It was long ago and far away that a French governess told her little pupils a wonderful story called Beauty and the Beast, about a pretty girl's love for a gentle but physically repulsive creature. That charming eighteenth-century tale of the transformative power of love has enchanted generations of readers and listeners to the present day. The story's fame has spread around the world in recent years via a classic animated film and a popular Broadway musical. Now this new edition of Beauty and the Beast will continue to captivate young audiences with its timeless appeal.
In addition to the title tale, this volume includes five stories by Charles Perrault, the noted French author and compiler of fairy tales. These include Blue Beard, the gripping legend of a curious bride and her ladykiller husband; Puss in Boots, in which a destitute miller's son trusts in his clever cat and receives a royal reward; and Little Tom Thumb, the adventures of a fellow who's small of stature but ample in wit. A pair of Perrault's lesser known tales are also included: The Fairies, a fable of kindness rewarded, and Ricky of the Tuft, an engaging story of the relative nature of beauty and wisdom.
Brimming with humor, drama, and fantasy, these six stories appear here in complete and unabridged form, each with an original full-page illustration by Kristine Bollinger.