Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
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-- School Library Journal, 11/20/2007 6:20:00 AM
Become Enchanted
Written by Bill Kelly and directed by Kevin Lima, Enchanted (PG), a film that blends fantasy, romantic comedy, and musical elements, was released today by Walt Disney Pictures. Giselle (Amy Adams), a beautiful maiden who dwells in the animated fairy-tale world of Andalasia, dreams about finding romance. After the dashing Prince Edward (James Marsden) rescues her from a troll, she agrees to marry him the very next day.
However, their plans are thwarted when Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), the prince’s cruel stepmother, tricks Giselle into entering a magical portal, landing the young woman unexpectedly in the live-action world of current-day New York City. Adrift in a cold-hearted, unfamiliar realm, Giselle is aided by a kind lawyer (Patrick Dempsey) and his daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey), as she searches for her one true love and reexamines her concept of happily ever after. Go to EnchantedMovie.com for a preview and more information.
Movie tie-ins are available from Disney Press. The Movie Storybook (PreS–Gr 3) presents a neat summary of the plot, beginning with animated illustrations and then switching to live-action movie stills at the appropriate moment. Two 8 x 8 staple-bound storybooks (PreS–Gr 3) split the tale between them: Before the Fall, with illustrations from the animated portion of the film, retells the events set in Andalasia, ending with Giselle being pushed into a magic wishing well; A Storybook Life streamlines the rest of the happenings with live-action movie stills. Two similarly illustrated early readers (Gr 2–4) break the action into brief chapters. True Love’s Kiss recaps the entire plot, while A Dream Come True retells the story from Morgan’s point of view and focuses on her relationship with Giselle. The junior novel (Gr 3–6) offers a more fleshed-out version of the story; an eight-page inset includes captioned movie stills set against colorful backgrounds decorated with the animated characters.
May the Pop-Up Be with You
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the movie, Matthew Reinhart, paper sculptor extraordinaire, presents Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy (Scholastic/Orchard). Focusing on the original trio of films (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi) released by 20th Century Fox during late 1970s and early 1980s, this eye-catching volume provides an enticing look at George Lucas’s intricately imagined universe. Six spreads feature elaborate three-dimensional sculptures, including the Millennium Falcon, a detailed re-creation of the spaceport cantina on Tatooine, and Darth Vader (his burn-scarred face barely visible through his signature helmet). Smaller fold-out sections, also employing pop-ups, provide background on subjects such as space-faring vessels, the galaxy’s unusual denizens, villains and heroes of all species, and the power of the Force. The final spread depicts Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in a 3-D face-off, each with lightsaber in hand (and they really do light up!) This out-of-this-world offering will mesmerize Star Wars fans (both movie aficionados and devotees of the numerous book series), and while the volume’s delicate design makes it inappropriate for circulation, libraries might find it useful for displays or browsers (Gr 3 Up).
Pub Info
Enchanted
JONES, Jasmine. Enchanted: The Junior Novelization. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0471-1.
NATHAN, Sarah. A Dream Come True. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0909-9.
_____. The Movie Storybook. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0911-2.
_____. True Love’s Kiss. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0910-5.
REDBANK, Tennant. Before the Fall. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1079-8.
_____. A Storybook Life. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-1080-4.
ea vol: Disney Press. 2007.
REINHART, Matthew. Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy. Scholastic/Orchard. 2007. Tr $32.99. ISBN 978-0-439-88282-8.
