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Beauty And The Beast
In exchange for her father's life, Beauty agrees to go live with a Beast in his castle far from her home. The Beast grows very fond of Beauty. She is kind, noble-hearted and smart. As she learns more about the Beast and his sad history, Beauty comes to respect and trust him. This retelling of the beloved fairy tale will capture your heart as you watch the Beast get transformed by Beauty's love.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 14, 2010
This is considered one of the 'original' Beauty and the Beast stories. Originally written in 1756, this version was written with children in mind and is considerable shorter and easier to read than the very first version (Villeneuve, 1740). This particular translation (the original is in French) was done in 1978. The illustrations are beautiful and feel very European. They alternate between black and white and color. This version definitely focuses on the virtue of the protagonist. Through her industrious nature and devotion to her family, she is rewarded with a perfect life. According to surlalunefairytales.com, this version is less tangential and more focused than the Villeneuve.
Compelling passages and illustrations:
At the end when Beauty find beast in a heap with the castle in the background. The two page spread is beautiful.
Some of the black and white pictures look like wood block cuts, they're so stark.
One of the ways you can tell that this is an older version is that there is punishment for the 'bad' sisters
The fairy who cast the spell appears at the end which is unusual and provides some backstory
Perhaps because it is translated and because it was written so long ago, but the language is complicated and beautiful
Questions for read alouds:
What do you think of the sisters? Are these round characters or flat characters?
What do you think Beauty's reaction to her father's problem (not crying)? How would you react?
What does Beauty mean that Beast she prefers him to men who hide a corrupt heart?
Why is Beauty so confused about what to do about returning to the Beast?
The language in this version is probably too high for most younger children and would need a lot of scaffolding or within-reading defining. That said, the story is well laid out and the theme is definitely obvious and the dominant literary element. I would definitely use this in conjunction with other versions to pull out the different themes and compare which elements are brought to the fore and which remain secondary.
Compelling passages and illustrations:
At the end when Beauty find beast in a heap with the castle in the background. The two page spread is beautiful.
Some of the black and white pictures look like wood block cuts, they're so stark.
One of the ways you can tell that this is an older version is that there is punishment for the 'bad' sisters
The fairy who cast the spell appears at the end which is unusual and provides some backstory
Perhaps because it is translated and because it was written so long ago, but the language is complicated and beautiful
Questions for read alouds:
What do you think of the sisters? Are these round characters or flat characters?
What do you think Beauty's reaction to her father's problem (not crying)? How would you react?
What does Beauty mean that Beast she prefers him to men who hide a corrupt heart?
Why is Beauty so confused about what to do about returning to the Beast?
The language in this version is probably too high for most younger children and would need a lot of scaffolding or within-reading defining. That said, the story is well laid out and the theme is definitely obvious and the dominant literary element. I would definitely use this in conjunction with other versions to pull out the different themes and compare which elements are brought to the fore and which remain secondary.
December 10, 2015
I had never read this before, was barely familiar with the story. Although it is an adaptation for children, this has fast become a favorite. I loved it!!
January 4, 2021
Another simple read, but a really good take on the classic. I believe the retelling is good, however, the backstory of the Beast has some issues. Firstly, part of what makes the original special is Beauty's changing Beast's heart. He was already "kind-hearted", however, so there was no growth for his character. Also, the Beast was said to be kind-hearted, and that was true for most of the book, and yet he still was ridiculous about a rose to Beauty's father. If he's supposed to be changed already, then make him a full good character. I liked the additions to the family, but Beauty's brothers had virtually no role in the story, and they weren't needed. Her sisters were a cool new take on the story and I enjoyed the impact that they had. The details in writing were beautiful, a great balance of not too much and not too little. It had the perfect pace for me as well, which shocked me from such a short story. Of course, as an illustrated classic, I have to comment on the artwork. Yes, the art was simple, but it was just the right fit for this story and I thought it to be very beautiful! Overall, I would recommend this as an easier read or to a younger audience!
August 3, 2019
I read this abridged children's version of Beauty and the Beast to my daughter at her behest because she loves Disney Princesses. I was surprised to find this version has fairies and a much more positive and meaningful ending than the 'just marry the Prince' message the Disney movies seem to convey.
April 13, 2023
This tells the classic beauty and the beast story where Beauty trades her freedom for her dads life. She begins to trust the beast and soon after they fall in love. The beast is transformed from his rough outside and becomes his original self but with a bigger heart. Phenomenal story, I love the movie and the book.
October 29, 2022
It was fun rereading this again. A nice short read to make me feel accomplished for finishing something... which I haven't done in a bit. Love to see the differences from this and the Disney movies of it, and show how different it is yet similar to them.
September 29, 2020
Great childrens chapter book
May 17, 2024
I liked this version, and the kids did too!
November 30, 2024
A good read so far. Especially that this will be the inspiration for the final book in my own book series. Knowing some details helped with the context.
December 2, 2025
I love this story and the fairytale ending!
December 31, 2025
It was beautifully captivating, yet very simple and easy to read quickly.
February 17, 2026
This was a very cute children's retelling of this story. I enjoyed this quick read
February 25, 2011
This story is so famous because of the Disney movie, but it has a charm the movie does not. The story loses context by removing Beauty's siblings from the story, and the "sin" of her father by stealing the rose after the Beast was kind to him. I'm glad I reread it, it had been a long time. It's a fairy tale with a direct message about honor and friendship and the meaning of love. The only part I did not like about it is that the Beast says the fairy that enchanted him was evil, but then she comes in at the end and is nice to everyone but the evil sisters. And I don't like that she says she'll turn them into statues and Beauty does not stick up for them. They are unhappy in their marriages and I feel it would have been more in line with Beauty's character to say, "Please send them home with their husbands, that will be punishment enough, especially as they will know I have found such happiness."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2011
I had read Robin McKinley's version and found it underwhelming, and was curious about one of the 'original' versions of this story so picked up this one. It was a nice short fairy tale, and paired with watching the movie recently on the Disney Channel, I think I'm pretty much done with this story for a while.
May 3, 2011
Genre: Transitional Book/Fiction/Beast Tale
This is a classic, but it still reminds me of the Mickey Mouse Monopoly where the kids are entranced by it and the results can be an abusive relationship
This is a classic, but it still reminds me of the Mickey Mouse Monopoly where the kids are entranced by it and the results can be an abusive relationship
July 18, 2016
I read this to complete a reading challenge. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite Disney movies, and I knew that this adaptation wouldn't be the same but it's not one of my favorites. I understand that the target is mostly for kids so the writing didn't really bother me.
October 6, 2010
This book is about a girl named beauty so she found true love that all i gonig to say about this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2011
A poor cousin to the Disney story line with thin characters, poor development and clumsy timing. Not recommended.
Read
March 8, 2011Perfect for my 5 year old. We all loved it!
April 17, 2011
D's pick for classic study. A great book to teach about judging outward appearances. My kids loved it.
January 23, 2015
Last Read January 2014
January 22, 2011
not as good as i thought it would be, but still a classic
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews