The Beast and Beauty: Independent Reading Gold 9
Independent Reading Gold Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A modern twist on the classic tale, where Beauty is an adventurous young girl who meets Beast, a misunderstood creature, in a magical realm. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery and understanding.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think are the main differences between the Beast and Beauty in the story? How do they change by the end?
What would you do if you were in Beauty’s shoes when she first met the Beast?
How does the friendship between the Beast and Beauty grow? Can you think of a time when you made an unexpected friend?
What lessons do you think the story teaches us about how we see others and ourselves?
If you could add another character to the story, who would they be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that encourage your child to think more deeply about the characters and plot. Avoid yes or no questions to foster more engaging discussions.
Relate the themes of the story to your child’s own experiences. For example, discuss times when they have had to look beyond appearances to understand someone better.
After discussing the book, encourage your child to draw a scene from the story or a new character they would add. This helps to deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
Take turns summarizing parts of the story to each other. This can help reinforce comprehension and make the shared reading experience more interactive.
Praise your child’s responses and insights during the discussion to build their confidence and encourage their interest in analysis and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story showcases the unlikely friendship between the Beast and Beauty, emphasizing how they look beyond external appearances to understand each other's true nature.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect others' differences, fostering a more inclusive attitude towards peers who may look or act differently.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Beauty's unwavering determination to see the good in the Beast, despite his frightening appearance, demonstrates the power of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This tale encourages children to persist in their beliefs and efforts, even when faced with fear or uncertainty.
Example Lesson: The importance of looking beyond superficialities
Explanation: As Beauty grows to love the Beast, she discovers the rich inner world beneath his rough exterior, teaching that true worth is found beyond the surface.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand the value of delving deeper into personalities and situations rather than making quick judgments based on appearances.
Example Lesson: Redemption and change
Explanation: The Beast’s transformation as a result of Beauty's love and kindness illustrates that anyone can change for the better.
Real-World Application: Children learn that positive behavior and kindness can lead to personal growth and better relationships.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Beauty’s decision to live with the Beast, a frightening figure initially, shows immense bravery and courage.
Real-World Application: This story can inspire children to face their own fears and embrace new experiences as opportunities for growth.