Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
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Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 10/6/2008
Fairy Fanfare
Tinker Bell (G), a direct-to-DVD computer-animated film from Walt Disney Pictures, will be released on October 28, 2008. Starring the character originally created by J. M. Barrie and prominently featured in Disney’s classic Peter Pan (1955), this movie is set in the magical realm of Never Land. The Never fairies each possess a special talent, and Tinker Bell, the newest inhabitant of Pixie Hollow, has a knack for fixing and inventing things. Still, she longs to travel to the mainland with the nature fairies to assist with the changing of seasons, and tries to learn a different skill. Her repeated efforts result in catastrophe—and the possibility that spring may not arrive this year—until Tinker Bell, with the help of fairy friends, discovers the importance of remaining true to her own heart.
Tinker Bell, voiced by Mae Whitman, will talk for the first time ever in a Disney rendition of the story. The cast also includes Raven-Symoné as Iridessa, America Ferrera as Fawn, Lucy Liu as Silvermist, Kristin Chenoweth as Rosetta, and Anjelica Huston as Queen Clarion. Kids can flutter over to the “Disney Fairies” Web site for a preview of the movie, intros to the characters, games and crafts, and more fairy fun. The site also includes a section for parents with activities and access to a newsletter.
Welcome to Pixie Hollow
The “Disney Fairies” franchise expands greatly upon Barrie’s original story, providing more details about the sprites, introducing new characters, and delineating a more fully imagined setting. A related book line was launched with Gail Carson Levine’s best-selling Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg (2005), elegantly illustrated by David Christiana, followed by a sequel, Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand (2007, both Disney Press).
Young fairy fanatics may also be familiar with Random House’s “Tales of Pixie Hollow” chapter book series, which pairs accessible text with airy, full-color artwork. Two of these titles, The Trouble with Tink (2006) and Tink, North of Never Land (2007), both written by Kiki Thorpe and illustrated by Judith Holmes Clarke, have been reissued in one easy-to-grab Tinker Bell tome (2008, all Random House). Pull out or reorder these books to catch the attention of pixie lovers and film fans with a colorful display. Go to the dedicated page of the “Disney Fairies” Web site to view other titles.
Tink Tie-ins
Random House has published a line of colorfully illustrated offerings based around the film. Tinker Bell: A Read-Aloud Storybook retells the plot, describing Tink’s birth (from a baby’s first laugh and a sprinkling of fairy dust), her struggle to find her place in Pixie Hollow, and her discovery that each and every fairy has an important purpose. The text reads smoothly and the artwork, done in a photo-realistic style in jewel tones and a glossy finish, is delightful (PreS–Gr 4). With a controlled vocabulary and short sentences, A Fairy Tale provides a streamlined version of the story for beginning readers, adorned with several of the same images reproduced in flatter tones (Gr 1–3).
A Guide to Pixie Hollow introduces this magical locale and highlights the personalities, talents, and unique abilities of its resident fairies. Colorful artwork depicts the enchanting characters and settings (PreS–Gr 3).
Confident readers hungry for more details about Tink’s tale and the happenings in Never Land will enjoy Kimberly Morris’s Junior Novelization. Children will be drawn in by the cover—featuring a wide-eyed Tink with sparkly wings—and the vivid, descriptive language keeps the action moving quickly. Eight pages of small, full-color movie photos are included (Gr 3–6).
Pub Info
LEVINE, Gail Carson. Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg. illus. by David Christiana. Disney. 2005. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-7868-3491-4; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0819-1.
_____. Fairy Haven and the Quest for the Wand. illus. by David Christiana. Disney. 2007. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4231-0100-0.
THORPE, Kiki. Tinker Bell: Two Magical Tales: The Trouble with Tink and Tink, North of Never Land. illus. by Judith Holmes Clarke. Random. 2008. Tr $11.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2589-6.
MARSOLI, Lisa, adapt. Tinker Bell: A Read-Aloud Storybook. illus. by Jeff Clark et al. Random. 2008. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2529-2.
JORDAN, Apple. Tinker Bell: A Fairy Tale. illus. by the Disney Storybook Artists. Random. 2008. PLB $11.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-8055-0; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2475-2.
RISCO, Elle D., adapt. Tinker Bell: A Guide to Pixie Hollow. illus. by Studio Iboix & the Disney Storybook Artists. Random. 2008. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2368-7.
MORRIS, Kimberly, adapt. Tinker Bell: The Junior Novelization. Random. 2008. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2470-7.
