Watch and Read: A Galaxy Far, Far Away...and Now in 3D
RSSBy Joy Fleishhacker
Fans are gearing up for the theatrical re-release of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (PG) on February 10, and the opportunity to experience the movie's high-speed Podracer match, light saber-swinging duels, and epic-scale battles in vivid 3D. Written and directed by George Lucas, The Phantom Menace was originally released in 1999, and though it was the fourth After years of peace, the Galactic Republic is threatened by political unrest, and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are sent to try and resolve a trade dispute. Discovering that the peaceful world of Naboo will soon be invaded by Trade Federation warships, the two Jedi Knights rescue the young Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman) but soon find themselves stranded on the desert planet Tatooine. Here, they discover nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a slave boy who is extraordinarily strong in the Force. Winning his freedom along with victory in a nail-biting Podrace, Anakin leaves with the others to be trained as a Jedi. They soon return to Naboo, where Anakin and the Queen must stand strong against an army of droid invaders and Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon engage in battle with Darth Maul (Ray Park), a deadly warrior whose presence indicates the reemergence of the Sith, ancient dark-side-embracing enemies of the Jedi. Kids can visit the dedicated page at the "Star Wars" website to watch a trailer or try their own hand at a Podracing game (with more features to be added in the coming weeks). While at the site, yo Book Tie-ins Spiff up your Star Wars collection with a selection of new titles sure to appeal to newcomers to the saga as well as the legions of longtime fans. Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D (Scholastic, 2012; Gr 2-6) provides a lively and well-written recounting of the tale illustrated with movie photos presented-appropriately-in 3D (a pair of punch-out glasses are included). The myriad plot elements are imparted concisely and clearly, well-chosen bits of dialogue are smoothly integrated into the telling, and the action scenes are described with relish ("With a flash of their blades, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan turn the droids into scattered fragments!"). Text paragraphs are boxed and paired with film photos, giving the layout the look of a graphic novel. Filled with laser blasts, hovering aircraft, and even the floating-in-air frog just nabbed by amphibious character Jar Jar Binks's long tongue, the 3D images are effective and add to the excitement and pacing of the storytelling. Illustrated throughout with movie photos, two other offerings also feature helpful subtitled sections, as well as added information presented in boxes and in the margins, glossaries of vocabulary words and Star Wars terms, and comprehensive indexes. A Level 3 Reader introduces the major plot elements before describing the climactic Battle for Naboo (Gr 1-4). Photos of the characters are interspersed with action scenes, all set against a clean layout that allows readers to Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Expanded Visual Dictionary (DK, 2012; Gr 3 Up) updates a 1999 version by drawing upon the lore that has been developed in the years since and includes "new art, stills, and cutaway views never seen before." Handsome spreads blend lively text and copious visual images to introduce and delve into the movie's characters, locations, technologies, political groups, species, events, and more, providing an excellent overview of this deftly imagined universe. Each illustration is explained by a descriptive caption, with boxed diagram entries identifying objects and pointing out specific characteristics. The amazing visuals include a schematic naming the many parts of a "skinless" C-3PO, a cool cross section revealing the inner workings of Darth Maul's light saber, and labeled close-ups of "Droidekas" (rolling battle droids) in both "Combat Stance" and "Wheel Form." In addition to exploring the major plot elements, readers can learn about the personalities and responsibilities of Queen Amidala's handmaidens, or investigate the materials and symbolism sewn into her elaborate court costumes (e.g., the petaled cape worn at the victory parade evokes flowers from her home village that "bloom only once every 88 years, heralding a time of celebration"). The level of detail is truly astounding, and the lively tone of the writing, as well as the acc Graphic Novels Dark Horse has reissued a rousing graphic novel adaptation of the movie originally published in 1999. Combining a concise script with crisp artwork in luscious jewel tones, Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace (2011; Gr 4-9) retells the tale with a scintillating combo of vividly depicted action, political intrigue, and emotional drama. The essence of each character is powerfully conveyed through dialogue balloons and the detailed artwork. Adorned with a colorful movie-poster style cover, the digest-size paperback is easy to finger through or tuck into a backpack. This adaptation is sure to be a hot item, and if you're looking for a copy that will have real staying power, consider the version published by Spotlight (2009) in a long-lasting, library-bound hardcover edition. The story is presented in four volumes, each with a spectacular reader-grabbing cover, quick recap of the plot, and appended pages of comic-book artwork and movie photos. The larger size (7" x 10.5") provides a clear look at the illustrations, and the glossy pages allow the colors to truly shine. Explore the Dark Side Publication Information HIDALGO, Pablo. Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3D. Scholastic. 2012. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38986-0. DOLAN, Hannah. LEGO Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. DK. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-8692-5; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-8693-2. STOCK, Lisa. Star Wars: Battle for Naboo. DK. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-9007-6; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-9008-3. CASEY, Jo & Catherine Saunders. Star Wars: Darth Maul Sith Apprentice. DK. 2012. Tr $14.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-8865-3; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-8866-0. REYNOLDS, David West & Jason Fry. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Expanded Visual Dictionary. DK. 2012. Tr $19.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-8995-7. GILROY, Henry. Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Dark Horse, dist. by Diamond Book Distributors. 2011. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-1-59582-841-5. GILROY, Henry. Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Volume 1. ISBN 978-1-59961-608-7. Volume 2. ISBN 978-1-59961-609-4 Volume 3. ISBN 978-1-59961-610-0 Volume 4. ISBN 978-1-59961-611-7 ea vol.: Spotlight. 2009. PLB $15.95. WINDHAM, Ryder. Star Wars: The Wrath of Darth Maul. Scholastic. 2012. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-38327-1. LAST, Shari. Star Wars: Beware the Sith. DK. 2012.Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-9014-4. WALLACE, Daniel. Star Wars: Darth Vader: A 3-D Reconstruction Log. illus. by Chris Trevas & Chris Reiff. Scholastic. 2011. BD $19.99. ISBN 978-0-545-31215-8. This article originally appeared in the newsletter Extra Helping. Go here to subscribe.
January 17, 2012
Star Wars film to be produced, it is the first installment in the plot chronology, providing a great starting point for youngsters new to the movie saga.
ungsters can also investigate a galaxy-spanning array of Star Wars franchise info and features. There are videos to watch, online games to play, activities to replicate (everything from a Yoda stick puppet to "Wookiee Cookies"), and social networks and fan sites to link to. Of particular interest is the "Encyclopedia," which allows users to research this densely detailed universe by broad subjects: characters, locations, technology, and groups ("Orders, Sects, Armies, and Species"). Clear and informative descriptions are enhanced by "Stats" sections that give quick facts and references to where each person, place, or thing appears and links to related entries. Easy to use, fun to explore, and filled with full-color photos and images, this feature will help browsers brush up on their basics.
DK has published a selection of easy readers designed for a variety of skill levels and all with colorful covers guaranteed to grab the eye of Padawan learners. LEGO Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (DK, 2012; K-Gr 3), a Level 2 Reader, is illustrated throughout with full-color photos featuring amazingly detailed and accurate LEGO versions of the characters, aircraft, and weaponry, set in scenes that hum with energy. Consisting of straightforward language and brief sentences, the text is divided into sub-titled sections, helping beginning readers identify important plot elements and follow the action. The narrative invites interaction with simple questions and observations and works hand in hand with the artwork to encourage comprehension. Information boxes provide more detail and the book ends with an index and a picture glossary.
focus on the large-size text. Utilizing longer sentences, more challenging vocabulary, and quite a bit of detail, Darth Maul Sith Apprentice (Gr 2-5; both DK, 2012), a Level 4 Reader, focuses on this "deadly, strong, ferocious" warrior and the workings of his sinister Order, while also incorporating the movie's story line. There's a satisfying amount of info here, as the book covers everything from the Sith's "Rule of Two" (limiting their numbers so that these experts at evil don't destroy themselves) to Maul's high-tech gadgetry. Larger photos convey the scope of the action, while smaller insets (and captions) and labeled close-up images support the level of detail. Both well-written volumes provide an appealing balance of clear explanation and vivid storytelling.
essible and appealing layout, will keep kids browsing for hours.
In The Wrath of Darth Maul (Scholastic, 2012; Gr 4-8), Ryder Windham presents a gripping biography of this mysterious assassin from his early days of isolation and training on the volcanic world of Mustafar to time spent honing his fighting skills at the elite Orsis Academy to his climactic confrontation with Obi-Wan on Naboo. Subjected to many years of harsh instruction by Sith Lord Darth Sidious, who relentlessly manipulates, taunts, and torments him both emotionally and physically, Maul is fine-tuned into the ultimate warrior, his abilities matched only by his loyalty to his master, and his passion for killing fueled by hatred and the dark side of the Force. Windham provides plenty of adventure and action as Maul wields his trademark double-sided light saber to lethal effect, while also offering a compelling character study and providing plot elements that flesh out Maul's place in the broader Star Wars universe.
Beware the Sith (2012; Gr 3-8), a visual guide from DK, combines an abundance of movie images and artwork with lively caption-style text to introduce the ins and outs of this shrouded-in-secrecy sect and their ancient conflict with the Jedi. Colorfully illustrated spreads cover Sith powers and philosophies, famous warriors, weapons and technology, allies and enemies, and more. Some chapters provide a step-by-step look at the inner workings of Sith strategies (e.g., Darth Sidious's Clone Wars battle plan) or explore particular confrontations ("Who Will Triumph When a Sith Duels His Son?"). Written with a light touch, the text provides a good deal of information that spans the entire movie saga. Diagrams, cross sections, cutaways, and labeled portraits of the characters accompany action-packed film photos. Frequent questions ("Are your Force powers exceptional?") and interactive flow charts make readers feel as though they are part of the action.
Darth Vader: A 3-D Reconstruction Log (Scholastic, 2011; Gr 3-8) provides access to the inner workings of perhaps the ultimate Sith Lord, describing the "transformation of Anakin Skywalker—a mere human—into an efficient cyborg lieutenant of the Emperor himself" and presenting "...a story of medical skill, scientific ingenuity, and brutal reality." Written like a report (salvaged from the memory logs of surgical droids), the text introduces the technology of each biological and mechanical system, from vocoder to respiratory controls to prosthetic limbs. A layered cardboard figure of Vader appears on the right hand side of each spread, and with each turn of the page, readers strip away another tier to reveal more and more details, from full armor down to his skeleton (the layers reassemble on the left-hand side to provide a rear view). Close-ups and cross sections of particular body parts and systems are also provided throughout the colorfully illustrated spreads. No matter which side of the Force they prefer, kids will not be able to resist picking up and browsing through this mesmerizing book.
