Beauty and the Beast (edition 1989)

After reading Betsy Hearne's Beauties and Beasts - an international collection of folktales that incorporate the theme of the beastly, or enchanted spouse - recently, I've been considering doing a Beauty and the Beast reading project. Yes, yes, I know: another of my themed reading extravaganzas! But this fairy-tale, and its many variants, has always had a special place in my heart, and I think it would be fascinating to examine the diverse ways in which different authors and illustrators have interpreted it. Jan Brett being an immensely popular picture-book artist, I thought her retelling would be as good a place to start as any.

This retelling of the classic French tale of Beauty and the Beast features the intricate illustrations one would expect from Brett, from the gorgeous costumes to the appealing animals characters. Rather than use decorative borders to foreshadow, and tell more of her story (as she so often does), here Brett contrasts her foregrounded scenes, in which Beauty and her animal companions engage in a variety of activities, with her backgrounded tapestries, which (as careful readers will soon realize) depict the animals as they would appear, sans enchantment.

Like a friend and fellow reader, I think Brett made some smart aesthetic choices in her Beauty and the Beast, concentrating on animals (always one of her strengths), and cleverly working a dual narrative into the artwork itself. I also appreciated the fact that her Beast is a boar, rather than the more "traditional" bear-like creature - a clear tribute to the work of Walter Crane (as noted in the jacket blurb). I was a little less impressed with the text, and the changes Brett had to make, in order to incorporate the animal servants (I think I prefer the "breezes" that appear in some other retellings). All in all, a lovely retelling, though not my favorite. ( )

A simple retelling elegantly illustrated. ( )

Lovely telling of a traditional story. I really enjoyed this version. ( )

In a gorgeously illustrated retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Jan Brett captures the romance and mystery of this classic tale. After a merchant picks a rose from an enchanted garden, his daughter Beauty must travel to the castle of the Beast in exchange her father’s life. The kindhearted Beauty is very frightened of the Beast, but his gentle heart and the amusing antics of the servants soon put her at ease. Over time Beast falls deeply in love with the gentle girl, but uneasy of her own feelings she rejects him time and again. Still, the Beast cannot deny Beauty anything she asks, so he releases her to return home to her family. Brett’s fluent prose expresses Beauty’s wrenching emotion when she realizes she’s abandoned her love, and her struggles to awaken his deathly sleep are suspenseful.

Beauty and the Beast is a story that explores the true meaning of love, and proves that appearances are deceiving but that actions can speak louder than first impressions. Brett’s iconic art beautifully complements the classical narrative style. This book will evoke childhood memories in those familiar with the story, and those experiencing it for the first time will find it unforgettable. ( )

As Beauty's dad was on his way home, he saw a beautiful rose. That is what beauty asked him to bring her back. But little did he know, he was on private property. The Beast came out and said he would keep him as prisoner. but when the dad told the girls this, Beauty insisted on him keeping her. So Beauty livedin his house forever. ( )