About the Book

This is a read-along edition with audio synced to the text, performed by Michael Morpurgo.

A captivating retelling of the nation’s favourite fairy tale, from the nation’s favourite storyteller, Michael Morpurgo.

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…

Critical Praise

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.

Product Details

• ISBN: 9780007515837
• ISBN 10: 0007515839
• Imprint: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
• On Sale: 11/28/2013
• Pages: 32
• List Price:9.99 CAD
• BISAC1 : JUVENILE FICTION / Classics
• BISAC2 : JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / General

Michael Morpurgo

Biography

Michael Morpurgo OBE is one of Britain's best-loved writers for children, and has sold more than 35 million books around the world. He has written more than 150 novels and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, the Whitbread Award and the Blue Peter Book Award, while several of his books have been adapted for stage and screen, including the global theatrical phenomenon War Horse. Michael was Children’s Laureate from 2003 to 2005, and founded the charity Farms for City Children with his wife, Clare. He was knighted in 2018 for services to literature and charity.

Other Works by Michael Morpurgo

• 

  Michael Morpurgo’s Tales from Shakespeare

  By Michael Morpurgo

• 

  Born to Run

  By Michael Morpurgo

• 

  Farm Boy

  By Michael Morpurgo

Other Works by Loretta Schauer

• 

  Snowy White (Fairy Tales for the Fearless)

  By Loretta Schauer

• 

  Cindergorilla (Fairy Tales for the Fearless)

  By Loretta Schauer

• 

  Rabunzel (Fairy Tales for the Fearless)

  By Loretta Schauer