Book excerpt: A classic fairy tale set in the renaissance period, the story begins in a humble woodcutters cottage on the edge of the forest in the kingdom of Antwin, with a couple who desperately desire a child of their own. Suddenly they discover one day they are expecting. Their little girl is brought into their world like every other child, with one exception: she is born extremely ugly. From then on she finds herself rejected and friendless because no one is able to see her value and worth beyond her appearance, including herself, until she has the most heartbreaking day of her life. It is on that same day that she has an unusual meeting with a mystical being in light. After this encounter, it seems everything in her life begins to change. Follow this young girls story as she journeys through fear, love, and hopelessness to finally find real joy as well as acceptance from others and from herself.