A princess of colour, Lex, is a bookworm who lives on a planet full of books and bookworms. But due to a fairy's curse cast on her at the celebration ball of her birth, on her fifteenth birthday all of her books, and the books of her people, are sent away; as it is fated that she will get a paper cut and fall into an enchanted sleep that will last forever without a true love's kiss. So Lex uses her knowledge from books to find the fairy who cursed her, and persuade her to lift the bitter enchantment - and help her in others ways. In ways that show how reading can improve your life.
Need I say more? The premise by itself is as intriguing as it is intoxicating.
There could have been more to 'Reading Beauty', I think, which keeps it from being brilliant and charming up to heart-souring levels. Similar to Deborah Underwood's previous fairy tale feminist retelling picture book, 'Interstellar Cinderella', for all its merits, it is rather too short. But its ideas and morals are great, and so are its soft, multiple-palette artwork, and rhymes.
The Sleeping Beauty in this tale is never comatose. She never wants or needs a love interest, and she's independent, smart and resourceful.
Add in strong sci-fi as well as fantasy elements, plus a loyal, loving and friendly dog sidekick named Prince, and you're all set.
Clever and cute.
Final Score: 4/5
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