Beauty and the Beast: The Graphic Novel (Graphic Spin)

This is an interesting little book. The story is "Beauty and the Beast" but not the modern Disney-fied version. Instead it harkens back to the original where there are selfish sisters and a dad that promises to send Beauty to see The Beast, if only The Beast won't eat him. (He's not kept captive, you see)

In this version, Beauty traipses off to see The Beast after her father arrives home. The two hang out and then, after awhile, she tells Beast that she misses her family, whereupon they agree she should go, promising to return in one week. What Beauty doesn't know as she departs is that all promises are binding in the castle. And that if she doesn't return within the allotted time that The Beast will die.

Even with these small changes, show more the story will be fairly familiar to most of us who have heard it before. And in that sense, this book is likely to be a success with it's target audience. Where it might not succeed would be with children who aren't that familiar with story, or with children who are ready for a more detailed version. This one, you see, is rather short and rather light on continuity. You would think the story could be told in 40 pages, but in truth there isn't a great deal of text per page-- little more than a sentence or two -- and perhaps that's what accounts for the lapses.

Talking Points:::
This book is at the AR 2.6 level, which means that this is a graphic novel in a more simple form than you might be picturing in your mind. Luke Feldman's artwork is simple and appropriate for youngsters. The Beast is interesting without being scary, and the drawings are more cartoonish than anime. Sort of on the order of Dora the Explorer if done in darker tones.

"Beauty and the Beast: The Graphic Novel" would be fine for reading aloud to very young children. The cartoon appearance will probably catch their eye. Kindergarteners and slightly older children who read above grade level should like it as well as the book tells a story without having tons of text to dissuade them.

Older Children and adults aren't going to be as happy with the tale as it doesn't have any 'meat' to it. There's no real character development and no depth. Plus, the story is told in a rather sketchy way.

Pam T~
mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews show less

The fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is retold in graphic novel format. After Beauty's father takes a rose from the Beast's garden the Beast forces Beauty to come live with him. The characters are a little flat, Beauty is kind and sweet and the change in the Beast's personality comes so fast that his personality is not really explored. In the first half of the graphic novel he is scary and angry, but as soon as Beauty arrives he is nice. Beauty's sisters are not as mean and selfish as they are in previous versions. The setting is fairly vague, and the most interesting part of the setting is the dark forest where Beauty's father first finds the Beast. The setting of the Beast's castle could have been more developed, but maybe the show more illustrator was afraid that this would make the graphic novel too similar to the disney version. There are themes of love and not judging a person by their looks. The style of the illustrations make the tale seem much more modern. Beauty's outfit looks much more modern and could possibly be worn today. The author chose to condense the story a fair amount and could have emphasized Beauty falling in love with the Beast a little more and that her sisters were jealous of the beast's gifts. The story mentions the gifts Beauty is given, but there is no real indication in the illustrations that this has happened. The illustrations are brightly colored and are especially good when the beast is angry. Children should enjoy this tale, but ultimately it is a little disappointing because the story is a little brief. Recommended for purchase if the library wants the complete set or if these graphic novels are proving to be very popular. show less

Terrible. The worst Graphic Spin I've read, which is the worst series of graphic novel fairy tale adaptation series that I've been reading (the Far Out fairy tales are mostly nearly excellent).

The whole 'lost my fortune' bit is lost, as are the magic servants that welcome the father. Also, the father has no compunction about letting Beauty go serve her sentence. Also, the castle is to blame for the Beast nearly dying, not his sorrow missing Beauty because she stays too long with her family. And the illustrations look like they were done by a 14 yo girl.

The graphic novel Beauty and the Beast was a story about a young girl whose father promises a beast that his daughter will return to the castle. The daughter, Beauty, goes to the castle and Beast falls in love with her. Beauty is apprehensive, but at the end of the story, she is in love with Beast and her love for the creature reverses a spell that was put on him many years before. They lived happily ever after.

I really liked this book. It was a version of the classic fairy tale that I have never hear of before. It was a very neat and different version. The pictures were very good and they went along with the text very well. I really liked the story line.

I would use this book to show children that everyone deserves respect and love. show more It would also be good for a compare/ contrast piece for two different versions of the story. show less

Summary:
Beauty is the youngest of three sisters. Her father has to leave on a trip and asks his daughters what they would like him to bring as gifts upon his return. Beauty asks for his safe return and a rose, and her father promises to get her wish. While he is traveling through a deep forest he spots the most beautiful rose and picks it for Beauty. A big mean looking beast appears and tells the father he must send Beauty to him or he will eat him. The father with a sad heart sends Beauty to the Beast. The Beast treats Beauty with love, and every night asks her to marry him and each night Beauty says she can’t marry him. One nigh Beauty asks the Beast to go home to her father but makes a promise to return in one week. What Beauty show more doesn’t know is if she doesn’t keep her promise and return to the beast he will die. Beauty doesn’t return in a week, but when she does she sees that Beast is about to die because she didn’t keep her promise. Beauty cries out that she loves him, and the spell on Beast is broken. He turns into a handsome prince and the two live happily ever after.

Personal Reflection:
My son had a hard time following this graphic novel even though he knew the story well. I would recommend this for an older child, unless the parent is ok with pointing out each section the story is being read.

Classroom Extension:
-This book could be used to teach about family.
-This book could be used to teach students not to judge others. show less

Summary: Retelling of a classic story of Beauty and the Beast. A farther promises a Beast his daughter after picking a rose.

Personal Opinion: Cute art work and the story is a water down version of the original. Nothing like Disney story of it but would have been fun to see talking cups and candles.

Classroom Extension:
Teach how being greedy is bad and ask for small things.
Teach to not judge a book by it's cover.
How being nice pays off.

Muy interesante, muy buen desarrollo de personajes.