10+: Snow White and the Huntsman - Lily Blake, Evan Daugherty, John Lee Hancock, Hossein Amini

Release Date: 28/06/12  
BOOK BLURB:  
'Zoey, what is is?' Stark said softly. I didn't answer Stark. Instead I faced Neferet. Somewhere in the back of my mind I could hear the buzz and whispers of the kids around me, and I knew forcing a confrontation with Neferet here and now wasn't smart. But I couldn't stop myself...Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet - which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. But there are new forces at work at the House of Night. An influx of humans threatens their precarious stability. And then there's the mysterious Aurox, a jaw-droppingly gorgeous boy who is actually more - or possibly less - than human. Only Zoey can sense the compassion that wars with his Dark calling. Will Neferet's true nature be revealed before she succeeds in silencing them all? And will Zoey be able to touch Aurox's humanity in time to protect him - and everyone - from his own fate?  

REVIEW:  
When a book comes out associated with a film it can usually go one of two ways, either its way superior or as is most often the case, it fails miserably. Sadly this book falls into the later category for a number of reasons. Firstly the book feels rushed and doesn’t allow the reader to get to know the characters within and whilst I haven’t seen the film it also feels that there is a lot left unsaid in order to keep the tale a little too linear. The book suffers for this as for me it left the characters feeling more 2d than fully rounded relying more on the stereotypes that the readers have in their mind from the fairy tales of yesteryear. Add to this a convoluted winding path and a real rush to get to the end which overall left me feeling cheated by the final page. With luck, a viewing of the film may clear up a lot of these feelings but I really don’t think that this is one of the better conversions and perhaps should have been left alone.

 

8+: DreamWorks Puss in Boots: 3D Movie Guide - Tim Spotlight

Release Date: 10/11/11

BOOK BLURB:

Puss In Boots tells the swashbuckling tale of Puss's early days: his life in the orphanage, his friendship with Humpty Dumpty, how he meets the feisty feline Kitty (voiced by Salma Hayek), and their search for the Goose Who Laid the Golden Egg.

This purr-fect film 3D movie guide features 3-D images throughout plus a pair of 3-D glasses!





REVIEW:

I’m one of those people who whilst I love the ideas behind things as well as watching them come to life, cannot see 3d, it was the bane of my childhood and sadly it’s still the bane of my adult life as all I see is the image clearly through the coloured glasses. (That said, I’ve yet to try the new 3d experience at the cinema so it may have changed now.)

So this review is really based on what my nephews saw when I showed them this title. Not only were they delighted but they kept removing the glasses to see how it worked only to look puzzled. They looked from the left, they looked from the right and then they demanded that they be allowed to wear the glasses and wanted the book put on their walls so that they could enjoy the whole experience again. Its fun, it gives a great sense of wonder and for that alone, it’s well worth the price. Add to this of course that you get the DreamWorks magic thrown in and it’s a great product all round. Now my nephews are demanding to see the film and my name is mud in their parent’s houses.

8+: DreamWorks Puss in Boots Colouring and Activity Book

Release Date: 10/11/11

BOOK BLURB:

Get ready for the swashbuckling tale of Puss's early days: his life in the orphanage, his friendship with Humpty Dumpty, how he meets the feisty feline Kitty and their search for the Goose Who Laid the Golden Egg.


REVIEW:

OK, so you want something to distract your children or your nephews and nieces at Christmas but not sure what will do the job? Christmas coming on a little too fast? Is their noise and excitement getting to you? Well in that case you need an activity book to keep them occupied and what better way to do that than give them this one based on the Puss in Boots film that the odds are you’ve already taken them to see (or bribed someone else to do it for you. LOL)

It has a lot of puzzles, a lot of distractions and of course will allow the recipient the chance to think their way through things as well as have lot of fun with all those new coloured felt tips that someone bought them for Christmas.) All in a very nice book with enough to give you more than a few hours of peace and quiet at the most hectic time of the year. Magical.

5+: DreamWorks Puss in Boots: The Cat, The Boots, The Legend - Tina Gallo, Ill. Ovi Nediecu

span style="font-size:130%;">Release Date: 10/11/11

BOOK BLURB:

Way before Puss ever met Shrek, our suave and furry feline hero goes on a swashbuckling ride, as he teams with mastermind Humpty Dumpty and the street-savvy Kitty to steal the famed Goose that lays the Golden Eggs.

Young readers will love joining Puss on his swashbucking adventures, with this fully illustrated colour storybook of the film.


REVIEW:

The picture book of the script for younger readers and one that is fun although to be honest my main gripe is that the artwork isn’t directly from the film, it seems a little silly that they didn’t use stills to help bring the story over, but then again I do wonder if this might have been the case because if they had, perhaps the overall experience would be lost on the young reader with so much detail to take in.

It’s fun, it has all the elements to entertain and of the two story books I prefer the novel (which I read to my nephews to gage reaction) the younger reader will get a lot of fun from this as their attention span can often wonder.

8+: DreamWorks Puss in Boots: The Novel - Lara Bergen

Release Date: 10/11/11

BOOK BLURB:

Way before Puss ever met Shrek, our suave and furry feline hero goes on a swashbuckling ride, as he teams with mastermind Humpty Dumpty and the street-savvy Kitty to steal the famed Goose that lays the Golden Eggs.

Join in Puss on his swashbuckling adventure, in this purr-fect novel for young readers. Based on the film, it includes 8 pages of colour photos to help you re-live the fun!




REVIEW:

When you’re talking about a film to book translation, it’s often a fine line between giving the reader the experience that they want and getting the story over. Lara has done this not only extremely well but allowed the magic and fun of the Shrek Universe to creep through in the adaptation.

It has all the hallmarks that I look for as an adult, a fun script, cracking characters (in some cases more than others, yes I mean you Humpty), and a plot that moves at a steady pace to allow the whole experience to be enjoyed time and again by those who love a good story as well as a good film. Add to this a wonderful sense of pace alongside prose which makes this title a great adaptation and will allow the owner to have a lot of fun in the world of books. I really can’t wait to see it now.

12+: Harry Potter Film Wizardry

Release Date: 11/11/10

BOOK BLURB:

Immerse yourself in the world of the spectacular Harry Potter film series, and learn why Yule Ball ice sculptures never melt, where Galleons, Sickles and Knuts are really minted , how to get a Hippogriff to work with actors, about the inspiration behind Hogwarts castle, and why Dementors move the way they do. Written and designed in collaboration with the cast and crew that brought J.K Rowling's celebrated novels to the silver screen, Harry Potter: Film Wizardry delivers an enchanting interactive experience, transporting readers to the wizarding world by sharing filmmaking secrets, unpublished photography and artwork, and exclusive stories from the stars. Full of removable, facsimile reproductions of props and paper ephemera from the movies, this collectible volume offers a privileged look at the Harry Potter films and the talented group of Muggles that has made true movie magic.


REVIEW:

With the written series having completed a good few years ago, the films are fast coming to the climax with the soon to be released first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What Transworld have done is take some of the movie magic, added their own blend of wizardry alongside the film’s innovators and created this magical offering.

Contained within this title is a whole set of facts, some great pullout/accessories alongside some almost magical film memorabilia like the Quidditch World Cup programme, the education decree as well as catalogues from places such as Borgin and Burkes Auctioneers and the Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes. Add to this Harry’s Hogwarts invite and you know that it’s going to be a title that will delight fans both young and old. Great stuff.