Apple Jordan

My favorite Pooh movies are the ones that actually adapt sections of A. A. Milne's original book, but this one is actually pretty darn good despite being a mostly original work. It has a nice lesson about prejudice, xenophobia, and preconceptions, and Lumpy (a/k/a Heffridge Trumpler Brompet Heffalump IV) is a delightful addition to the canon. Pooh's barely in it, since it is really a Roo movie, but when he does show up he's adorable in his little aviator's cap. The film is a good follow-up show more to the terrific Piglet's Big Movie, with the same screenwriter and more catchy songs by Carly Simon.

This third adaptation I own is by Apple Jordan and the Disney Storybook Artists. It's a Step Into Reading book so it has been drastically simplified, but incredibly it still manages to tell the whole movie quite effectively in less than 30 sentences by honing in on the "just like me" theme.

As always, it's funny to see the publisher keep reusing the same illustrations that can be seen in all the other Pooh's Heffalump Movie adaptations I'm reading this week. They must have had a studio of artists churning out these images on spec and then bundling them up for the writers and/or editors to pick and choose which ones best inspired or fit the text of their adaptation. Is this like an attraction at Disney World? Watch the artists in a fishbowl drawing Pooh picture after Pooh picture?

FOR REFERENCE:

Pooh's Heffalump Movie was directed by Frank Nissen from a screenplay by Brian Hohlfeld and Evan Spiliotopoulos, based on the characters created by by A. A. Milne. show less

This is a very easy book, quick to read. It basically summarizes the story of the movie Ratatouille, albeit not very smoothly in parts. Granted this is a shortened, easy reader version, but I do think a couple edits would've helped it be much smoother. Cute illustrations and a good story in general because I do like the movie itself. I enjoy examining the language and approaches to teaching reading or encouraging it among youth, and also seeing how publishers and authors choose to adapt show more various films and stories according to different reading levels. show less

A generic survey of a thirteen dog breeds. There's a heavy emphasis on qualifying for dog shows, and I don't like the frequent mention of breed standards and disqualification faults. Dogs should be fun, not oppressed by some persnickety person's ruler.

Bolt My Hero
By Disney (2008)

I liked Bolt My Hero by Disney for three reasons. First, I liked the book because it resembles the film, Bolt. Ironically, I saw the movie with two children I nanny, and it was fantastic. The book has few words, but still manages to hit all the main points of the movie. Second, I liked the photos in the book. The photos are rich, full of color, and fill each page to their entirety. Also, the photos look like specific scenes from the movie, which capture the show more reader’s attention—especially if they have seen the film because then readers are able to make connections between the two forms, book and movie. Lastly, I liked the fun, loving relationship between the young girl, and her dog. The relationship is powerful and reminds readers to value the love and compassion pets feel for their owners. Overall, the “big idea” of Bolt My Hero is to accentuate the importance of trust and loyalty. Bolt is loyal to the young girl, and assists her in times of trouble. Specifically, he rescues her from a fire. Therefore, the young girl can rely on, and trust Bolt. Being able to trust people, and even pets is a good, comforting feeling. show less