Families who loved Cerise and the Beast by Lisa Shea often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent would reach for this book when their child feels the weight of family legacy or struggles to find their own voice while being compared to a high-achieving sibling. While set in a whimsical fantasy world, the story addresses the very real pressure children feel to conform to roles that do not fit their true personalities. In this Ever After High adventure, Cerise Hood and Dexter Charming are magically dropped into the story of Beauty and the Beast. Cerise, who values her wild independence, and Dexter, who lives in his brother's shadow, must navigate a scripted fairy tale where they feel like misfits. It is a gentle, entertaining read for children ages 8 to 12 that validates the choice to be yourself over being perfect. Parents will appreciate how the story uses a 'messed up' fairy tale to model healthy self-acceptance and the value of non-traditional strengths.