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Beauty and the Beast
Generations of children have been fascinated by the story of the girl named Beauty who grows to love a fearsome beast. This acclaimed best-seller, first published in 1978, transports readers into a world of pure magic and mystery.
48 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1978
About the author
Marianna Mayer
68 books76 followersMarianna Mayer lives in Roxbury, Connecticut.
"I see folktales and myths as humankind's first stories," says Marianna Mayer. "They are a kind of collective dreaming, filled with timeless symbols and images we can all relate to, regardless of age or culture. And, much as an oyster must be disturbed by a grain of sand in order for the pearl to be created, I often choose to retell stories in which I find unresolved fragments that are somehow perplexing to me."
Though widely known as a children's book writer, Marianna Mayer's early education focused on visual art. "It seems to me there was never a time when I didn't want to be an artist, " she says. "I liked to tell stories with pictures and compose music. My sister and I put on plays made up from my stories. And then I decided to start writing a book, at the age of nine." She published her first book at the age of nineteen. After college, she studied painting at the Art Students League in New York City. Her experiences as an artist provided many images that she began to incorporate into writing. Gradually, she shifted to the written word as a medium of expression. She explains, "I began to feel more freedom when using words as my paints and plots as my canvases.
"While in the midst of a writing project, I live so much in my mind that what takes place in my imagination becomes quite real to me. I try to become part of the culture of a particular tale as much as possible. While working on Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, for example, I read all I could about Russia. What I learned about Slavic mythology helped to deepen my understanding of the story. I listened to Russian music, ate Russian food (which I love!), and tried in other small ways to enter into the essence of that culture."
"My writing is deeply personal. First and foremost I write for the child who still lives within me. Then to the child in others, whether that child resides in a young person or an adult. I'm striving to reach out to that spirit of wonder within us all. The stories I was told as a child, those half-remembered folktales and myths, have become the foundation for what I continue to work on in my books. The sense of hope that books instilled in me as a child saw me through many difficult times. Because of this, I choose characters who face overwhelming odds but triumph through courage and perseverance. Similarly, myth allows a child to believe in his or her own dreams and can instill a boundless hope for the future."
"I see folktales and myths as humankind's first stories," says Marianna Mayer. "They are a kind of collective dreaming, filled with timeless symbols and images we can all relate to, regardless of age or culture. And, much as an oyster must be disturbed by a grain of sand in order for the pearl to be created, I often choose to retell stories in which I find unresolved fragments that are somehow perplexing to me."
Though widely known as a children's book writer, Marianna Mayer's early education focused on visual art. "It seems to me there was never a time when I didn't want to be an artist, " she says. "I liked to tell stories with pictures and compose music. My sister and I put on plays made up from my stories. And then I decided to start writing a book, at the age of nine." She published her first book at the age of nineteen. After college, she studied painting at the Art Students League in New York City. Her experiences as an artist provided many images that she began to incorporate into writing. Gradually, she shifted to the written word as a medium of expression. She explains, "I began to feel more freedom when using words as my paints and plots as my canvases.
"While in the midst of a writing project, I live so much in my mind that what takes place in my imagination becomes quite real to me. I try to become part of the culture of a particular tale as much as possible. While working on Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, for example, I read all I could about Russia. What I learned about Slavic mythology helped to deepen my understanding of the story. I listened to Russian music, ate Russian food (which I love!), and tried in other small ways to enter into the essence of that culture."
"My writing is deeply personal. First and foremost I write for the child who still lives within me. Then to the child in others, whether that child resides in a young person or an adult. I'm striving to reach out to that spirit of wonder within us all. The stories I was told as a child, those half-remembered folktales and myths, have become the foundation for what I continue to work on in my books. The sense of hope that books instilled in me as a child saw me through many difficult times. Because of this, I choose characters who face overwhelming odds but triumph through courage and perseverance. Similarly, myth allows a child to believe in his or her own dreams and can instill a boundless hope for the future."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
October 29, 2018
I learned about this book from a good friend's blog and went straight to Amazon to find a used copy. Much to my delight, it looks to be a first edition from 1978 (although I'm not sure how many editions there are). The cover was in horrible condition when it arrived as it was falling to pieces. I went ahead and did some tape repair on it. I normally don't like to do that, but this is a book I would like to have available for my children for years to come.
I found this version retold by Marianna Mayer to be fairly simliar to the original French tale. Beauty has three brothers, two other sisters, and they are living with their father, a merchant. Unfortunately there was a huge storm that resulted in the merchant losing all of his ships and cargo. They are poor and it's unknown how they will adjust.
"We will have to work very hard from now on to manage just small necessities."
Of course all of the children complain except for Beauty. Beauty simply doesn't complain no matter what, in fact, it's Beauty who ends up with most of the responsibility around the home because the others think they're too good for work. One day, her father tells the children that he must leave because there's been report that some of his ships were found washed up ashore. Before he leaves, he asks the children what items they would like him to bring back for them and Beauty asks for a simple rose.
While heading through the forest on his trip, the merchant comes to a beautiful palace. He decides to go inside and there he finds food and a warm shelter for the night. When he leaves the next day, he takes a rose from the garden and discovers that he made a big mistake.
"I gave you shelter and food. But you repay this by stealing from me. Prepare to die for your thievery!"
The beast informs him that he must return with one of his daughters or himself. If not, the beast will come and find him. When the merchant returns with Beauty, he begs the beast to reconsider, but Beast will not yield.
The illustrations in this book are so beautiful and I love the way it's written. It's simple and keeps very close to the original. We enjoyed the parts of the tale that my children found different from the Beauty and the Beast they are familiar with. Beauty is still such a brave girl, but she does have an interest in the beast right from the start and her emotions are expressed perfectly in this book.
This is one of my favorite children's books this year! It's definitely a keeper and we're really happy to have it. I'd like to thank Vanessa for bringing it to my attention by sharing it on her blog.
This book is featured on Shabby Sunday @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
October 14, 2022
VERSION: Villeneuve.
ADAPTATION: 5 stars.
ARTWORK: 5 stars. Incredible use of atmosphere and showing characters' emotions.
BEAUTY: Brunette.
BEAST: Feline.
CURSE: An old hag did it, explanation is given.
THE Rs: The relationship goes on for longer and has more interactions onpage, the redemption is very explicitly stated.
KEY ELEMENT CHANGED: The curse: The explanation given is a different one than in the tale.
FAVOURITE SCENE:
Here it is, the "guilty party" for why Disney chose to do their story of the curse of Beast for their animated film like they did, as well as why they gave him anger management issues that he learns to master, as per Jerry Griswold. If you ever wonder why Disney made Beast the way they did, the answer to a few questions is in this picture book.
I've always loved this adaptation for it being the Villeneuve version (albeit heavily simplified, so to the untrained & unfamiliar it might read like Beaumont's with some extras) and for the art. Oh, the art! But it was Professor Griswold who made me an even bigger fan because he put into words what the superb father/daughter team of Mercer and Marianna Mayer intended to achieve. His explanations for the Cocteau influences on the Mayers, the superb use of illustration to complement the text by showing what the text doesn't tell, and the cultural impact it has had since publication were all quite enlightening.
This is the first, and as far as I'm aware, the only one that shows Beast crying, and also the first that created a very symbolic and meaningful visual play between the roses: there's red roses for her and white for him. This is also the first picture book that uses eye contact between Beauty and Beast to signal at what moment these two's feelings change: they can't look each other in the eye until their feelings change. It's all so beautiful and romantic, but also sad and not devoid of a darker side, like when Beast gets really frightening and has to confess he actually hunts for prey, not eat at the table (a detail Disney didn't dare include).
I have a suspicion George R. R. Martin, a tried and convicted (heh) fan of Beauty & Beast all his life, has also drawn inspiration from this picture book. I'll eat my shoe if he hasn't read this. I'll let you guess which characters make me suspect this (hint: George has been rather unsubtle).
I think the only thing I would object to is making Beast responsible for his own curse, because Madame de Villeneuve was clear that it wasn't the prince but the fairy who was at fault. Beaumont never explains the reason for the curse, but it's implied in her calling the fairy "wicked," because that one-word description alone already implies the fault was the fairy's and not the prince's. It'll forever be a sore spot to me, although in time I've grown to be more forgiving of Disney and have accepted Beaumont making it all about the romance, because I was argued into seeing that the core theme still works.
Anyway, what sells this adaptation, artwork aside, is that here the relationship is more believable because there's more dialogue and more interactions. Beauty doesn't fall for Beast in the span of a page or two; they have long dinners followed by conversation, and they talk about all sorts of topics. Beast here is a great storyteller, which Beauty loves. I'm not sure why he was made to possess magic, but given that Villeneuve made him have fairy blood, it's not outlandish but believable, and adds a nice little touch to their interactions given that he uses his magic to amuse her.
It's a beautiful rendition, easily amongst my top 3 favourites, and I'm so glad it survived this reread with flying colours.
ADAPTATION: 5 stars.
ARTWORK: 5 stars. Incredible use of atmosphere and showing characters' emotions.
BEAUTY: Brunette.
BEAST: Feline.
CURSE: An old hag did it, explanation is given.
THE Rs: The relationship goes on for longer and has more interactions onpage, the redemption is very explicitly stated.
KEY ELEMENT CHANGED: The curse: The explanation given is a different one than in the tale.
FAVOURITE SCENE:
Here it is, the "guilty party" for why Disney chose to do their story of the curse of Beast for their animated film like they did, as well as why they gave him anger management issues that he learns to master, as per Jerry Griswold. If you ever wonder why Disney made Beast the way they did, the answer to a few questions is in this picture book.
I've always loved this adaptation for it being the Villeneuve version (albeit heavily simplified, so to the untrained & unfamiliar it might read like Beaumont's with some extras) and for the art. Oh, the art! But it was Professor Griswold who made me an even bigger fan because he put into words what the superb father/daughter team of Mercer and Marianna Mayer intended to achieve. His explanations for the Cocteau influences on the Mayers, the superb use of illustration to complement the text by showing what the text doesn't tell, and the cultural impact it has had since publication were all quite enlightening.
This is the first, and as far as I'm aware, the only one that shows Beast crying, and also the first that created a very symbolic and meaningful visual play between the roses: there's red roses for her and white for him. This is also the first picture book that uses eye contact between Beauty and Beast to signal at what moment these two's feelings change: they can't look each other in the eye until their feelings change. It's all so beautiful and romantic, but also sad and not devoid of a darker side, like when Beast gets really frightening and has to confess he actually hunts for prey, not eat at the table (a detail Disney didn't dare include).
I have a suspicion George R. R. Martin, a tried and convicted (heh) fan of Beauty & Beast all his life, has also drawn inspiration from this picture book. I'll eat my shoe if he hasn't read this. I'll let you guess which characters make me suspect this (hint: George has been rather unsubtle).
I think the only thing I would object to is making Beast responsible for his own curse, because Madame de Villeneuve was clear that it wasn't the prince but the fairy who was at fault. Beaumont never explains the reason for the curse, but it's implied in her calling the fairy "wicked," because that one-word description alone already implies the fault was the fairy's and not the prince's. It'll forever be a sore spot to me, although in time I've grown to be more forgiving of Disney and have accepted Beaumont making it all about the romance, because I was argued into seeing that the core theme still works.
Anyway, what sells this adaptation, artwork aside, is that here the relationship is more believable because there's more dialogue and more interactions. Beauty doesn't fall for Beast in the span of a page or two; they have long dinners followed by conversation, and they talk about all sorts of topics. Beast here is a great storyteller, which Beauty loves. I'm not sure why he was made to possess magic, but given that Villeneuve made him have fairy blood, it's not outlandish but believable, and adds a nice little touch to their interactions given that he uses his magic to amuse her.
It's a beautiful rendition, easily amongst my top 3 favourites, and I'm so glad it survived this reread with flying colours.
May 28, 2020
A classic fairy tale that has been told many times, but this particular version has absolutely gorgeous illustrations.
January 30, 2017
This was goooorgeous! When I was on my K.Y. Craft binge, I read two of Marianna Mayer's picture books that K.Y. had illustrated (The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave). They were my favorite ones story-wise, so I looked into more Marianna Mayer. When I first laid eyes upon this beautiful edition of Beauty and the Beast, I fell in love. The illustrations are so dark, rich, romantic. Who is the artist, I must know!
... wait ... Mercer Mayer? Mercer Mayer? "Little Critter" Mercer Mayer??
Those books were my childhood! Though the Little Critter illustrations are cute (and filled with nostalgia), I was blown away that Mercer Mayer illustrated Beauty and the Beast! They are on a completely different level!
... wait ... Mercer Mayer? Mercer Mayer? "Little Critter" Mercer Mayer??
Those books were my childhood! Though the Little Critter illustrations are cute (and filled with nostalgia), I was blown away that Mercer Mayer illustrated Beauty and the Beast! They are on a completely different level!
February 27, 2015
Four and a half stars. Lovely book. Nice illustrations from Mercer Mayer, who may be better known for his Little Critter books. These illustrations have an entirely different feel. My older son noticed an Egyptian motif theme in the illustrations: statue of Ra on the palace gate, scarab beetle in the black horse's halter, Horus's statue in the garden with hieroglyphs on the base, Anubis carved into the chair backs in the dining room, a sphinx in the palace hall, along with cartouches carved on the balcony and pharaoh-masks on the pillar. Beauty is shown wearing a scarab beetle brooch and ring. I am not sure why the Egyptian theme appears in Beauty and the Beast, but if Mercer Mayer is as taken with Egyptian designs and artwork as my son, then that explains it.
July 21, 2008
The Beast was my first crush. Yet I resented his metamorphosis.
*shakes fist at transfiguring power of love*
Nowadays it just seems a literalism of anthropomorphism. I wanna blame Disney. *sulks*
*shakes fist at transfiguring power of love*
Nowadays it just seems a literalism of anthropomorphism. I wanna blame Disney. *sulks*
July 21, 2024
This was a nostalgic read for me of my favorite fairy tale. I love the illustrations. You can’t go wrong with the classics!
December 29, 2019
Originally published in 1978, and then reprinted in 2000, this gorgeous picture-book has always been one of my favorite adaptations of Beauty and the Beast, itself one of my favorite fairy-tales. Sticking to the basic outline set out in Mme Le Prince de Beaumont's original version - the wealthy merchant with three daughters and three sons, the loss of wealth and family removal to the country, the night-time journey that brings the merchant to the Beast's palace, the plucking of the rose and consequent choice, Beauty's sacrifice, and her subsequent life with the Beast - Marianna Mayer also adds some significant dream sequences (a not so uncommon choice for adapters of this tale, I've discovered) in which Beauty falls in love with a handsome prince who seems oddly familiar.
The result is an engaging narrative that feels fresh, while remaining true to its (unnamed) source material. Of course, as appealing as the text may be, the artwork is even more delightful - an almost perfect embodiment of the story and characters (the only version I have ever seen, that I have preferred visually, is the adaptation retold by Max Eilenberg and illustrated by Angela Barrett). I love Mercer Mayer's fairy-tale artwork, which always reminds me of the work of Trina Schart Hyman, and which never fails to move me, with its exquisite use of color and light, and its deft depiction of its characters' many varied expressions. This Beauty and the Beast is a picture-book classic, and is recommended to any reader who loves fairy-tales, or appreciates beautiful artwork!
The result is an engaging narrative that feels fresh, while remaining true to its (unnamed) source material. Of course, as appealing as the text may be, the artwork is even more delightful - an almost perfect embodiment of the story and characters (the only version I have ever seen, that I have preferred visually, is the adaptation retold by Max Eilenberg and illustrated by Angela Barrett). I love Mercer Mayer's fairy-tale artwork, which always reminds me of the work of Trina Schart Hyman, and which never fails to move me, with its exquisite use of color and light, and its deft depiction of its characters' many varied expressions. This Beauty and the Beast is a picture-book classic, and is recommended to any reader who loves fairy-tales, or appreciates beautiful artwork!
March 22, 2009
I just love the art in this book, I was given "East Of The Sun, And West Of The Moon",the art work is the same in that story as well. The story is a nice version I don't mind reading to my four year old, with wonderfully alive and moving illustration that didn't scare her. Over all I think this is definitely a new favorite.
August 21, 2019
I was looking for the French origin story about and picked this up. Its a retelling that follows the Perrault version where the girl is imprisoned by a cursed beast to rescue her rose stealing father. The family is reduced to poverty after a shipment the merchant father was expecting is ruined. The tired father finds an enchanted castle and is well care for but upsets the owner when he tries to take a flower from the garden. A exchange is made and the daughter agrees to do her fathers life time imprisonment. Everybody is sad except for the 2 older sisters, Belle does her time and is cared for but even a golden cage is still a prison. The beast keeps asking her to marry him and can't get why she's not with it. She starts having these dreams about being with a hottie. Her dad gets sick from missing her and the beast gives her a temporary reprieve. Then it gets weird. Then some magic and happy ending. Um it wasn't what I was looking for but it's not a bad take. I wasn't enamored with the illustrations but they are very good.
May 4, 2015
There was a wealthy merchant that lived with his three daughters and three sons. One day a storm destroyed the merchants ship and cargos which resulted in misfortunes. Beauty was one of the daughters that was very kind and a hard worker. Beauty and her brothers would work on the farm while her sisters considered themselves too beautiful to work. Beauty would never complain and always helped out with the chores. The merchant heard that there was one of his ships that washed up in a nearby port and decided to go in search of any riches he could find. The merchant promised his children gifts in return and promised Beauty a rose. While returning home, the merchant lost his way back home and came across a castle in the forest. The merchant entered the castle to find a place to rest and eat food. As the merchant was leaving, he saw a bed of rose and remembered that Beauty requested a rose. As he was taking the rose the Beast roared and was upset that the merchant decided to steal from him after he provided his shelter and food. The merchant promised one of his daughters to the Beast in exchange for his life. When the merchant returned home Beauty decided to go to the castle to be with the prince.
The illustration in the book has an elegant touch and is drawn with detail. This book teaches the importance in not being selfish and to be kind to everyone despite their looks. I enjoyed this book because it shows how having material things is not important and that we should not take things in our lives for granted.
The illustration in the book has an elegant touch and is drawn with detail. This book teaches the importance in not being selfish and to be kind to everyone despite their looks. I enjoyed this book because it shows how having material things is not important and that we should not take things in our lives for granted.
September 15, 2008
My favorite fairy tale. Viscerally haunting, almost inappropriately passionate for something I fell in love with when I was six.
June 2, 2018
One of my favorite fairy tales, and I love Mercer Mayer's illustrations.
March 21, 2019
This is a picture book retelling of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont.
Beauty breaks the enchantment that transformed a handsome prince into a hideous beast by finally seeing past his appearance and falling in love with him. It exemplifies the classic morals: you can't judge a book by its cover, beauty is only skin deep, and it's what's inside that counts. It also demonstrates the importance of basing "love" on something other than initial physical attraction.
The illustrations are much more memorable than the text. They are lush and complex, conveying an emotional depth. They display a pre-Raphaelite influence. It's hard to believe that the artwork was done by the same illustrator who did the Little Critter series. Even though this story is about seeing past surface appearances, the illustrations are what drew me to the book. As a child, I would check this book out of the library and just look at the pictures.
I'm of two minds when it comes to monster bridegroom tales. On the one hand, I love how they are a testament to the transformative and healing powers of love. On the other hand, I think they give women the false idea that they can change or save someone, which causes them to remain in unhealthy, one-sided, exploitative, or flat-out dangerous relationships rather.
Beauty breaks the enchantment that transformed a handsome prince into a hideous beast by finally seeing past his appearance and falling in love with him. It exemplifies the classic morals: you can't judge a book by its cover, beauty is only skin deep, and it's what's inside that counts. It also demonstrates the importance of basing "love" on something other than initial physical attraction.
The illustrations are much more memorable than the text. They are lush and complex, conveying an emotional depth. They display a pre-Raphaelite influence. It's hard to believe that the artwork was done by the same illustrator who did the Little Critter series. Even though this story is about seeing past surface appearances, the illustrations are what drew me to the book. As a child, I would check this book out of the library and just look at the pictures.
I'm of two minds when it comes to monster bridegroom tales. On the one hand, I love how they are a testament to the transformative and healing powers of love. On the other hand, I think they give women the false idea that they can change or save someone, which causes them to remain in unhealthy, one-sided, exploitative, or flat-out dangerous relationships rather.
August 16, 2018
The tale of beauty and the beast. Not my favorite but it is well known, and popular so I end up reading some version of it more often than not.
This one I think is closer to the original version. Beauty has her brothers as well as her sisters. There is the requisite loss of fortune and the family is regulated to the country. Where everyone but the sisters thrive until the assumed return of fortune by the location of the Merchant's lost ships.
There were elements here I don't often see. At least in this story I get the sensation of time going by, not just a month or so but like a year or more. Also Beauty is dreaming about the prince and learning his story way, not to mention the fairy's voice is speaking to her trying to give her a hint on how to break the spell.
The pictures were nice as well. The beast looked more like a maneless lion than like a beast. But I've noticed everyone interprets the beast differently. So no biggie.
Overall not a bad version of beauty and the beast, a bit more involved then I expected.
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Either or
This one I think is closer to the original version. Beauty has her brothers as well as her sisters. There is the requisite loss of fortune and the family is regulated to the country. Where everyone but the sisters thrive until the assumed return of fortune by the location of the Merchant's lost ships.
There were elements here I don't often see. At least in this story I get the sensation of time going by, not just a month or so but like a year or more. Also Beauty is dreaming about the prince and learning his story way, not to mention the fairy's voice is speaking to her trying to give her a hint on how to break the spell.
The pictures were nice as well. The beast looked more like a maneless lion than like a beast. But I've noticed everyone interprets the beast differently. So no biggie.
Overall not a bad version of beauty and the beast, a bit more involved then I expected.
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Either or
February 25, 2014
This is THE BEST Beauty and the Beast story I've read. Every other edition that I've encountered is too short, too pat, and just doesn't have the thoroughness and the character-building narrative of this edition.
The psychology of the characters is more complete and convincing. There is a prophetic, mystical challenge for Beauty that is never developed in any other story I've seen. Her father and brothers are more tormented and her sisters more conniving.
This is the edition to get and cherish in your family.
The psychology of the characters is more complete and convincing. There is a prophetic, mystical challenge for Beauty that is never developed in any other story I've seen. Her father and brothers are more tormented and her sisters more conniving.
This is the edition to get and cherish in your family.
July 25, 2023
A very beautiful story and gorgeous illustrations. A great addition to any collection.
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May 23, 2016
I always loved Mercer Mayer's illustrations when I was a child, and his Twelve Dancing Princesses is an especial favorite of mine. I had to read this retelling of the classic tale and was not disappointed. Gorgeously rendered, both in the illustrations and the story-telling.
September 30, 2016
This is yet another version of the Beuty and the Beast. It's a longer version of the story but a very nice one. The illustrations are very beautiful and could tell the story on their own.
October 27, 2019
Beauty and the Beast are about this girl who is named Beauty and she falls in love with this beast. The beauty lives with her father, the father tells them that they all must leave because of what happened to his ships, they were all washed up. When the father leaves he asks all of his children of an item they would like him to get them. The beauty asks for just a rose, the merchant picks a rose from this beautiful garden and the beast informs the merchant that he must return with one of his daughters or himself or the beast will come after him. The illustrations were very detailed and colorful they ever very magical and gave you a feel for the book. This book is a very common story that children read when they are younger or even watch. I would recommend this book to kindergarten through like 3rd grade I think this is when they are into the princesses still. Of course, some kids might not be but it would still be a fun read-aloud for a class.
May 9, 2018
It's a lovely rendering of the classic fairy tale! The characters are nicely defined and the story moves along gracefully. I only wish that there were pictures on each page spread. There's way more prose than picture so I'm not sure it will hold the attention of little ones.
Ages: 7 - 10
Cleanliness: the word "stupid" appears in the story.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
Ages: 7 - 10
Cleanliness: the word "stupid" appears in the story.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
December 10, 2019
I was unaware what to expect when reading this version of the story, but I loved it. This was the classic tale of beauty and the beast but it felt more suitable for children with the use of child friendly vocabulary throughout the story. Belle was a hard working daughter of the farm and had 2 brothers. One thing that really stuck out to me about the illustrations was that they were dark, but upbeat at the same time. They were so rich and thought out, they gave me a midivil feel but I feel that a class of 2nd graders would be very intrigued with the images and it would keep them locked into the story the whole time.
July 31, 2019
Loved the text and the illustrations. The illustrations had an Egyptian theme and it was terrific- I loved finding the Easter eggs in the background. Yes!
I was brought to this book by K.Y. Craft, who did The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and the text of that book was done by this author, Marianna Mayer. I'm glad I was- this is a lovely edition was dark and dramatic drawings- perfect for the tale of Beauty and her Beast.
This is a definite must for Beauty and the Beast fans and perfect for fairy tale lovers of any kind.
I was brought to this book by K.Y. Craft, who did The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and the text of that book was done by this author, Marianna Mayer. I'm glad I was- this is a lovely edition was dark and dramatic drawings- perfect for the tale of Beauty and her Beast.
This is a definite must for Beauty and the Beast fans and perfect for fairy tale lovers of any kind.
June 12, 2020
1978 children's book with artwork by Mercer Mayer (published 13 years before Disney would decide how the next few generations would remember this story). Quite a bit of ancient Egyptian imagery throughout (likely influenced by "The Treasures of Tutankhamun" exhibition tour, that ran from 1976 to 1979 in the United States).
As a child of the early 70s, I probably had a number of books with art by Mayer, but the only one that comes to mind is "There's a Nightmare in my Closet".
As a child of the early 70s, I probably had a number of books with art by Mayer, but the only one that comes to mind is "There's a Nightmare in my Closet".
May 5, 2017
Beautifully illustrated retelling of the classic fairy tale. However this version has one slight change from those I'm familiar with — in addition to her two older sisters, Beauty also has three brothers. A reader could spend hours examining over the details of the illustrations. Highly recommended.
May 6, 2017
Interesting version of the story. Similar to a really old cartoon version I watched in childhood. I really like the drawings. I checked this out from the library mainly for the drawings and the beautiful cover! I originally gave this three stars, however, changed it to four because of the beautiful drawings!
May 23, 2017
This is a picture book retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story. It was written and illustrated a few years before the animated Disney movie, so adheres to the version in which Beauty has two wicked sisters.
The illustrations are lush and detailed and very romantic. Although intended for children, anyone with an appreciation of Mercer Mayer's artwork will enjoy this one.
The illustrations are lush and detailed and very romantic. Although intended for children, anyone with an appreciation of Mercer Mayer's artwork will enjoy this one.
April 4, 2018
This is a great retelling of the traditional tale. I honestly was not expecting the story to differ from the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast. I personally prefer this version over the Disney version. I believe this will give students the opportunity to explore the origins of different tales.
March 25, 2020
This book would be an interesting one to read in 2-4th grade because most are familiar with the disney story and I think it would be exciting for the kids to read this book and then compare the disney version to this one. I think the kids could do an assignment to compare the two versions then present it to the class.
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