artsyreadergirl's review against another edition
5.0
Find this review and many more at That Artsy Reader Girl!
I really, really loved this beautifully illustrated version of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. I can't believe it's out of print because I would LOVE to own a copy for my personal library. Anyway, this book was actually the very first time I read what the traditional tale was like rather than the Disney version. I felt that it was nicely simplified into a storybook for young children, although it might be a bit too long for the tiny littles to focus on. The story starts off with the words, “There once was a…”, reflecting traditional oral storytelling style. There are repeated refrains in this story of the beast pleading Beauty to marry him, and her refusing. There are also repeated story elements of Beauty having various dreams. The words are traditional in nature, and are not like how people speak today, so even though it's a picture book I think readers of all ages would be drawn to it for one reason or another.
What really set this book apart for me, though, were the illustrations. I can't believe the same person who wrote and illustrated the Little Critter books also illustrated this one! Mercer Mayer is truly a chameleon. The illustrations are very detailed and ornate, and match the colorful vocabulary and magical tone of the writing.
All in all, I loved this version of the story! I found the text to be more enjoyable than the original French tale, and the illustrations made for a very enjoyable reading experience. I'd definitely recommend this to fans of Beauty and the Beast, both young and old. It's a lovely edition that I'm sure any collector would love to own as well.
I really, really loved this beautifully illustrated version of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale. I can't believe it's out of print because I would LOVE to own a copy for my personal library. Anyway, this book was actually the very first time I read what the traditional tale was like rather than the Disney version. I felt that it was nicely simplified into a storybook for young children, although it might be a bit too long for the tiny littles to focus on. The story starts off with the words, “There once was a…”, reflecting traditional oral storytelling style. There are repeated refrains in this story of the beast pleading Beauty to marry him, and her refusing. There are also repeated story elements of Beauty having various dreams. The words are traditional in nature, and are not like how people speak today, so even though it's a picture book I think readers of all ages would be drawn to it for one reason or another.
What really set this book apart for me, though, were the illustrations. I can't believe the same person who wrote and illustrated the Little Critter books also illustrated this one! Mercer Mayer is truly a chameleon. The illustrations are very detailed and ornate, and match the colorful vocabulary and magical tone of the writing.
All in all, I loved this version of the story! I found the text to be more enjoyable than the original French tale, and the illustrations made for a very enjoyable reading experience. I'd definitely recommend this to fans of Beauty and the Beast, both young and old. It's a lovely edition that I'm sure any collector would love to own as well.
jselliot's review against another edition
4.5
Part of my library-hauling fairytale binging as a kid.
emlickliter's review against another edition
5.0
Beauty and the Beast by Marianna Mayer – I love the illustrations in this one! Happy Reading!
morgansyd's review against another edition
5.0
This was goooorgeous! When I was on my K.Y. Craft binge, I read two of Marianna Mayer's picture books that K.Y. had illustrated (The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave). They were my favorite ones story-wise, so I looked into more Marianna Mayer. When I first laid eyes upon this beautiful edition of Beauty and the Beast, I fell in love. The illustrations are so dark, rich, romantic. Who is the artist, I must know!
... wait ... Mercer Mayer? Mercer Mayer? "Little Critter" Mercer Mayer??
Those books were my childhood! Though the Little Critter illustrations are cute (and filled with nostalgia), I was blown away that Mercer Mayer illustrated Beauty and the Beast! They are on a completely different level!
... wait ... Mercer Mayer? Mercer Mayer? "Little Critter" Mercer Mayer??
Those books were my childhood! Though the Little Critter illustrations are cute (and filled with nostalgia), I was blown away that Mercer Mayer illustrated Beauty and the Beast! They are on a completely different level!
wickedwire's review against another edition
5.0
i really liked this book and the art work was beautiful
perseph's review against another edition
2.0
I actually didn't read this version. I read a translation of Mme Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont version from 1756 but I couldn't find it on here. The story had what I look for in fairy tales which is unjustified, overly harsh punishment for minor characters.
More...