The story of Belle (book from 1998, Princess collection)
Back in 1998, I remember this collection of books came out, telling the stories of Disney movies from the protagonists' perspectives.
In Belle's book, they delve a little into her family history and what happened before she and Maurice arrived in the village. It touches on the story of Maurice and Arlette, Belle's mother, explaining that she came from a wealthy family and gave it all up to marry Maurice, and how deeply her death impacted both her daughter and husband. It also discusses Belle's growing feelings for the Beast during her time at the castle.
This book also features Jeannine, a shepherdess who was Belle's friend but ultimately joins the mob that attacks the Beast's castle, believing everything Gaston says.
The author is Manola Carli
I have these books in Spanish because that's how I got them; I don't know if they were published in English.
It's worth noting that I also have the books about Esmeralda (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and Ariel (The Little Mermaid), the latter narrated as a diary that shows why Ariel didn't grab a piece of paper and write to Erik about what was really happening.
I remember seeing the book about Pocahontas at one point, but I didn't buy it.
Were you familiar with this book?