Once upon a time, the best hairdresser in all the land, Kittie Lacey, was hard at work preparing everyone for the birthday ball of Cinderella's and Prince Charming's baby boy...
Anyway, for a well-needed break and rest, Kittie goes on a picnic with her artist friend Bella, "the most beautiful girl in Fairyland." Uuuhhh, Snow White called... wait, actually, she's the "fairest" in the land, and, as 'Princeless' clearly states, there is a difference between being "beautiful" and "fair" - fair means white, and the Beauty in this 'Beauty and the Beast' retelling is Black.
ANYWAY, Bella has a unicorn for a steed, and at their picnics, while Kittie does her hair, Bella paints and sketches. Then it rains, and the two girls and their unicorn take shelter in the Beast's castle to save Bella's paintings. The Beast has a reputation of being mean and scary, and at first Bella is afraid of him (Kittie isn't - friend to all that she is). But the furry, grumpy "monster" is actually nice and shy, and very cultured. He and Bella get along well. Once the rain stops, the girls leave, with Bella promising to finish her portrait of Beast as soon as she can.
On the day of the royal infant's birthday ball, Beast comes into Kittie's salon all upset. Bella hasn't had time to visit him, and he fears she would never love a beast like him. It is here, to Kittie, that he finally lets someone in and reveals his past as a vain prince who was cursed by an old woman (a witch? A fairy? It's unclear) to look like a beast. To try and cheer him up and ease his trauma, the smiley, optimistic Kittie washes him up, and makes him look neat, polished and shiny.
They go to the birthday party together, where Bella presents her painting of Cinderella's baby, and where the birthday boy himself goes missing, and is found dangling from a chandelier! The cursed prince saves the baby prince, and the chandelier falls on top of Beast (I think? The artwork doesn't actually show it on him, more to the side of him. Too violent and scary? But we've seen worse in this series!).
Bella's breaking heart and kissing his fur (I could've worded that better, couldn't I?) breaks the spell, and Beast is changed back into the handsome Prince Beau. Bella recognises him for who he is on the inside, and Kittie fashions him a new, cute, wild, hot look. Many weeks later, Bella and Beau are married, and they give Kittie great portraits of her, in the form of a pop culture reference.
Wait, what about the fairy/witch who cursed Beau? Where is she?
Phew! What a different yet no less fun and creative 'Beauty and the Beast' retelling. Hairdressing and hairstyling are incorporated well into the story, and it is by far the funniest, cleverest, and most pop culture-heavy in references and innuendos in the artwork of all the 'The Fairytale Hairdresser' books. The Beast's castle is full of them, as are Bella's paintings and Kittie's choices in clothing and styling Beast once he is turned back into Prince Beau.
But just once I'd like to see the Beast remain beastly. That would have been an even better twist to the tale. On the other hand, I can see why it would be extremely problematic for a POC Beauty to fall for and marry a beast.
In addition to its comedy and heart, I also like that 'The Fairytale Hairdresser and Beauty and the Beast', unlike a lot of the series' instalments, doesn't copy its character designs mostly from the Disney films. As already mentioned, Bella is Black, and she is an artist, not really a reader of books. Beast's castle has a lot of "interesting" books, however, and Bella wears a yellow dress.
I can't believe I only now realised that each of 'The Fairytale Hairdresser' books take place during different seasons. Like this one takes place in autumn.
Final superfluous note: Beast has a pet falcon. Where does it go once he is Beau again, though?
Cameos include: the Three Little Pigs, Humpty Dumpty, Rose (Sleeping Beauty), Snow White, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Nutcracker and Clara, Puss in Boots, Goldilocks, the Little Mermaid, Jack Frost, the Snow Queen, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and more.
Gorgeous and cute (and miscellaneous)! This children's fairy tale picture book series is a cut above the rest!
... I'll shut myself up in my enchanted castle now.
Final Score: 3.5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment