The Borrowed Rose: Beauty and the Beast Book Recommendations and Retellings

When I think of Beauty and the Beast tales, fantastical, magical settings come to mind.  I mean, in the original yarn by Madame Barbot de Villeneuve , Beauty was attended by birds and monkeys dressed in elegant attire, Beast and Beauty cavorted in nighttime dreams and Beast's mom was a cousin of Xena the Warrior Princess (not really, but could have been).  It certainly was not a proper Disney setting. Beauty and the Beast by Walter Crane While I enjoy an imaginative fantasy setting, it's fun to encounter a retelling of this favorite fairy tale as a different genre.  I've been reading romances for a long time, and worked in a bookstore in high school and college.  While I was mostly enamored of the sci fi / fantasy section of the store, I did enjoy a dalliance in the romance section to check out the new romance covers.   Those were the days when Harlequin Romances were issued monthly on a set schedule and Fabio with his long flowing locks graced the cove...

Roses play a significant role in many Beauty and the Beast tales. Have you ever wondered about the symbolism of the rose in Beauty and the Beast ?  Me too. Roses bid welcome on an ornate trellis before a lovely wrought door in an image by Tama66 via Pixabay The rose played a key role in the original tale by Madame Barbot de Villeneuve and in Madame LePrince de Beaumont's shortened version .   While I'm not a literary expert, I can wield a keyboard like a fiend.  Some research and voila, a few interesting tidbits.  We'll explore the setting at the time of the original tale and the importance of the rose in 18th century France when Mesdames Barbot de Villeneuve and LePrince de Beaumont penned their tales.  We'll also look into the symbolism of the rose and what it's hinting at for the leading characters. Beauty's Setting in the 1700s in France Decadence was happening in 18th century France.  Louis XV was king for most of the century.  Lush and lov...

Beauty and the Beast inspired tales and fairy tale retellings for the young adult audience are in abundance, and that's great, because we all need a touch of  BATB magic in our lives. 5 Beauty and the Beast Books for Young Adults with a New Angle Here are 5 Beauty and the Beast inspired young adult books that offer a new angle.  Let's read something, shall we? Hunted by Meagan Spooner Hunted is highly rated, and not just among Beauty and the Beast enthusiasts.  In this BATB -inspired tale, Beauty is a hunter who sets off to find her missing father in a cold, wintry setting.  What she finds are fantastical beasts and a Beast in need of rescue.  It's a beautifully written tale and perfect for young adult audiences. Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast  by Robin McKinley Robin McKinley is one of my favorite authors.  I just love her style.  McKinley's Beauty was one of the early BATB  retellings, published in 1978, long...

Halloween calls for completely necessary frippery.  And there's plenty of completely necessary and super fun Beauty and the Beast frippery to celebrate this favorite fairy tale.   artist Julia Volk via Pexels Check out these Beauty and the Beast Halloween ideas. Disney's™  Beauty and the Beast Costume Yes, you can always be Beauty and the Beast savvy with Disney themed costuming, like this dress for Belle . The Beast Halloween Costuming This is a good representation of Beast from quite a few of  retellings, and others would quickly spot you as the Beast. A Lovely 17th Century French Era Gown for Beauty If you'd like to be a true-to-the-times Beauty, this gown in pink reflects the 17th century - the time period of the original Beauty and the Beast tale .  Marie Antoinette set the style with lovely rococo designs.  You would indeed be the Belle of the ball in one of these gowns. Fairies Set the Stage & Ruled the Day in the Original Beauty and the ...

I see you there, you love Beauty and the Beast , too!  If you're on the hunt for new takes on this timeless classic, welcome! Grab a cuppa 🍵, find a comfy location and check out these six Beauty and the Beast inspired tales. 6  Beauty and the Beast  Fairytales to Read Today ➤ Three of the books on this list were read via Kindle Unlimited .  It's a great option to check out a variety of Beauty and the Beast tales or any other fairy tale you love.  🌹  A Ruin of Roses (Deliciously Dark Fairytales #1)  by  K.F. Breene The setting of this retelling is spicy, spicy.  Both Beauty & her Beast are dragon shifters fighting the curse of a demon-king. 🌹  The Beast:  A Beauty and the Beast Retelling (Twisted Kingdoms, Book 4) by Frost Kay Beauty is an adventurer for hire and adventures into the wrong lands.  This tale is a twist on Beauty and the Beast with magic and romance.  The Beast has iridescent scales.  Tempted to...

Are you like me?  You like to weave a little fairy tale magic into your daily routine?  Yes! It's back to school season - for kids and adults. I feel the pull of the back-to-school aisles, too!  Freshly sharpened pencils and a crisp new backpack.  I'm in.  New lunch box, backpack and cute shoes.  I'm in! And of course we want to share our love of Beauty and the Beast with the school and work crew.  Here are a few options to stay organized and ready for the year with understated fairytale style .   Cheerful and understated options to carry Beauty and the Beast with you throughout the day (updated for the 2024 school year) 2024 - 2025 Academic Planner  That's Coming up Roses! Staying organized is a must.  Staying organized in style... also a must.  I love this "Roosevelt Pink" 2024 - 2025 academic planner from Blue Sky. eatsleepdoodle Fairytale Color-in Pencil Case A fairytale pencil bag that you can color and customize.  Cute!...

Like many young girls in the 1980s, my love for fairy tales began with the Disney classics.  They are great, after all. My first favorite was Sleeping Beauty ... until Disney released Beauty and the Beast in November 1991, and I was hooked.  I loved Belle and the different kind of princess she brought to the classic mix.  She loved books and independence and deftly navigated those around her that didn't agree with her perspectives. I collected posters, the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack CD to memorize all song lyrics, figurines, dolls, you name it, I probably had it.  I really loved this movie… and I was a senior in high school.  We were not too cool for Beauty and the Beast . My high-school sweetheart liked to draw, and was a good artist.  For my birthday he drew a frame-worthy masterpiece of one of the ballroom scenes.  I loved it, and it proudly went to college with me.  I've saved the picture and toted it around with me for 30 years beca...