Award-winning Michael Morpurgo gives a fresh and lively retelling of this classic fairy story of how a generous-hearted girl gives herself to a monster only to find that he is not so monstrous after all… Loretta Schauer, winner of the 2012 Waterstones Picture This competition, brings the story to life for a contemporary audience.
After encountering a fearsome beast at a mysterious palace, down-on-his-luck merchant Marco is forced to make a promise in exchange for his life: he must persuade one of his three daughters to return to the palace in his place - but she must come of her own free will. Beautiful, kind-hearted Belle agrees at once to return to the palace, and there she and the Beast exist companionably, with the Beast asking of Belle the same question at the end of each day: Dearest Belle, will you marry me? After a return home to consult with her father, Belle resolves to follow her heart and return to the Beast, but her plans are thwarted by the trickery of her jealous sisters. When, at last, Belle is able to find her way back to the palace, she finds her beloved Beast lying as still as death on the ground. As Belle's tears fall on his face, the Beast is transformed into a handsome prince - the ancient spell upon him broken by Belle's tears of true love...
Praise for Michael Morpurgo:
Michael Morpurgo writes brilliantly about war and animals, conveying the big emotions without preaching. - The Guardian
Champagne quality over a wide range of subjects. - Daily Telegraph
There are few children's writers as compelling as Michael Morpurgo. - Daily Express
Morpurgo's gift is to make this long-ago world of danger and heartbreak accessible without ever patronising his young readers. - Sunday Mercury
Morpurgo, as always, is subtle and skillful, and incorporates social and moral issues into his writing without being self-righteous or detracting from the quality of the narrative Elizabeth Reilly - British Council
The former children's laureate has the happy knack of speaking to both child and adult readers. -The Guardian
ISBN: 9780007564118
Publication date: 01/01/2015
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Mixed media product
ISBN: 9780007513406
Publication date: 06/06/2013
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Paperback
| ISBN: | 9780007513406 |
| Publication date: | 6th June 2013 |
| Author: | Michael Morpurgo |
| Illustrator: | Loretta Schauer |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins Children's Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 32 pages |
| Suitable for: | 3+ readers, 5+ readers |
| Genres: | Traditional Tales |
| Recommendations: | eBooks |
Winner of J M Barrie Award 2016 March 16 was Michael Morpurgo month on Lovereading4kids - click here to view the favourites we selected on themes of Legends, Animals, War and Journeys. Michael Morpurgo, OBE, MBE, is one of the UK’s best-loved authors and storytellers. He was appointed Children’s Laureate in May 2003, a post he helped to set up with his friend Ted Hughes in 1999. He was awarded an OBE for services to Literature in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2007. He has written over 120 books, including Kensuke’s Kingdom which won the Children’...
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