Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
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Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 5/5/2008 1:45:00 PM
It’s Panda-monium
Kung Fu Panda (PG), the latest in a spring deluge of family-friendly feature films, will be released in theaters on June 6, 2008. The CG-animated movie from DreamWorks is directed by John Stevenson and stars Po (voiced by Jack Black), an out-of-shape, food-loving giant panda who spends his days working at his father’s noodle shop and his nights dreaming about being a martial arts hero. When the villainous Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a snow leopard and kung fu expert, escapes imprisonment and threatens the safety of the Valley of Peace, a Dragon Warrior must be chosen to defeat him. Everyone expects one of the Furious Five—a group of formidable animal fighters—to be selected, but a prophecy names Po as the champion. Though unhappy with this outcome, wise Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), a small but steely red panda, perfects the ideal training regimen for his paunchy pupil. Will this reluctant hero find the courage, strength, and self-confidence needed to face this daunting challenge? The film also features the voices of Jackie Chan, Angeline Jolie, and Lucy Liu.
Kids can get a taste of the action at the official movie Web site, which is colorful and fun to explore. In addition to viewing video clips, visitors can find out about the characters (e.g., click on images of the Furious Five—Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper, and Monkey—to learn about each warrior’s personality and fighting style), enter and move around various Valley of Peace settings, and access games and downloads.
Movie Tie-in Books
HarperCollins is publishing several titles that will grab the eye of Kung Fu Panda fans. With colorful two-page paintings and a fast-paced narrative, The Movie Storybook (PreS–Gr 4) sums up the plot while conveying the tale’s humor and action. Two staple-bound storybooks (PreS–Gr 3) are illustrated with full-color movie stills: The Furious Five fills in more details about these legendary warriors and Master of Disaster describes Shifu’s unusual methods for training Po. Pairing simple language with movie-based paintings, two “I Can Read!” titles (PreS–Gr 2) are geared toward beginning readers and can also be shared aloud: Meet the Masters introduces the Furious Five and Po’s Crash Course focuses on the panda’s transformation from bumbling waiter to adept warrior.
Readers who like a little more depth can relive the action through The Secret of the Scroll (Gr 2–5), a quick-moving retelling illustrated with black-and-white movie images. Written in a straightforward style, The Junior Novel (Gr 2–6) recaps the plot and includes eight pages of full-color movie stills complete with fortune-cookie-style captions.
Finally, from DK Publishing, the picture-book-size Kung Fu Panda: The Warriors Guide provides eye-catching spreads focusing on various characters, locales, and plot elements. Consisting of brief text paragraphs, humorously labeled movie artwork, and “Fighting Facts” (tidbits about the martial arts and Chinese culture), this title is a great choice for browsers.
Consider displaying these tie-ins along with other works from your collection—including fiction and nonfiction books about the martial arts, well-known warriors, and China—to capture interest and extend the moviegoing experience.
Pub Info
HAPKA, Catherine, adapt. Kung Fu Panda: The Movie Storybook. illus. by Marcelo Matere & Justin Gerard. HarperEntertainment. 2008. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143464-8.
DRIGGS, Scout, adapt. Kung Fu Panda: The Furious Five. HarperEntertainment. 2008. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143457-0.
_____. Kung Fu Panda: Master of Disaster. HarperEntertainment. 2008. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143456-3.
HAPKA, Catherine, adapt. Kung Fu Panda: Meet the Masters. illus. by Charles Grosvenor & Lydia Halverson. HarperTrophy. 2008. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143460-0.
_____. Kung Fu Panda: Po’s Crash Course. illus. by Charles Grosvenor & Lydia Halverson. HarperTrophy. 2008. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143461-7.
BRIGHT, J. E., adapt. Kung Fu Panda: The Secret of the Scroll. HarperEntertainment. 2008. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143459-4.
KORMAN, Susan, adapt. Kung Fu Panda: The Junior Novel. HarperEntertainment. 2008. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-06-143463-1.
SCOTT, Heather. Kung Fu Panda: The Warriors Guide. DK. May 2008. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-3825-2.
