Watch and Read: It's Time to Meet the Muppets
RSSBy Joy Fleishhacker
The irresistible—and irrepressible—stars of The Muppet Show, the vaudeville-style spectacular that graced television airwaves between 1976 and 1981 (and in syndication long after), as well as numerous motion pictures, make their dazzling return to the big screen. Barreling into theaters just in time for Thanksgiving (November 23), The Muppets (PG) features the characters' trademark repertoire of entertaining off-the-wall Unique among the residents of Smalltown, USA, for his googly eyes, fuzzy hair, and short stature, Walter (a new character to the franchise) is the biggest Muppet fan ever and dreams of someday meeting his heroes (with whom he shares an inexplicable affinity). While on vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, his equally Muppet-loving brother Gary (Segel), and Gary's girlfriend Mary (Amy Adams) make a pilgrimage to the now disappointingly dilapidated Muppet Studios. Walter overhears a conversation and discovers that oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) is plotting to level the theater in order to drill for oil beneath it. It will take $10 million to save the historic building, and Walter and his friends are determined to help Kermit the Frog reunite the Muppets for a money-raising telethon. However, the troupe disbanded long ago and the former costars have been scattered far and wide: Fozzie is now the front bear for a shady tribute band performing in a Reno casino; Miss Piggy is the plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris; Animal is in an anger management program; and Gonzo is a plumbing magnate. Even if Kermit can get everyone working together again, do the Muppets still have what it takes to wow an audience...and save the day? Kids can visit the official website for plenty of Muppets fun. A "Characters" option introduces each of the major players with a brief video greeting, lightheartedly written celeb bios and commentary (Gonzo points out, "...show business and plumbing have a lot in common—especially when it comes to clogs and snakes"), downloads, and a related online game. Film fans interested in delving into a bit of Muppet history can check out the "Muppet Wiki" for a look at their creator, Jim Henson; detailed entries about the characters describing their design and origins, personalities, early lives, appearances, and evolution through the years (all generously illustrated with full-color photos); an episode guide, and more. Book Tie-ins Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has published several titles based on the movie's screenplay. Brightly hued images of the Muppet characters adorn the covers of two entries in the "Passport to Reading" series (both Level 3). Meet the Muppets focuses on Watler's viewpoint, as he travels to Hollywood with his friends, stumbles upon the nefarious plot, helps Kermit track everyone down, and works hard to put the show together, ultimately discovering that he too has a talent to share as well as place to fit in. I Am Kermit the Frog (both 2011; PreS-Gr 2) provides a bit of background, tracing the musically inclined reptile's journey from swamp to stardom, revealing how he met his cohorts en route to Hollywood, summing up their glory days, and ending with a brief recap of the movie's storyline. Kermit's affection for his friends (particularly Miss Piggy) shines through, along with his dedication to making people happy ("Yaaaaay!!!'). Both narratives incorporate straightforward vocabulary, brief sentences, and an appealingly enthusiastic tone. T The Movie Junior Novel (2011; Gr 2-6) begins with Walter awakening from a reoccurring dream: he tries to crawl through the TV screen to join his heroes on The Muppet Show—to no avail. Soon after, he and his friends head for L.A., and their ensuing adventures are described through an upbeat, clearly written narrative. Sprinkled throughout with dialogue and one-liners, the lively text provides just enough detail and character motivation to anchor the fast-paced antics. The author strikes the perfect balance of tongue-in-cheek tone and heartwarming emotion, particularly in the depiction of the starry-eyed Walter, who (amusingly oblivious to his Muppet-like appearance) starts off feeling "a little out of place" and eventually discovers a place to belong. An invitingly open layout, accessible vocabulary, and suspenseful chapter crescendos will encourage newly confident readers and keep them turning pages. Black-and-white images of Piggy in a gown, a kindly Kermit, and other Muppets adorn the first few pages, and stylized silhouettes of the characters in comical poses launch each chapter. An eye-grabbing movie image adorns the cover, and eight pages of captioned full-color photos recounting plot highlights are also included. Publication Information SANTOS, Ray, adapt. The Muppets: Meet the Muppets. illus. by Kory Heinzen. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18298-0. _____. The Muppets: I Am Kermit the Frog. illus. by Stephan Britt & Steve James. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18297-3. TURNER, Katharine, adapt. The Muppets: The Movie Junior Novel. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18303-1. SCROGGS, Kirk. Tales of a Sixth-Grade Muppet. illus. by author. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18302-4. The Muppets: Frogs Are Funny!: The Most Sensational, Inspirational, Celebrational, Muppetational Muppets Joke Book Ever! with Brandon T. Snider. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-316-18311-6. ea vol: Little, Brown. 2011. 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November 8, 2011
antics, silly yet sophisticated humor, and cameo appearances by an array of human celebrities (along with plenty of comically timed explosions). Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, the movie is written by Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller, directed by James Babon, and features a soundtrack that combines new musical numbers with classic Muppet tunes (including "The Rainbow Connection" and "Mahna Mahna").
In addition to theatrical previews, the "Video Clips" segment is chock-full of amusing selections including several trailers parodying recent and upcoming motion picture releases ("The Pig with the Froggy Tattoo"), numerous shorts starring the Muppets (Beaker's rousing rendition of "Ode to Joy"), and a video of the theme song performed by rock band OK Go. Online game choices include creating couture for "Miss Piggy's Fashion Domination," playing drums for "Animal's Beat Craze," and seek-and-finding objects for "Kermit's Look a Pond."
he texts are accompanied by handsome artwork that provides vivid depictions of the characters and the action along with helpful visual clues. Though filled with detail, the illustrations are presented in neat layouts that will help new readers to keep focused on the words. Each book begins with items to find within the story (e.g., the word "tuxedo" along with an illustration), adding a seek-and-find challenge while painlessly introducing vocabulary. These charming offerings also make inviting choices for sharing aloud with younger children.
With Muppets episodes and movies available on DVD and for viewing online, as well as a recent spate of viral videos winning over YouTube watchers (visit "The Muppet Cast" site for a sampling that includes hilarious renditions of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Stand by Me"), these characters are as popular as ever. Kirk Scroggs, author of the "Wiley and Grampa" titles, has launched a book series that honors the Muppet opus while also reaching out to a new audience of readers. Tales of a Sixth-Grade Muppet (Gr 3-6; both Little, Brown) combines a humorous first-person narrative with a plethora of pen-and-ink cartoons, comic-strip-style snippets, and artwork/school reports "created" by the protagonist. Sixth-grader Danvers Blickensderfer is not shy about the fact that he is "a Gonzo fanatic" and plans a no-holds-barred tribute to this daredevil Muppet as his audition number for a local talent show. Imagine his disappointment when he is beaten out by middle school boy band, Emo Shun. However, that night something amazing happens: the youngster is magically transformed into a Muppet (complete with a squishy-ball nose and huge flip-top mouth), a fact that he tries to keep secret at first, but eventually begins to revel in. Winning an after-school internship at the Muppet Theater, Danvers soon finds himself rubbing elbows with his heroes and, taken under Gonzo's wing, even rocketing toward fame as lead vocalist for a Muppet boy band named Mon Swoon. Throughout the dynamically illustrated pages, zany adventures unfold at lightning speed, groan-out-load puns and gross-out jokes fly furiously, and the action builds to a satisfying climax. Scroggs's droll humor, insights into the school milieu, and cleverly contemporary take on the familiar characters is right on target for his audience. Danvers's adventures continue in Tales of a Sixth Grade Muppet: Clash of the Class Clowns, scheduled for release in May 2012.
Speaking of groaners, The Muppets: Frogs Are Funny! (Little, Brown; Gr 3 Up), an elegantly designed hardcover volume, showcases classic Muppet jokes and gags culled from both TV episodes and movies (sources are identified in an index). The puns are presented in large-size print against colorful backgrounds and accompanied throughout with attractively arranged photos and illustrations of the characters. Brief zingers (Fozzie quips, "You should never eat the comedian! They taste funny!") are interspersed with longer jokes, snarky commentary from hecklers extraordinaire Statler and Waldorf, and bits from on-going skits (e.g., "Veterinarian's Hospital"). This fun-to-browse volume will please Muppets fans both old and new.
Reader Comments (2)
Posted by sarah monoo on November 8, 2011 04:55:12PM
