Happily Ever After: Beauty and the Beast
Happily Ever Afters Series
What’s inside...
On a dark day, Beauty sets out to meet the Beast in his castle. Despite her fear, she must learn to see past the Beast's appearance to discover the true character beneath. Helene Magisson enhances the story with her beautiful illustrations. This book is brand new and has the same ISBN as listed; please double-check the ISBN carefully before ordering.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Beauty felt when she first arrived at the Beast’s castle? What would you do in her place?
What changes did you notice in the Beast’s behavior as the story progressed? What do you think caused these changes?
Beauty and the Beast both learn to look beyond appearances by the end of the story. Why is it important to see beyond how someone or something looks?
What do you think is the most important lesson Beauty learned? What about the Beast?
If you could add another character to the story, who would it be and what role would they play?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, validating their emotions and viewpoints.
Ask your child to relate the story to their personal experiences, such as times they had to adapt to new environments or learned to see something in a different way.
Discuss the concept of transformation and growth in the story, highlighting how both Beauty and the Beast evolve. Connect these themes to real-life situations of change and learning.
Use the story as a gateway to explore themes of kindness and understanding with your child, discussing the importance of these values in everyday life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Kindness and Compassion
Explanation: In the story, Beauty shows unwavering kindness and compassion towards the Beast, despite his frightening appearance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to look beyond external appearances and show kindness to everyone they meet, fostering a more inclusive and friendly environment at school and in social circles.
Example Lesson: The importance of inner beauty
Explanation: Beauty’s ability to see past the Beast’s exterior to recognize the goodness inside him ultimately leads to his transformation.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value personal qualities and character over outward appearances, promoting self-esteem and empathy in real-life interactions.
Example Lesson: The power of love and sacrifice
Explanation: Beauty sacrifices her freedom and stays with the Beast to save her father, demonstrating deep love and selflessness.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of sacrificing for loved ones and the transformative power of love in strengthening relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Beauty shows courage when she agrees to stay at the Beast's castle, a place that initially scared her.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that facing fears can lead to new opportunities and personal growth, helping them to embrace challenges in school and life with confidence.
Example Lesson: Redemption and Change
Explanation: The Beast's transformation back into a prince teaches that people can change for the better when given love and a chance.
Real-World Application: This highlights the importance of giving people second chances and supports the idea that positive environments can foster behavioral change.