A cute retelling with An Leysen's illustrations. It is different from the original version as well as the Disney film. It features The Beast as a ram-like (or maybe goat-like, apparently they aren't the same animal and there are some differences lol) creature who has been turned into a beast because of his selfishness, and a daughter of a wealthy merchant with a greedy sister. I still prefer the Disney version, but An Leysen's illustrations are quite pretty to look at. Honestly, it made Beast seem kind of adorable, I just wanted to pet his little head. I guess it's difficult to draw something terrible and off-putting when you're so good at drawing such beautiful things.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.

This book unfortunately did not live up to expectations. It was cute but just another play on the classic tale. It's quite alright if you don't mind the same story. Artwork was great!

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Written and Illustrated by An Leysen
2017; Clavis (29 Pages)
Genre: picture book, retelling, classics, fairy tale

(Review Not on Blog)

RATING: 3 STARS

When I say I love Beauty and the Beast, I mostly mean the Disney version where Belle is a book nerd and the talking and singing crew around her. I am trying to read other stories about this tale and see how it differs. Usually a fan of Leysen, I wasn't that interested in the pictures. While the story wasn't what I was used to I am looking forward to reading more.

***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***

Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale thanks to the message that leaves it to the reader, reflecting it: never judge a person who looks alone and, in a more general way, never dwell on appearances. However, in this text, we also see the importance of being respectful and heartfelt toward the neighbor.

Disappearing from the story that Walt Disney has used to, we are faced with a reworking of the story - much closer to the original - where Belle has an older sister who is the exact opposite of her; a figure, the latter, very resembling that of Cinderella's sisters. The tale comes alive thanks to the illustrations, delicate traits and pastel colors, enhancing every single character: it is not surprising that the illustrations are the strong point of the work. A not too scary version that children will not be able to love.

'Beauty and the Beast' by An Leysen is a picture book retelling of the fairy tale with very pretty illustrations.

Fairy tales can have variations, and this one had one I wasn't as familiar with. There is a cursed prince. There is a merchant, but in this story he has two daughters. The older daughter is vain and insufferable, and we don't learn her name, but the younger one is called Belle. The Beast meets Belle and it mostly goes according to the stories I knew.

I liked this telling. It feels pretty authentic. There are no singing plates and cups, but the story doesn't need them. The illustrations are ornate and pretty. The Beast isn't too scary for young children, and the lessons of the story are clear.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Book and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

Even the story is well known to everyone,I think this is a whole new experience. It has beautiful illustrations,and even though I prefer Disney ones,I love this ones too!

Fun fantasy version of Beauty and the Beast. Illustrations were great and the story was slightly different than the common one to keep the kids interested.

With the recent Beauty and the Beast film, young readers will likely be looking for books about this beautiful fairy tale. This version of the classic tale is more traditional, keeping with the original tale rather than the Disney version. Beautiful illustrations accompany this retelling. While many young readers will be quick to point out the differences from the movie, this book will open the door to conversations about how many of their favorite Disney princesses originally were portrayed in a written tale.

Beautiful book.
There must be hundreds of versions of this classic, but this retelling by An Leysen is beautifully balanced and stunningly illustrated and is definitely a book I would love to have on my shelf to share with my grandchildren. Sadly, this was a NetGalley review copy so my grandchildren can only view it electronically.

I liked that the beast was not too scary and not going to give young children nightmares.
This is a moral tale - don't judge people by their appearance - and given the success of recent books like Wonder by R.J. Palacio, it is a timely release.

Looking on Amazon, I see there are already three other fairy tales in this series, Baba Yaga, Pinochio's Dream and The Nutcracker, all with similar art work, beautifully created by the author. I would definitely consider buying these books; the illustrations also make a big difference to my own pleasure when reading to children.
Age 5 years +.

An interesting and lovely retelling of Beauty and the Beast. This telling is more like the ones that I grew up with before it became a famous Disney movie. This story has no Gaston, but rather an older sister who believes she should be the one surrounded in riches and nice things. The illustrations are amazing and the story is lovely. A must read for anyone who wants a non-Disney story.

These illustrations are so beautiful, they also help to throw the children into the story. I read this to my children at night and even my son who is adamant that Princess stories are not for him enjoyed this tale. It is not like the Disney movie, so don't have your heart set up, it plays closer to the original story.

While this does run closer to the original it is definitely muted for children, in that the Beast is more misunderstood and isn't exactly a vicious monster.

Gauging my children's reactions and the fact they didn't want this story to end, plus my love for the illustrations? It is reflected in the rating. I will definitely be buying a physical copy to put into my youngest's library.

I didn’t need to be told this was by the same illustrator as Baba Yaga, for the cover shows the same kind of extremely cute little girl face. The cover also features Beast as a goat.
The prince had a heart of stone, spoiled and selfish, and got what was coming to him from a witch who turned him into a beast. Belle’s older sister is similar, which already differs so much from the more famous version of this fairy tale. And Belle is her nickname, not given name. I’m not familiar with the original story, but I figure this was in keeping with it; do not expect the Disney version here.
Belle is a little too good to be true, but I suppose she had to be in order for her love for the Beast to be convincing.
The drawings, colored pastel-like, are gorgeous, and are of course the highlight.

A lovely piece of work. Amazingly worded. Sweetest pictures. While working as a counselor I sought books with a nice vocabulary and wished for the one like this. I am hoping to acquire a hard copy in the future, as I would love to have it for my children and nephews.

This classic tale has been written and illustrated so many times that if you are going to do it again it needs to be a standout. Although the illustrations were nice, I don't feel they were engaging enough for young children. All and all nothing special.

First of all I would like to praise wonderful drawings in this book. Text was also arranged the way it’s comfortable to read, yet easy to look illustrations as well. As much as I loved the illustrations, I believe it would find it hard to attract younger readers.

It was interesting to see the Beast presented somewhat like a big Billy Goat Gruff. Also, I was shocked to find out that Belle had a sister and there were no Mrs. Pots or Chip. So I think I can tell you now that if you are after for another Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, you will be disappointed.

As early years educator, I found it hard to see the lesson of this book that children could learn. Have a dinner in the house you weren’t invited and then have a cheekiness to try to steal some flowers? Or maybe keep pestering young girl until she gives in and falls in love with you?

I doubt I would pass this book onto children for all the reasons I mentioned above.

An excellent retelling of the classic that I loved from beginning to end.

I did enjoy this book but wasn't a fan of some of the images and did think that they could be better but they were in keeping with the traditional aspect of the story being a classic fairy tale. The story is definitely not the Disney version so if you are looking for that you'll be disappointed as this one is much closer to the original version. 3 stars from me for this one

I loved it! Since I was a child, I've been reading all the versions of this story, so I loved this one, with that beautiful drawings, so cute all the characters, so nice the faces... I can't say anything bad about it!

Tale as old as time indeed but if you're here for a Disney version you'll be disappointed. No this is much closer to the original version and is all the better for it. Beautifully illustrated and well written it's a joy to read aloud and for my daughter to read to herself. If you like classic fairy tales (but not the too scary versions) you'll love this. It's suitable for all the young and young at heart.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an honest review.

This was my favorite fairy tale as a child and my own children loved the animated versions. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. The text is a bit hard to read (at least in the digital version) which was distracting. Overall, it is a beautiful version of a classic fairy tale that many people will want to own.