Beauty and the Beast

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 show more 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. show less

Jan Brett writes a beautiful story but the true star of the show are her gorgeous illustrations. I love how the stunning art in the central picture is augmented by the secondary story being told in the images in the side bar. She is a tee master of her craft.

LOVED THIS BOOK! It tells the story of a rich merchant who spoils his daughters, two who are spoiled, and one who is kind and lovely. The merchant loses his fortune and Beauty is the only one who stays with him. While traveling the merchant gets lost and stumbles upon a castle where he meets the beast! The beast then insists that the merchant bring him one of his daughters. Beauty volunteers and lives with the beast, and while there she begins to admire and love him.

Teaching Ideas: loving people for who they are

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 show more 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. show less

As always, Brett's illustrations are lush and incredibly rich in detail. In particular, I enjoyed this rendition of the folk tale of Beauty and the Beast.

A rich merchant spoils his three daughters, two of whom are selfish, the other daughter, different than the other two, is other directed and lovely. When the merchant looses his fortune, it is Beauty who stays with him. In search of finding a means of living, on a snowy night he is lost and stumbles upon an intricate, lovely castle. He is provided with a meal, a bed and clothing. When he picks a rose for his daughter, the beast in the castle demands that he return with one of his daughters.
He is given enough money to move forward in life, but must give up a daughter.

When, show more brokenhearted, he returns home, it is beauty who agrees to return with him to the castle. Choosing to stay there, she is entertained by the beast and soon grows to warm to his charming intelligence.

Asking to return home one more time, agreeing to return, soon she forgets her promise. In a vision she sees the beast dying. Returning to him, she finds him near death. Promising undying love and marriage, the beast becomes a prince

They live happily ever after. show less

This retelling of the classic fairy tale will appeal to children because of its mystery, suspense, and romance, and to adults because of its exploration of the duality in human nature.

The main lesson in this tale is that looks can be deceiving. All along the Beast is a handsome prince just looking for someone to truly love him to uplift the curse and make him happy. This tale also touches upon being content with what you have instead of dwelling on the past and wishing for more. Beauty, unlike her sisters, was content with her life. All she asked her father for on his trip was for him to bring her back a rose. Her sisters asked for a rich clothes and a coach. Talk about material things. Beauty did not need materialistic things in her life to make her happy; this is part of the reason she ends up with a happily ever after. Beauty, being content with her life and what she has, is not tainted with judging everything off show more of appearances. This is why she falls in love with an ugly Beast and breaks (to her) the unknown curse. Help your child learn about happiness, and that materialistic things cannot bring happiness to a person. Children will understand that looks are not everything are can be deceiving. show less