Thank you NetGalley and Picture Window Books for an ARC of Beauty and the Beast. I am an avid Disney fan and was really looking forward to reading a new adaptation in the form of a graphic novel.. I found this book to be a great stepping stone or introductory piece to graphic novels for older students. This one brought in some fun differences, but I am not sure about the addition of the sisters. The illustrations were beautiful and will be the star in this adaptation.

'Beauty and the Beast' adapted by Jessica Gunderson with illustrations by Thais Damiao is a graphic novel for young readers, including an introduction to how to read a graphic novel.

In this version of the story, Beauty has two sisters named Gritty and Petty. While Beauty likes books, Gritty is in to fashion and jewels and Petty is vain. When Beauty's father tries to bring a flower for her from what he thinks is an abandoned castle, he has to strike a bargain to save his life. His faithful daughter steps in to save her father's life, but what is she getting herself in to?

I liked this adaptation of the story. At first, the addition of the sister's felt odd, but they only serve to give more information about Beauty's character. The art is a really nice style. I think young readers would enjoy this introductory graphic novel.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Capstone and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

What I loved: The art work here is lovely! That's what drew me to the book in the first place. I also loved that it shows readers how to negotiate a graphic novel. Since this is for young readers - 5-7 or so - this is a great idea. The back matter - discussion questions, a craft, etc. is fun.

Otherwise, this was only okay for me. Beauty's sisters feel like they belong in a Cinderella story instead, and then they don't really do anything but make snide comments. There so little conflict in this, which I thought was odd because many readers, even at this young age, will have seen the Disney movie of the story, so they will be familiar with that version already. They could handle some conflict in this one, in my opinion.

It was a lot of fun reading a new version of this classic tale. There were a few new twists put in, but this in no way harms the story. The Beast looked a tad different, yet again this wasn’t a bad thing. This may not be a version for everyone, but kids are sure to enjoy it.

This was a fun and interesting take on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. I would love to see more of the classic tales tackled in such a way, and hope to see them! In the meantime, at least I can reread this one again (it's worth it).

I received a copy of this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I adore both the original Grimms version of "Beauty and the Beast" as well as the classic disney adaptation of the story so I was really looking forward to this one. I love to see new takes on a familiar story and this does well in mixing some of older story elements with the new.

I liked the diversity of the characters but it felt very superficial and beyond a change in skin color it did not really add anything new to the story. Similarly, the art style felt very hollow, almost meme-able and while that might be fun for a very young audience it will leave slightly older ones unmoved.

The story itself was very simplistic with minimal text. Fairy tales are something I grew up with and they were my first things I learned to read and re-read over and over again. Even though these books are meant for children, it was too dumbed down and certainly not something that would age well. Ultimately, this version is dissapointing. 2 stars.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Capstone for this arc.

I was really eager to read this short graphic novel because I'm a huge fan of fairytales and subversive retellings of them. So the premise of diverse characters automatically drew me in. But as some other reviewers pointed out I couldn't find anything diverse other than the characters' skin color. There was no change to the story's main plot, ending or the character portrayal to cause any diversity and the dialogues in the story seemed lacking to me. I think it can be appealing to the 4-8 age demographic but for older children or adults who want to read something cute, it is too simple.

Illustrations, on the other hand, are beautiful and cute with vibrant colors, I just wish the story was told in more detail.

My Review: Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite fairy tales and of course Disney movies. I really enjoyed this graphic novel adaptation of the story. It combined some elements from the original story along with some elements from the more popular and common Disney version. Gunderson also added some diversity to the story. It is definitely meant for a younger audience, I think kids from 6-8 would really enjoy it. There isn't a lot of text on the pages, and the illustrations are simple and bold with a more standard panel format to assist younger readers with following the story. There were also great follow up activities at the end of the book, including discussion questions, writing prompts and craft projects.

My Rating: This is great adaptation of the story we are all so familiar with, I love the blend of some of the variation of the Beauty and the Beast story. I also enjoyed the unique take with the illustrations. I give it a rating of Three Paws.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley and the publishers.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It's a perfect read for me at this time because I'm falling into a reading slump, but this book is such a light and fun read. It retained the classic story, yet the illustrations are really beautiful and the prompts at the end are really helpful.

I am excited for this book to be release so that I can get copies and give it to my goddaughters. ♥

Super short and basic graphic novel of the story we all know and love for kids. There were even discussion questions and craft ideas in the back. Great art, very fun!

The illustrations are beautiful.
But the story is very simplistic.
I think even children would find this brief.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* so this would be good for kids learning to read but its very simplistic and quick paced, I do like the art work though

Though the illustrations were beautiful this was an overly simplified version of Beauty and the Beast.

The author and artist have created a nicely done graphic novel designed for 2-7 year old children (i.e. Pre K-3rd grade). This 32+ page book not only presents a simplified version of the familiar story but also provides some guidance for the child in how to read a graphic novel and aids that could be used by teachers or parents to enhance the reading experience.

[Sample Frame Here]

Though the story and presentation was a bit less than I, as an adult reader, might want; the book is just about perfect for the young reader. The pictures are large and colorful. They lack some of the detail seen in more typical comic books, but would be eye-catching to the child. The vocabulary is also appropriate for the young reader - though, as one might expect, the pre-reader would need help in getting through the book. I could easily see buying a copy for my granddaughter who is mentoring 1st grade or my grandson who is entering kindergarten - both would enjoy having a copy in their own hands.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley.

I think this was super cute if not a bit quick. It felt a bit rushed but seeing as it’s demographic isn’t me I can see why. However very well done & definitely would grab a child’s attention especially one new to comics.

The storyline was one were already familiar with but with some twists. In this story beauty is her real name, she has two sisters & her father. Who are very reminiscent of Cinderella’s stepsisters just without the step. They were once wealth & well off til (with no further details) the father loses it all right before the story begins. Leaves to visit the city one day & gets lost on his way home stumbles upon thee castle. His youngest daughter ,beauty, asked for one thing- a single rose. He sees a bouquet of roses on the table as he enters & approaches taking a single rose out. Enter the beast: he yells at the father, threatening him exclaiming those roses are his only bit of true living beauty around. The father thinking out loud mentions his daughter of the same name & beast demands he send her back. He leaves & unwillingly tells his daughter & the good hearted daughter she is leaves to fulfill her father’s promise. In turn she stays for an unstated amount of time & has to leave in a haste scared her father is deathly ill. She returns home to find her father sick... with worry. Her sisters upon seeing her return with fancy shoes & a beautiful dress are jealous & don’t want her to go back so they convince her to stay. She awakens in fright from a dream of a hurt beast & the only way to sooth her heart is to check on him so she flees to him. She finds him on the floor & begs him to awaken claiming her love for him & then he does. He explains his curse & they live happily ever after.

This is a brief retelling of Beauty and the Beast in graphic-novel format. The text is very simple, roughly late-first-grade/early-second-grade level. It's not beautiful text but it's not too clunky. The art is rather angular yet pleasant, and all characters except the Beast have medium-brown skin, dark eyes, and black hair.

Enjoyable but not exceptional.

This graphic novel version of Beauty and the Beast is a bridge to get reluctant readers into a new style or genre. Gunderson's version is simplified, easy to follow and has inviting graphics. Would love to have a copy in the classroom to suggest to even the most resistant reader.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a digital copy to read and review. This in no way impacted my opinions.


This is clearly a graphic novel for young children who have never read a graphic novel before.

At the beginning, it so wonderfully explains how to read a graphic novel, including adding sound effects when you read, too. I love that. I could have used that when I was a kid.

The story is a very simplified version of the regular Beauty and the Beast fairy tale – minus the people turned into appliances and crockery. The beast is alone in his castle, and only has roses for company.

While I appreciate that this was an extremely simplified version for the sake of young children, was quite thrown by the fact that Beauty suddenly loved Beast?

That aside, I think the illustrations are incredible. It was wonderful to see Beauty as a woman of colour, and also to see that she had two sisters as well.


Teachers and educators will definitely appreciate, and no doubt make use, of the wonderful selection of questions for children to answer. As well as instructions on how to make a paper rose


3/5 stars from me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Capstone for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest review.

This was so cute and sweet. A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, this is perfect for introducing the tale to children if you want to avoid Disney. I loved the fact that the artist chose not to depict Beauty as so many do, with fair skin and dark hair! A lovely read, and I will definitely buy this for friends with children!

A bit of an oversimplification of the story. Good artwork. The characters and their actions were not completely believable, but probably enough for the reading level.