Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast retold by Alex Field, illustrated by Helene Magisson (New Frontier Publishing) HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781925059809

Reviewed by Rebecca Newman

This is a retelling of the well-known fairytale in a picture book format. The text of the story is in large clear type with lots of white space. The pared back narrative occasionally feels more like a story summary than storytelling — however, this simpler format might enable younger readers to have a go at reading the story for themselves.

I’m already a fan of Helene Magisson’s work as an illustrator and her illustrations glow with fairytale magic. The use of birdcages and butterflies in the background to symbolise imprisonment and then freedom will delight the observant child reader. The end papers give an extra twist to this element.

Beauty and the Beast is just one title in the Happily Ever After series and will be in bookshops from 1 March 2017. This is a beautifully presented hardcover book.

About the reviewer: Rebecca Newman is a children’s writer and poet. She is the editor of Alphabet Soup’s website and former editor of Alphabet Soup’s print magazine. rebeccanewman.net.au

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast retold by Margrete Lamond (story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince De Beaumont), illustrated by Anna Pignataro (Little Hare Books)

HB RRP $12.95
ISBN 9781921894886

Reviewed by J. Wishart

From the ‘Once upon a timeless tale’ series published by Little Hare books, Beauty and the Beast offers a timeless tale of love, integrity and duty. Retold by Margrete Lamond (from the original story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince De Beaumont), with full page illustrations by Anna Pignataro, Beauty and the Beast is attractively hardbound, and would make a good stocking-filler or gift book for readers who might like to collect the series.

Pignataro’s illustrations are a striking combination of watercolour and collage, with still-visible sketch-lines that give them movement and immediacy. The muted colours mixed with snippets of vintage fabric also highlight the artwork’s handmade quality; and effectively complement the story of a once-wealthy merchant’s daughter, who is condemned to live out her life with an unappealing suitor.

The personal qualities of the cast are well contrasted by Beauty’s two aspiring, and later, bitter and jealous, sisters, while Beauty is characterised by her consistent humbleness and loyalty to her father. She willingly sacrifices herself to live with the Beast, and, in time, comes to fear him less. As with many beloved fairy tales, things are not what they appear to be – but Beauty is ultimately rewarded for her honesty and open-heartedness.

This telling of the well-known tale is refreshed with light humour, and condensed to the length of a middle-grade reader – also making it an ideal book for busy grownups to enjoy over a cup of tea. With illustrations that evoke the mystery and opulence of the Beast’s mansion and the drama of the dilemmas faced by the characters, this charming version of the classic tale will be sure to please.

Two Fearsome Fairy Tales from France

Two Fearsome Fairy Tales from France retold by Adele Geras, illustrated by Fiona McDonald (Christmas Press)

HB RRP$19.99

ISBN 9780992283841

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The fly pages of this new book by Australian publisher Christmas Press are wonderful; in black and white they show a scene which feels almost as though it is going to suck you into the story to come. 

The first story is the English author’s retelling of the well-known tale, ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Like most re-tellings, the language is sparse, old-fashioned and straight-forward, relating how a merchant father promises his youngest and most beautiful daughter to a beast set on revenge. Belle is aghast when she first sets eyes upon the beast and declines his many offers of marriage. There is, of course, a twist at the end of the tale and when Belle finally agrees to a betrothal, she releases a spell cast by a wicked fairy.

The story of Bluebeard is the second story in this lavishly illustrated book with all its text set in illustrated frames and with full-page coloured pictures and occasional black and white sketches. Like the beast in the first story, Bluebird has a dreadful appearance – and a young woman, in this case his (unnamed) Bride. ‘His beard was of a dark blue as deep as oceans and flowed from his chin to his waist like a tumbling waterfall of hair. But he dazzled her with gifts and soothed her with kind words.’ On the eve of his departure on business, Bluebird gives his bride the keys to the palace saying that one room is not to be unlocked ‘if you value your life.’

Does the young woman use the silver key? Of course! And what she finds is horrifying. This sets in chain a series of consequences and frantic actions. 

This story was, for this reviewer, much less predictable than the first.

This is another handsome production from Christmas Press joining other retold tales such as Two Tales of Twins from Ancient Greece and Rome (Ursula Dubosarsky) and Two Trickster Tales from Russia (Sophie Masson). Its appeal would be for children aged 9+ years.

East of the Sun, West of the Moon

East of the Sun, West of the Moon by Jackie Morris (Walker Books)

HC RRP $24.95

ISBN 9781847802941

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

East of the Sun, West of the Moon is inspired by a fairytale which could be Beauty and the Beast intertwined with something more. It is an exquisite retelling of a tale of love, loyalty, trust and daring; a dedicated quest that takes years to accomplish.

The girl is on the cusp of adolescence when the bear calls her to join him on a journey beyond her comprehension. Yet she is beguiled by him, and knows that this is what she has been born for. Without hesitation, she leaves her parents and home to travel with him to a castle east of the sun and west of the moon. She soon recognizes love as her motivation.

Her quest is filled with dilemmas and dangers, questions, challenges and choices, and a supreme evolution of self. The girl will be forced to examine herself, the bear, and a greater love. She will follow her dream and her heart, making an unexpected life-changing choice that will finally set her free.

This outstanding publication from Frances Lincoln Children’s Books is simultaneously an adventure and a coming-of-age story. It is filled with mystery and romance, and written in lyrical prose by artist Jackie Morris whose scenes are painted canvases - vivid and bewitching. Magical and mysterious, the story will remain unforgettable as will the beauty of the artwork that accompanies the text.