 18, 2017
Charming children's chapter book about Belle's childhood discovery of the local book shop. True to what the original Disney film hints at, Belle has little in common with the other kids in the village. She feels alone, until she discovers what the kids say is a haunted bookshop. Seemingly abandoned, Belle recruits her classmates to bring it back to life, discovering and enjoying all kinds of stories along the way. There are various illustrations throughout the book. Fans of Beauty and the Beast of all ages and beginner chapter book readers will enjoy this tale.
December 27, 2017
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was well-written and had numerous funny parts. We see Belle as a child who is trying to find her place within the village. Many of her peers think she is strange. Once she enters what is thought as an abandoned bookshop, a whole new world is opened up to Belle. She is able to use her imagination more and find comfort within the pages of the books she reads. However, she learns that the book shop is to be sold, along with the books. She works together with her peers, once she's opened their eyes to books, to save the book shop.
January 13, 2019
Belle, one of my favorite characters I love the book. There was only just one think that I don't think it matches with what "will happen next" in beauty and the beast. In the movie there was not an actual "bookshop" according to the movie the people in the village didn't read and though those stories were silky, but here it is like finally the whole village get well together and go to bookshops. That is the only thing that makes me a little disappointed because it contradicts that from the movie. Besides that everything was perfect😍🌸🌺✨🌟💖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2019
It’s really fascinating reading children’s books every now and then.
Teaching us good moral lessons with small but wonderful stories.
Here is Belle’s story about her childhood days.
It makes me happy that in some ways...Belle as a child also has these problems about acceptance from her fellow classmates.
A young Belle, teaches us about not giving up once you have set foot on something that makes you happy.
Also makes us see that no matter how different you are to other people, that means you are just unique and that makes you beautiful...that you shouldn’t ashamed but be proud of it. :)
Teaching us good moral lessons with small but wonderful stories.
Here is Belle’s story about her childhood days.
It makes me happy that in some ways...Belle as a child also has these problems about acceptance from her fellow classmates.
A young Belle, teaches us about not giving up once you have set foot on something that makes you happy.
Also makes us see that no matter how different you are to other people, that means you are just unique and that makes you beautiful...that you shouldn’t ashamed but be proud of it. :)
September 28, 2025
Love how Maurice and Belle are each others encourages and cheerleaders. Belle's love of stories allows her to see the world different but leads to not having much in common with her classmates who like life and outlooks to be the same as theirs. Love how Belle shares her discovery of the abandoned bookstore to help her classmates with their interests discover them in books in the bookstore that brings it back to life. I loved the pictures
February 23, 2020
Belle discovers a bookshop in her small provincial town but it's boarded up and no one goes there! Belle befriends the owner, Hugo, and finds a way to get the town interested in books again.
Probably my favorite from this series. I've been reading these out loud to my daughter. They're quick and fun chapter books with illustrations.
Probably my favorite from this series. I've been reading these out loud to my daughter. They're quick and fun chapter books with illustrations.
September 27, 2025
3.5 stars. This is a sweet story about young Belle. She has a hard time making friends in school because she is different. She finds a "haunted" bookstore with a grouchy-ish old lady. She finds out a little bit more about the bookstore and then hears that its in danger of closing. Belle helps save the bookstore and bring life back to the owner. So cute!
December 31, 2017
Really enjoyed reading this with my girls! Belle is my favorite Disney princess and it was fun to hear a story from her her childhood. Cute children’s book! Will have to check out the others in this series with my girls. Great for mommy daughter story time.
November 15, 2017
I don't know if anyone would count this for their reading challenge but like one of my friends said, "a book is a book." This is a really cute story. I love Belle, she's one of my favorite Disney princesses. This book is set when she was a kid.
July 26, 2018
Really cute! Another great addition to the series. I enjoyed Belle's story a lot. It felt very true to her character in the movie. I enjoyed seeing the connections between the original animated film and the new live action one. Definitely a great choice for young readers.
February 10, 2020
Will Belle be able to save the bookshop in time? Will she be able to find something in common with her classmates for them to be willing to help her save the bookshop? Find out in this installment of Disney Princess Beginnings!
February 27, 2020
I guess for a cutesy chapter book it's okay. Belle is my favorite Disney princess so I was excited to read this aloud with my daughter. Cute colorful illustrations, large font, thick and sturdy pages. We'll probably be reading the rest of the series since kiddo is such a fan.
June 29, 2020
There's nothing to it. It's cute, though it points to mass plot holes (where were all these friendships when the movie takes place? Did these people just disappear between now and then?)
but it wasn't written for me, Miss 7 loved it and that's all that matters
but it wasn't written for me, Miss 7 loved it and that's all that matters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews