by Alan Menken
First published 2017
In a whimsical reimagining of a classic tale, a young woman named Belle stumbles upon a cursed castle, where a once-handsome prince has been transformed into a fearsome beast. As she navigates the castle's enchanted halls, Belle discovers a magical recorder that allows her to bring the Beast's inner humanity to life through music. But with a scheming suitor determined to win her hand, Belle must use her musical gifts to break the curse and uncover the true beauty within the Beast before time runs out.
Genres: fantasy, music, fairy-tale-retellings
Vibes: emotional, lyrical, whimsical
Tropes: curse, found-family