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Beauty and the Beast Movie-Themed Books Keep the Magic Alive Off-Screen
More than 25 years after the hit animated version of Beauty and the Beast waltzed onto the big screen, Disney has premiered its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the classic fairy tale. In it, a young beauty named Belle is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle, where she learns to look beyond his gruff exterior to find the heart of a lovable prince inside.
The new film boasts a star-studded cast—Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, Kevin Kline as Belle’s father, Ewan McGregor as Lumiére, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, and more. In celebration of this retelling of the tale as old as time, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite Beauty and the Beast books to keep the enchantment going off-screen. So be our guest and put these eight picks to the test.
For Kids:
Beauty and the Beast: The Story of Belle, by Disney Book Group
Even the youngest readers can follow Belle on her journey from being held captive as the Beast’s prisoner to her discovery of a softer, more lovable side of the cursed prince. Accompanying the story are beautiful, full-color illustrations from the animated original Disney version of Beauty and the Beast. Kids will enjoy seeing both the Beast’s and Belle’s transformations in this lovely picture book.
Beauty and the Beast (B&N Exclusive Edition), by Cynthia Rylant
For young readers who may not have the patience to sit through a long telling of this wonderful fairy tale, this book offers the story simply told with only two to three sentences on each page. The heart of the story about Belle and her Beast and their blooming love for one another remains the same, and Meg Park’s elegant illustrations only add to the enchantment of the book. And this Barnes & Noble exclusive edition includes two pages of full-color stickers.
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Beauty and the Beast Big Golden Book, by Melissa Arps
It’s been more than 25 years since Disney’s classic animated version of Beauty and the Beast was released. And now children—and grown-ups!—can enjoy all the magic of the Disney original in this Big Golden Book retelling of the film. Lovely Belle, an initially fearsome Beast, and a castle of enchanted characters come to life in this sweet story for the 3-to-7-year-old set.
For Young Readers:
Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book, by Jennifer Donnelly
As a book lover, Belle lives in many worlds. When reading, her imagination is no longer limited to her village or the confines of the Beast’s castle. However, in Jennifer Donnelly’s story—an expansion of the well-known Beauty and the Beast fairy tale—Belle comes upon an enchanted book called Nevermore in the Beast’s library and finds herself quite literally pulled into the pages of the book, which offers her a life she’s always dreamed of. But in Nevermore, everything is not what it seems, and once Belle gets lost in this book, she may not find her way out.
Beauty and the Beast Novelization, by Elizabeth Rudnick
Belle longs to escape her small-town life in this well-told novelization of the new Disney live-action film. But when her father is captured by a beast, she finds far more adventure than she could have imagined. In the book, readers find out more about the Beast’s backstory as well as Belle’s, offering a deeper look at these complex characters. This tale as old as time about beauty being much more than skin deep is a must for any fan of Beauty and the Beast.
Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Library, by Brittany Rubiano
A voracious reader, Belle is one of the best-known fictional bibliophiles. And this beautiful new volume offers a glimpse into her extensive book collection. Written in the format of a literary journal, the book contains inspiring quotes from some of Belle’s favorite books, personal musings, and sweet drawings. And as a bonus, the book’s foreword is written by Disney screenwriter Linda Woolverton.
For Teens:
As Old as Time (Twisted Tale Series #3), by Liz Braswell
The third book in the creative Twisted Tale series reimagines Disney’s telling of Beauty and the Beast, delivering an interesting twist on the classic story’s origins: What if it was Belle’s mother who cursed the Beast and all of his castle’s inhabitants? When Belle touches the enchanted rose in the Beast’s castle, she is suddenly flooded with memories of her mother, whom she thought she would never see again, and begins to uncover a dark secret about her own family.
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The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty’s Prince, by Serena Valentino
Die-hard fans of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will relish this chance to learn more about the mysterious Beast—a cursed prince, now a reclusive and bitter outcast. Belle, beautiful inside and out, doesn’t make her appearance in this prequel tale until near the end, giving readers adequate opportunity to get to know the Beast and his origins. Fans will also get the chance to meet new characters like the vengeful Odd Sisters in this intriguing middle grade read.