The Lady and The Lion retold by Laurel Long and Jacqueline K. Ogburn

The Lady and The Lion 

retold by Laurel Long and Jacqueline K. Ogburn   

illustrated by Laurel Long

Library

Picture Book

2003

Book Jacket Summary

Love and honor can overcome even the fiercest obstacles, as we see in this spellbinding fairy tale, with shades of "Beauty and the Beast." To save her father, a young woman must go to the castle of a menacing lion. She fears for her life, but finds kindness rather than danger there, for the lion by day is a gentle young man by night-a prince under the spell of a wicked enchantress. Soon the lady and the lion fall in love.

Unlike the more familiar tale, however, this story has only just begun. The prince is not yet safe from the enchantress, and it will take all of the lady's strength and courage, through a seven-year quest, to rescue him. Dazzlingly romantic and visually magnificent, this is a book for the ages-an exhilarating tale of virtue, heroism, and the power of love.

My Thoughts

I was searching through our stacks and pulled out this beautifully illustrated fairy tale. It combines Beauty and the Beast and East of the Sun, West of the Moon to make a perfect fairy tale. East of the Sun, West of the Moon is my favorite fairy tale and I love any rendition that is out there. I always felt it was a type of Beauty and the Beast story anyway and seeing them combined makes it perfect. The author’s note says that this tale is also known as The Singing, Springing Lark. I will have to look that one up soon! So glad I was combing through our stacks because I would have missed this one! 

I cannot fully explain how beautiful the illustrations are in this book. This is what I think of when I envision what a fairy tale world would look like. The gowns are gorgeous and intricate. I am Laurel Long’s newest fan and I will be trying to collect all her book covers. Check out her website: http://laurellong.com/Home.html.

Book Pairings

Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft

Beauty and the Beast  by Marianna Mayer

East o' the Sun and West o' the Moon by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen