Customer Reviews

Beauty and the Beast

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I still have this book, a bit battered but still beautiful. The illustrations capture the look of art nouveaux. There is a mirror in the book that looks just like one I saw in the Detroit Institute of Art. My father gave this to me when I was 5. I am holding on to it to show my grandchildren. Because of this book, I began collecting illustrated children's books. This book is a treasure in my library.

This lovely illustrated version of the classic tale should be reissued immediately. The lush, dreamlike illustrations by Hilary Knight are enough to make this book a must-have for collectors as well as children. Every image is exquisite; instead of the usual blonde heroine, Beauty is presented as a faintly Audrey Hepburn-esque brunette with sultry eyelids and a cascade of straight, raven hair. Landscapes and interiors are rendered with richness, detail, and imagination. What a pity that this volume--which I remember from my childhood--is now rarely to be found even in libraries!

No, really, World Lit. We had to read this book, then watched a whole bunch of black and white films based on it, a few French, then even watched the Disney one - and had to take a test on it. Wonderful story - simple, easy to follow, beautifully illustrated. I am kind of amazed it is still around. If you can get it do so. Wonderful gift for a young child.