Beauty and the Beast [Hardcover]

Della Rowland (Author), Barbara Lanza (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up

Through her great capacity to love, a kind and beautiful maid releases a handsome prince from the spell which has made him an ugly beast.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K Up --This brightly illustrated version of the popular tale features watercolors in deep, rich tones. They don't, however, contribute significantly to the story; in fact, they don't always follow the text closely (when it states that the Beast lies dying with a white rose in his paw, the painted scene shows him holding a red rose). In some pictures Beauty's hair--refreshing in its darkness instead of the usual golden color--is waist length, while in others it reaches the floor. Beauty's family is depicted with all possible hair colors (black, brown, blonde, red, and gray), which doesn't lend a feeling of the relationships in the tale. And no one historical period is identified through the costumes or setting, thus detracting from the book's continuity. The men in this version do not fare well: the father appears more of a peasant than a wealthy merchant; the brothers' proclaimed intentions are inconsistent; the Beast is more pitiable and less interesting than in other tales. Rowland forces on readers a psychological understanding of the story, but stresses how the Beast/prince is loved for what he is rather than focusing on Beauty's transforming love for him. Her own transformation is given equal value. For that, the book may be a useful addition to large folktale collections. --Regina Pauly, Burlington County Library, Mt. Holly, NJ
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 31 pages
• Publisher: Contemporary Books (April 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809243040
• ISBN-13: 978-0809243044
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,618,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)