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Beauty and the Beast
by
Jan Brett
Originally published in 1989, this luminous reissue of an all-time favorite fairy tale will attract an even wider audience with its romantic new jacket and a shortened text.
Exquisite illustrations of Beauty and her mysterious suitor, the Beast, are set in a magical castle where animals dressed in period costumes serve them. Woven into glorious tapestries throughout are hi...more
Exquisite illustrations of Beauty and her mysterious suitor, the Beast, are set in a magical castle where animals dressed in period costumes serve them. Woven into glorious tapestries throughout are hi...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
December 8th 2011
by Putnam Juvenile
(first published January 1st 1989)
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Community Reviews
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1-30
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1,443)
Apr 23, 2009
Chandra
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fairy-and-folk-tales,
picture-books
I always say I have a love/hate thing with Jan Brett. I think she's brilliant with her animal illustrations and so-so, even borderline creepy, with her people. So, with a story that is very people focused like Beauty and the Beast I was a little concerned. So, I'll cut to the chase - I was actually pleasantly surprised. I did only spend 50 cents on a used copy so it would have to be really bad to disappoint, but seriously it's nicely done. It's almost as if Jan Brett realized her weaknesses here...more
view all 5 comments
We have read a lot of books by Jan Brett and we are always fascinated by her detailed illustrations. Normally we look for her Scandinavian-themed stories, but I found this book on display at our local library and just knew we were in for a treat.
I noticed that there was a small author's note on the verso page mentioning the various versions of this story she read in preparing this retelling. She credits the 1910 version by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch as especially helpful. This is no Disney versio...more
I noticed that there was a small author's note on the verso page mentioning the various versions of this story she read in preparing this retelling. She credits the 1910 version by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch as especially helpful. This is no Disney versio...more
I absolutely loved this version of The Beaty and the Beast. This story is a classic too and the illustation that Jan Bree did is really good. The story is about a father who had three daughters and he lost everything. One day he went to town to only find out that he had lost his last ship. Going back home to his daughters poorer than ever he remembered that his doughters wanted horses, clothes and a rose. As the man walked throught the dark forest coming back home he saw a garden full of roses....more
Jul 07, 2010
Jonathan
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-fairy-tales
This is a classic version (1949) of a classic fairy tale. The pictures are ornate and beautiful and have that European feel that's so welcoming and familiar. Of course, the key to this is the lesson, that if you love and aren't judgmental, about appearance, then good things will come to you.
Compelling passages and illustrations:
On page 7, Beauty asks only for a rose because she misses the gardens rather than something more selfish.
Page 10, when the merchant picks a rose from another man's garden...more
Compelling passages and illustrations:
On page 7, Beauty asks only for a rose because she misses the gardens rather than something more selfish.
Page 10, when the merchant picks a rose from another man's garden...more
Mar 16, 2010
Baylee Washburn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
pbgs3-traditional-books
In this fairy tale, a young girl named Beauty releases a handsome prince from a spell by agreeing to marry him despite his ugly beast appearance. Having never read the story of Beauty and the Beast before, it was interesting to compare this story to Disney’s movie, Beauty and the Beast. Although the basic elements and story line are the same, there are many differences between Jan Brett’s version and Disney’s version of this traditional story. The Beast is portrayed much differently in the book...more
It is interesting how Jan Brett takes the characters inside the Palace and makes them into animals, but yet still dresses them in clothing. She still has her interesting hints of what is going to come, and in this book it is hidden in writing on the paintings in the background of every page spread. The paintings also show what the animals look like when they are humans, which makes the ending make more sense with connections between the characters easier. The colors are muted with color pencils...more
Beauty and the Beast by Jan Brett is a retelling of the classic fairy tale with the young girl named Beauty releasing a handsome prince from a spell by agreeing to marry him despite his ugly beastly appearance.
This version retains the mystery, suspense, and romance of the classic tale. Brett incorporates some changes to make the servants be different animals. The moral about people trusting too much to appearances is made clear. The story also reveals the power of love and the emptiness of pursu...more
This version retains the mystery, suspense, and romance of the classic tale. Brett incorporates some changes to make the servants be different animals. The moral about people trusting too much to appearances is made clear. The story also reveals the power of love and the emptiness of pursu...more
May 10, 2011
Lisa Carroll
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
module-4-booklist
I love the classic fairy tale of Beauty and The Beast. Jan Brett did a wonderful job with her retelling of the classic tale. I loved how the beast appeared to be a warthog and Beauty was quite lovely. As usual, Brett's illustartions steal the spotlight. I was unsure if my five-year-old son would enjoy this, but he loved it from beginning to end. This is a wonderful book for children of all ages. This was a gem of a book and the Brett chose to use such beautiful and calming colors in her pictures...more
This book was fantastic. I love Jan Brett's art, and I have always loved this story. The girl was drawn so beautifully, and the beast's pig-based face was really awful. I liked that it did not follow Disney's version of why the girl had to stay, but instead used the story line that her father stole a rose from the Beast's garden for Beauty, and to pay him back, she agreed to live there forever. So, it was essentially the same story, but had its own little twists. I really liked this book!
Beauty and the beast record and illustrated by Jan Brett was a different version of the traditional tail of the Disney version that I was used to. They use different wording and characters in this version of the beauty and the beast. I like it a lot also because it makes the reader to have a vivid imagination and the pictures used in this piece are very creative. One of my favorite parts was the part ring when she spins the ring three times I thought it was very creative.
Great book with nice illustrations.
In this version of the story, part of the spell/curse is that the servants have all been turned to animals. In all the pictures you can see a painting or background wall hanging or something else which shows the same scene shown on the page... but instead of animals, the background picture shows people... very cool. That was our favorite thing about this book.
Ella gives it 5 stars.
In this version of the story, part of the spell/curse is that the servants have all been turned to animals. In all the pictures you can see a painting or background wall hanging or something else which shows the same scene shown on the page... but instead of animals, the background picture shows people... very cool. That was our favorite thing about this book.
Ella gives it 5 stars.
The book description says it best - this one is for those who could "enjoy comparing it with other versions." I did like the clues that Beauty was oblivious to. And I did like that there's a reason for the witch's curse. But maybe I just need to take a break from B&B tales - I wasn't charmed by the overly-pretty illustrations or the (mostly) overly-simple plot and characterizations. No pathos. No complexity.
Although very similar to the disney version, it still is a little different. I am a huge fan of Jan Brett's work and I found this book to be written well but a little boring. I do believe the story is a great tale to tell all children I am just not sure if this is the one I would tell. Still well done, just different and maybe that is why I am not in favor of it.
I bought this book for myself and I bought for the illustrations alone (well not exactly I guess, I love The Beauty and The Beast story as well). Jan Brett is such an amazing illustrator she might be my favorite! What I love about this book is the borders around the pictures themselves they are just so amazing.Enough said you will just have to go see for yourself.
One of my favorite versions. Have always loved Jan Brett's illustrations and she doesn't disappoint here. There is the usual fine detail with as much attention and richness in the backgrounds as in the central figures. She based her Beast on the Walter Crane version- a wild boar and every bristle and wrinkle of the snout is carefully depicted. Fabrics are sumptuous and flowers abound. I especially love the panel done as a full silhouette in the style of Arthur Rackham. I was lucky enough to mee...more
Sep 11, 2009
George
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picturebook-favorites
I still have my childhood copy of this beautifully rich rendition of the classic fairy tale - albeit without its dust jacket. My favorite part, then and now, are the panels and pictures within each illustration that foreshadow the next pages. This is a wonderful retelling that brings new discoveries with each reread.
This was a charming rendition of the classic fairy tale. The reason I'm not giving it 5 out of 4 stars is because usually what I love most about Jan Brett illustrations is when she puts small illustrations in the margins to show what other characters in the story are doing at the same time. She didn't have that in this novel. However, true to that style, she would show Beauty and Beast reading a book, and in the background have a picture of a real prince and princess reading, showing the Beast's...more
I really liked this version because in the background on the wall it would have a tapestry of what the enchanted servants really looked like in the same positions as what they were doing in the foreground.
beautiful and lush retelling of a favorite fairy tale, imbued with Jan Brett's signature illustrations and inspired by Arthur Quiller-Couch's version. Lovely and memorable.
I really only read this book because I think Jan Brett's illustrations are so wonderful, but I found that I really like her version of this "tale as old as time".
Nov 21, 2009
Rebekah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books,
tales-told-and-retold
The Illustrations for this book are amazing. I love how the paintings and tapestries in the background are what is going on in the foreground. Beautiful.
The non-disney version. This includes deep emotional/family issues, complicated character motivation, and a more consistent magic system. :)
Oct 14, 2010
Carol
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fairy-tales-folk-tales
Year published: 1989
Grade Level: K-5
This is the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast, but with spectacular illustrations by Jan Brett.
Grade Level: K-5
This is the traditional story of Beauty and the Beast, but with spectacular illustrations by Jan Brett.
Beautiful illustrations and a good retelling, geared somewhat for older children aged 4-10, and probably mostly girls.
Beautiful illustrations, however the book is text heavy so probably better for an older group
Beauty and The Beast is a great book. The illustrations are phenomenal.
Traditional version of the classic French wonder tale. Beautiful illustrations.
The story is a classic for every little girl. I still find it intriguing
Beautiful retelling of the classic with all Jan Brett's famous illustrations.
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With over thirty three million books in print, Jan Brett is one of the nation's foremost author illustrators of children's books. Jan lives in a seacoast town in Massachusetts, close to where she grew up. During the summer her family moves to a home in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I reme...more
More about Jan Brett...
As a child, Jan Brett decided to be an illustrator and spent many hours reading and drawing. She says, "I reme...more
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