Beauty and the Beast
Starred Review.Grade 2-4–Nineteenth-century period details, lively dialogue that is well suited to reading aloud, and sly humor distinguish this retelling. The basic plot is familiar, yet slight changes in details and dialogue deftly customize the tone. The father is portrayed as a doting parent whose flattering introductions to his daughters are provided in staccato. Absolutely lovely, smashing girl, mad about clothes, and amusingly countered by the author's, Now you might consider that Gertrude in fact looked a little spoiled and not very grateful…. Even Beauty is a little vain; when she first touches the beast, she is amazed to see how pale and delicate her hand looked against its fur. Barrett's lovely watercolor illustrations vary in size and shape and the effective use of light and shadow communicates the shifting moods. The haunting landscapes and stark interiors contrast with sunlit, outdoor scenes presented in charming little vignettes. A poignant spread shows Beauty weeping over her Beast. There are many delightful versions of this complex story, and each has its own charm. Certainly, Marianna Mayer'sBeauty and the Beast(S & S, 1987) set a high standard. Libraries that feature variants of folklore stories will want this vibrant edition.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.