Anakin's Adventures To Color

I really like these coloring books -- not so much because the art is stupendous -- it's not (though it's not bad). No, I like them because they are 80 pages each on quality white paper, not the typical newsprint you usually get in a coloring book. I think you could probably use watercolor on these pages if you didn't mind a little buckling. There is a wealth of detail here, enough to keep the little ones busy for quite a while. A personal dislike is pictures that bleed to the edges of the page or span the gutter across two pages, but I doubt the kids will care. At only $2.99, these books are a bargain.

Galactic Games and Puzzles

Darth Maul looks almost . . . nice on the cover. (I'm sure it's a Sith trick, though.) If your kid likes mazes, word finds, crosswords, coloring, etc. this is the book! It has the same quality as the coloring books above.

Micro-Vehicle Punch-Outs

I didn't have the heart to actually punch out the ships to see how well this kit works, so all I can tell you is that it looks well made. You get six punch-out "tab A into slot B" full-color ships: Naboo Starfighter, Sith Infiltrator, Trade Federation Starfighter, Gungan Sub (Bongo), Queen Amidala's Royal Starship, and a Flash Speeder. These would probably look cool hanging from the ceiling.

Queen Amidala Paper Doll Book

What can a beautiful teenage queen do without at least seven sumptuous gowns -- some for travelling, some for arguing, and some for standing your ground with corrupt politicians -- plus one elegant velvet tunic in which to do battle with a billion droids? The budding fashion designer in your house will delight in this gorgeous book with a heavy cardstock background of the Naboo Palace throne room in full color.

Jar Jar's Mistake (Step into Reading Step 1 Book)
written by Nancy Krulik, illustrated by Richard Walz

This is a 48-page paperback book for Pre-K through Grade 1 readers. It rehashes a humorous slapstick scene from the movie with cartoonish illustrations and simple words. If your beginning reader can't get enough of Jar Jar (and mine can't), this is a good book to have when Cat in the Hat wears out its welcome. The stickers on the first page are fun, too, with a big one of Jar Jar that says, "Be Less Afraid."

These Step Into Reading books are great because they have a page in front addressed to parents on how to get the most out of the book. I also liked how each one has colorful stickers, and full-color illustrations on each page.

Anakin to the Rescue (Step into Reading Step 2 Book)
written by Cecilia Venn, illustrated by Chris Trevas

This is a 48-page paperback book for grades 1-3. The first page features little color stickers of this and other books in the series as well as a big one of Qui-Gon Jinn with the slogan "Always Help Others." The story follows Anakin as he blatantly disobeys Qui-Gon and gets lost on Coruscant while trying to assist another little boy. Jar Jar goes along to help and of course gets in trouble, but Anakin's mechanical genius saves the day. This is a lovely book, well written and entertaining. I especially liked how it gives us a story we don't see in the movie. At this price, buy one for every Padawan Learner you know.

These Step Into Reading books are great because they have a page in front addressed to parents on how to get the most out of the book. I also liked how each one has colorful stickers, and full-color illustrations on each page.

Dangers of the Core (Step into Reading Step 3 Book)
written by Jim Thomas, illustrated by Boris Vallejo

In this 48-page paperback for Grades 2-3, the interior illustrations don't quite live up to the beautiful cover art, but they're still very good. The sticker of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the front of this book says, "Value All Life Forms." (That's difficult when you're about to be eaten by an Opie Sea Killer.) This story is really the story of how Jar Jar saves the day, but all the incidents are taken straight from the movie.

These Step Into Reading books are great because they have a page in front addressed to parents on how to get the most out of the book. I also liked how each one has colorful stickers, and full-color illustrations on each page.

Anakin's Fate (Step into Reading Step 4 Book)
written by Marc Cerasini, illustrated by John Alvin

For Grades 2-4, this 48-page paperback storybook begins well before the events of The Phantom Menace and tells us how Anakin's savvy trading with the Jawas enables him to build his own pod racer. The last part mirrors the first two chapters of Terry Brooks' adult novelization, which also do not appear in the film. I always like it when we get a new story as opposed to a warmed-over, often contradictory version of a scene from the movie. The artwork seems muted compared to some of the others, but it is still very good. The sticker in the front of Anakin Skywalker tells us, "Trust Your Dreams."

These Step Into Reading books are great because they have a page in front addressed to parents on how to get the most out of the book. I also liked how each one has colorful stickers, and full-color illustrations on each page.

"The Ultimate Insider's Guide to the Movie" is certainly that! Even grownups will want a copy of this colorful 64-page scrapbook crammed full of heretofore undisclosed detail about how the Star Wars universe works. In the front are eight "data cards" with info about the major characters. Then we have chapters on "The Jedi", "The Sith", "The Trade Federation", "The Naboo", "The Gungans", "Tatooine", "Droids", "Coruscant", "The Cast", and "Behind the Scenes", each with loads of color photos, many of which I had seen nowhere else.

Aimed at Preschool-Kindergarten, the 16 full-color, reusable wipe-and-write pages contain loads of fun exercises for the kiddies to do again and again. Characters from Episode I as well as Chewbacca help make the work fun. This book offers practice in counting as well as recognizing and writing numerals.

Aimed at Preschool-Kindergarten, the 16 full-color, reusable wipe-and-write pages take the kiddies through the alphabet with "A is for Anakin, B is for Bantha, C is for C-3PO . . ." This book provides practice in recognizing and writing upper and lower case letters.

Aimed at Kindergartners, the 16 full-color pages and 90 reusable stickers inside will put kids well on their way to learning phonics -- with a little help from a friendly adult.

Aimed at First Graders, the 16 full-color pages and 90 reusable stickers inside teach basic math with scenes from the pod race. Lots of fun! I wish these learning books had been around when I was a kid.

For the cost of a book you also get a nifty marker pen that looks nominally like a lightsaber in either red, green or blue. You also get, on the back, a cut-out "Honorary Jedi Knight Certificate." My only criticism is that the 28 pages of activities inside won't occupy a little Jedi long!

Sixty-four pages chock full of color photos tell the story of The Phantom Menace in this slick, beautiful storybook similar to the ones that came out with the earlier movies. Although there's very little we haven't seen before, adults as well as kids will enjoy looking at this one.

Star Wars Episode 1 : Great Big Flap Book
illustrated by Greg and Tim Hildebrandt

This large, 10-page board book contains spoiler-filled character studies as well as many plot points and surprises beneaths its flaps. The artwork is colorful and vibrant, and on the back is a Naboo Starfighter you can punch out and put together. To me, this seems to fit more into the Preschool category. Overall this one, while nice to look at, is not worth $13. You can get six starships in the Micro-Vehicle punch-out book listed above for less than a third of the price.

Book Report Biographies are slender paperbacks for young readers focusing on fascinating people who have changed their own cultures and the world. This 112-page biography of George Lucas manages to cover most everything of interest. There's nothing new here, but it's arranged well and is easy to read. The many black-and-white photographs scattered throughout are a bonus. Included is a chronology chart, a glossary, and an excellent index. This book seems ideal for its purpose -- a resource for book reports.

With 178 pages of text and a slick 16-page color photo section, in many ways this junior novelization delivers more than the adult Terry Brooks novel. For one thing, the writing is better than a lot of grown-up novels I've seen -- not dumbed down for kids at all. For another thing, we really get inside the characters' heads, seeing the action from many different viewpoints and gaining insights the film cannot give us. Here's a short example from Qui-Gon's point of view:

"Rising, Qui-Gon motioned to Obi-Wan. The younger Jedi's face was stern, as befitted an important mission, and Qui-Gon sighed. Not for the first time, he wondered what Master Yoda had been thinking all those years ago, when he brought Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Kenobi together as Master and Padawan apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi had great skill, no question of that, but sometimes he was so . . . intense."

There are two versions of this book. Actually, two versions of packaging. You can buy just the book itself, or shrink-wrapped with a foil cover (as pictured) and a free collectible print included for $9.95.

Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars Journals #1)
by Todd Strasser   European Visitors

Nine-year-old Anakin Skywalker sets down everything that happened to him since he met the Jedi in this 112-page journal. Though the story is told adequately, I didn't find much new here. The voice of the book lacked individuality, relating events rather than insights. There is no hint here of how this adorable moppet could have become Darth Vader. In contrast to earlier Journals from the classic trilogy, every page of these journals is printed in sumptuous four-color illustrations with many photographs throughout. This might be a good choice for a kid who can't get enough of Star Wars books, but there are better choices out there.

Queen Amidala (Star Wars Journals #2)
by Judy Blundell   European Visitors

"I am Amidala, Queen of Naboo. I am fourteen years old. I did not get to be Queen by being intimidated." Thus begins the 112-page journal that Queen Amidala keeps because she can reveal her doubts and weaknesses nowhere else. I found the text to be interesting, although a bit stilted at times. I enjoyed finding out little tidbits of trivia such as that the red mark on her lips is called a "scar of remembrance." In contrast to earlier Journals from the classic trilogy, every page of these journals is printed in sumptuous four-color illustrations with many photographs throughout. I found this one much more enjoyable than the Anakin journal.

Jedi Apprentice #1: The Rising Force

I cannot praise this series enough. You'll notice I gave it six "artoo units" -- that's because I think adults as well as kids will enjoy reading these. Granted, the storyline and situations aren't too complex (and the writing is awkward at times), but the books give us a fascinating insight into the training process of Jedi Knights. The point of view switches often between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi; these books are really about BOTH knights and the things they teach each other on their journey. In this 171-page story, young Obi-Wan has only four weeks until his 13th birthday when he will be kicked out of the temple. After he blows his chance to impress Qui-Gon Jinn, he's shipped off to Bandomeer to join the Agriculture Corps. Fate -- or the Force -- puts Qui-Gon on the same ship, and when they are attacked by pirates, Obi-Wan gets another chance. Together the Jedi battle evil Hutts, ravenous beasts, and their own weaknesses to forge a bond. The action is fast paced, and the Jedi kick . . . Hutt! I really liked how this book began right in the middle of a lightsaber duel.

Jedi Apprentice #2: The Dark Rival

I actually read this one first, and it did such a good job clueing me in on the action from #1 I never felt lost. On Bandomeer, Qui-Gon Jinn's failed apprentice, Xanatos, re-emerges to take revenge on his old master, and he doesn't care if he destroys a whole planet in the process. We find out much more about Qui-Gon than we do Obi-Wan, but as the young Jedi proves his courage it gives the Master the strength to finally let go of the past. While I enjoyed this one very much, it started slow in contrast to #1, and it was shorter -- 144 pages. But the interaction between the two Jedi is astounding, and Watson manages to capture the inconstancy and confusion of being a 13-year-old boy quite well. Obi-wan's voice even cracks at a dramatic moment!

Episode I (Mighty Chronicles)

I frankly don't understand paying ten bucks for a little hardback book with ugly two-color line drawings on every other page. If you want the story, buy the junior novelization. If you want pictures, get the storybook. Either one is cheaper and better. There are a pile of the Episode IV-VI Mighty Chronicles books on sale at the discount bookstores in my area for $3-$4, so if you really want this one, don't pay full price.

Episode I What's What

Some of these tiny hardback books (about 3x3 inches) are fun (TIE Fighter), others are a waste (Star Wars Collectibles). These fall in the middle. While they do a good job of covering most of the people, creatures, vehicles, droids, etc. in the movie, this information can be found elsewhere in greater detail. It comes down to whether or not you succumb to temptation and buy them because they're "cute."

Episode I Ultimate Sticker Book

The eight pages of reusable stickers in these books are pretty, but I really like the text, which explains a little about the various settings and other details. Although I enjoyed these, I can't imagine a kid getting seven bucks worth of thrill out of them.

Set just after ANH, these books follow Artoo and Threepio as they try to carry out a "babysitting" mission for Princess Leia, escorting a planetary governor and his 12-year-old son Stuart to a new assignment in a hostile system. Things go awry, and the droids, along with an adventurous science droid called Forbee-X, must use all their knowledge of physics and other sciences to get themselves out of a series of jams.

The stories very smoothly integrate such topics as Newton's laws of motion, centrifugal force, gravity, friction, orbit, weather, seasons, aerodynamics, and bird migration into a surprisingly entertaining tale. Excellent line drawings clearly illustrate the concepts. I only wish I'd had these books when I was in high school.

In fact, my only complaint (other than a printing error that replaced pages 45-46 with 55-56 in book #1) is that the books may be a bit too difficult for the elementary school tyke. The vocabulary is challenging, though not forbiddingly so, but as I recall I didn't learn some of these physics concepts until 11th grade. Just make sure an adult is handy to help out if needed.

A great feature of the books is the inclusion of simple experiments to demonstrate some of the scientific principles -- a spinning umbrella and an action figure for centrifugal force, for instance.

The books don't really stand alone -- they both end with a cliffhanger, with the implication that #3 is in the works. I'm looking forward to it.