Beauty and the Beast facts for kids
Beauty and the Beast is a classic French folk story. It tells the magical tale of a kind young woman and a mysterious Beast. The story teaches us that true beauty is found inside, not just on the outside. It shows how love can change everything.
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The Story of Beauty and the Beast
The story begins with a merchant who gets lost in a dark forest. He finds a grand, empty castle and picks a single rose for his daughter, Beauty. Suddenly, a fearsome beast appears! The Beast is angry about the rose and threatens to kill the merchant.
To save his life, the merchant makes a deal. He promises to send one of his daughters to live with the Beast. Beauty, being brave and loving, volunteers to go. She leaves her family and moves into the Beast's enchanted castle.
At first, Beauty is scared of the Beast. But as time passes, she gets to know him. She discovers that despite his scary looks, the Beast is kind and gentle. They become good friends, and Beauty starts to see beyond his appearance. Eventually, she falls in love with him. When Beauty truly loves the Beast, the spell breaks. The Beast transforms back into a handsome prince.
Who Wrote This Famous Tale?
The story of Beauty and the Beast has been told in many ways over the years. The first full version was written in 1740 by Madame Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. Her story was quite long and detailed.
Later, in 1756, Madame Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont wrote a shorter, simpler version. This version is the one most people know today. It made the story popular for many generations of readers.
Beauty and the Beast in Movies and Shows
This beloved story has inspired many different movies, TV shows, and plays. Its message about inner beauty has touched hearts around the world.
- Early TV Series: In the 1980s, a TV series based on the story was made. It starred Linda Hamilton and Ron Pearlman.
- Classic Films: One of the most famous early movies was made in 1946 by Jean Cocteau. Later, Disney created a hugely popular 1991 animated movie. This Disney film was so good that it was even nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award!
- Broadway Musical: The Disney animated movie also led to a very successful Broadway musical. It ran for many years and brought the magic of the story to the stage.
Images for kids
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Illustration by Warwick Goble.
See also
In Spanish: La Bella y la Bestia para niños
