Sing Me a Story with Belle is an American live-action/animated television series created by Patrick Davidson and Melissa Gould. The series features Belle from Disney's 1991 animated feature film Beauty and the Beast, who owns and manages the bookshop in her village. She is usually greeted by children who would like to hear a story. Belle interacts with the children and narrates vintage Disney animated shorts while doing activities around the bookstore. The series premiered on September 8, 1995, on Disney Channel.
Development According to Ken Weiner, vice president at Buena Vista Television, using vintage Disney animated shorts allows the show to present a higher quality of animation than would normally be feasible in an educational show that would meet the Federal Communications Commission's E/I standards.
By early 1995, it was said that the show would present two short films per episode (with updated music and voices), which Belle and the children would sometimes interrupt for discussion purposes or to "test cognitive abilities".
The show filmed at the Disney-MGM Studios park of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
To promote the series, lead actress Lynsey McLeod made public appearances as Belle the 1996 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
In an interview with set designer Jimbo Marshall, he said, "First of all, this is a book shop, so we have shelf after shelf overflowing with books -- 3,000 real books. We wanted the look of real dimension that you just can't get with prop books.... The stair railings are decorated with musical notes and treble clefs. The shop is really a reflection of Belle's personality, full of music and wonder and fun."
Plot Belle (Lynsey McLeod) after having married the prince, bought the bookshop in her village. Helping her are Lewis and Carroll, two magical bookworms, Harmony the Cat and Big Book, a large talking book. The bookstore is visited by local children to whom Belle will sing songs and tell stories, usually with a moral relating to something that's happened that day. Clips from vintage Disney cartoons would often be used to illustrate the stories.
Cast Lynsey McLeod - Belle from Beauty and the Beast Tim Goodwin - Brioche Jacob Chase - Jacob Kirsten Storms - Kirsten Shawn Pyfrom - Shawn Hampton Dixon - 'Little' Hampton Jennifer Jesse - Jennifer Natalie Trott - Natalie Julie Vanlue - Julie Kerry Anne Bradford - Kerry Anne Chris Robles - Chris J. J. Ward - J. J. Lindsay Louie - Lindsay Trevor Mann - Trevor Holly Arnstein - Holly Victoria Gregson - Victoria Justin Chapman - Justin Crysta Macalush - Crysta Faryn Einhorn - Faryn Corey Hayes - Corey Thea Cabreros - Thea Kristian Truelsen - Uncle Zack Wolf Bauer - Gaston (1 episode, "What's Inside Counts") Cyndi Vicino - Inez Mary Pat Gleason - Madame Soufflé Lindsey Alley - Miss Woohoo
Voices Tress MacNeille - Daisy Duck, Lambs, Tillie Tiger, Chip Mary Kay Bergman - Fifi, Hansel & Gretel, Elf, Witch Sterling Holloway - Winnie the Pooh, Tigger Christine Cavanaugh - Carroll the Book Worm Jeff Conover - Harmony the Cat Jim Cummings - Big Book, Lewis the Book Worm Eddie Carroll - Jiminy Cricket Wayne Allwine - Mickey Mouse Tony Anselmo - Donald Duck Bill Farmer - Goofy, Pluto, Practical Pig Russi Taylor - Minnie Mouse, Huey, Dewey, Louie Maurice LaMarche - Mortimer Mouse, Joe Giraffe Corey Burton - Ghosts, Dale Will Ryan - Willie the Giant Anita Gordon - The Golden Harp
Episodes (including featured animated subjects) EpisodeTitleSummaryAirdate1Everybody Needs a FriendBelle and Brioche the Baker show everyone especially Big Book that everybody needs a friend. Disney Stories: Pluto's Fledgling (1948), Little Hiawatha (1937) September 8, 19952Feeling Like an OutcastBelle explains that everybody and thing is different as she finds an old and dusty book and Julie has new glasses. Disney Stories: Ferdinand the Bull (1938), Elmer Elephant (1936) September 15, 19953Folk HeroesBelle sings the story of the biggest folk hero who towers them all. Disney Stories: Paul Bunyan (1958) September 22, 19954Everyone's SpecialTiny Hampton feels inferior. Disney Stories: Goliath II (1960) September 29, 19955Stick to It (Don't Give Up)Inez the village mail carrier is not sure that she can stick to her job and Jennifer is not sure that she can stick to playing the trumpet. Disney Stories: Mail Dog (1947), The Brave Engineer (1950) October 6, 19956Taking ResponsibilityCarroll takes full responsibility after accidentally knocking Belle's Bach bust off the shelf. Disney Stories: Little Toot (1948), In Dutch (1946) October 13, 19957Working TogetherThe kids help Belle clean up the bookshop except Kirsten. Disney Stories: Morris the Midget Moose (1950), Babes in the Woods (1932) October 20, 19958Overcoming FearBelle tells everybody that they should face their fears like a thunderstorm. Disney Stories: Lambert the Sheepish Lion (1952), Brave Little Tailor (1938) October 27, 19959Problem Solving: IngenuityBelle is trying fix a broken cello shown at the end belonging to Willie the Giant. Disney Stories: Mickey and the Beanstalk (1947)November 3, 1995 10Valuing What's WorthyAxle the auto mechanic arrives at the bookshop as everyone is having a garage sale. Disney Stories: Susie the Little Blue Coupe (1952), The Little House (1952) November 10, 199511Reap What You SowShawn and Harmony won't help with some chili that everybody is making. Disney Stories: The Wise Little Hen (1934), Three Little Pigs (1933) November 17, 199512Best FriendsLewis and Carroll have a big fight. Disney Stories: Goofy and Wilbur (1939), The Pelican and the Snipe (1944) November 24, 199513Taking the Easy Way OutPutting a bike together is easy if you don't take shortcuts. Disney Stories: The Grasshopper and the Ants (1934), The Big Bad Wolf (1934) December 1, 199514Steady EffortChris is about to give up on learning a musical piece on the piano that he will be playing at the village fair because it is too hard and Brioche reminds Belle that she has to bake 200 chocolate chip cookies for the village fair and is not sure that she can do it. Disney Stories: The Tortoise and the Hare (1935), Pedro (1943) December 8, 199515Sibling RivalryBig Book isn't talking to his brother as he was the one who lost Big Book's favourite bookmark. Disney Stories: Pluto's Kid Brother (1946) December 15, 199516Feeling Left Out (Loneliness)Harmony wants to join the Witty Kitty Club. Disney Stories: Ugly Duckling (1939), The Cold-Blooded Penguin (1945) December 22, 199517Wonderful World of MusicBelle's Uncle Zack arrives at the book and music shop on the day of his concert just as Shawn is trying to pick a musical instrument to play. Disney Stories: Music Land (1935) December 29, 199518Creativity and InspirationMaurice is stumped on an invention. Disney Stories: Goofy's Glider (1940), Mickey's Trailer (1938) January 5, 199619TemptationCarroll finds Madame Soufflé's birthday cake very tempting. Disney Stories: Moth and the Flame (1938), Pinocchio (1940) January 12, 199620SleepoverBelle invites everybody for a slumber party at the bookshop. Disney Stories: Lonesome Ghosts (1937), Wynken, Blynken and Nod (1938) May 3, 199621Talent ShowBelle and her friend Pierre help Justin find his special talent. Disney Stories: Mickey's Amateurs (1937), Mickey's Circus (1936) May 10, 199622What's Inside CountsGaston has invited everybody to his Gaston Day party, which is why nobody has come to the kids' magic show. Disney Stories: Mickey's Rival (1936), The Cookie Carnival (1935) May 17, 199623Be YourselfJulie is being Belle instead of being herself. Disney Stories: The Flying Mouse (1934), Society Dog Show (1939) May 24, 199624Friends in BooksHarmony is writing a book to put on one of Belle's shelves but there is no room. Disney Stories: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) February 15, 199725Make a DifferenceBelle explains to the kids that people in the world can make a difference. Disney Stories: The Legend of Johnny Appleseed (1948) February 22, 199726Do SomethingBelle thinks that she should get in the game. Disney Stories: Goofy Gymnastics (1949), How to Play Baseball (1942), How to Play Golf (1944), How to Play Football (1944), Wonder Dog (1950) March 1, 1997
Syndication This series premiered in first-run syndication in select markets as a sneak preview on September 8, 1995. In August 1996, two videos featuring two episodes each were released as part of the Disney Princess Collection: Chapters of Enchantment and Beauty and the World of Music. In August 1999, two episodes from the first season were released with an episode of an abandoned Beauty and the Beast animated series on the direct-to-video film Belle's Tales of Friendship.
Two episodes were also featured separately as an extra in both the 2011 re-release of Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, and Belle's Magical World.
References
External links
Sing Me A Story With Belle official webpage via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine Sing Me A Story With Belle clips via the Internet Archive Wayback Machine
Retrojunk section on Sing Me A Story With Belle, includes video of the opening sequence