Watch and Read: Spotlight on Media Tie-ins
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Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 10/30/2007 12:23:00 PM
The Ultimate Toy Store
Written and directed by Zach Helm and produced by Walden Media, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium hits theaters on November 16, 2007. After 113 years, eccentric Mr. Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) is ready to relinquish ownership of his beloved—and magical—toy store to his self-doubting assistant, Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). Encouraged by the friendship of nine-year-old Eric (Zack Mills) and a stuffed-shirt accountant (Jason Bateman), Mahoney finally learns to believe in herself, discovering within the “sparkle” needed to once again fill the shop with magic. Catch a preview at Magorium.com and look for more information at walden.com/magorium.
Several movie tie-ins are available from Scholastic: Magical Movie Storybook (PreS–Gr 3), a hardcover colorfully illustrated with stills from the film, sums up the plot for the read-aloud crowd; Mahoney’s Magic (PreS–Gr 2), a staple-bound storybook, and A Little Magic (Gr 1–3), an easy-reader, both retell the story from Eric’s point of view and are also illustrated with movie photos; and Magical Movie Novel (Gr 3–6) is a lively novelization supplemented with eight pages of movie photos. The standout, however, is The Amazing Compendium of Edward Magorium (Gr 3–6), imaginatively “retold” by N. E. Bode, author of The Anybodies (HarperCollins, 2004). Written as a series of short A-to-Z entries, the book goes beyond the movie plot to fill in the details of the toy maker’s early life, recount his interactions with numerous historical figures (from Napoleon to Elvis Presley), and describe the creation of his magical establishment.
Revisualizing a Timeless Tale
Strap on your swords, summon your skalds, and prepare for Beowulf (PG-13), a big-screen adaptation of the Anglo-Saxon epic poem to be released by Paramount Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment on November 16, 2007. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film stars Ray Winstone in the title role, Anthony Hopkins as the cursed King Hrothgar, and Angelina Jolie as Grendel’s mother. While much of the movie remains true to the original poem, plot elements have been added and some of the characterizations have been expanded and/or reimagined. Check out the latest at BeowulfMovie.com.
Featuring an attention-grabbing photo of a sword-wielding Winstone on the cover, Caitlín R. Kiernan’s robust movie tie-in (HarperEntertainment) is based on the screenplay written by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary. An author’s note warns that this novelization will not fulfill school assignments to read the original (“Not even close”). While strong language, sexual themes, and violence may make this offering most appropriate for adult collections, the book’s fast pace will appeal to mature teens.
Take advantage of this movie event to steer young readers to one of the many attractive and entrancing versions of Beowulf that have recently been published for a variety of ages. For more sophisticated readers (Gr 10 Up), suggest Gareth Hinds’s gripping, graphic-novel rendition of the epic, which conveys the highlights through comic-book-style pictures and rhythmic text. For younger readers (Gr 5–9), try Michael Morpurgo’s lyrical and action-packed retelling, enhanced by Michael Foreman’s brilliant watercolors. The same audience might enjoy James Rumford’s briefer, but beautifully retold account, adorned with handsome, finely detailed artwork. Penelope Hicks’s straightforward narrative retelling is accompanied by James McLean’s serviceable black-and-white graphic-style pictures. Also available is a new edition of Welwyn Wilton Katz’s adaptation (Groundwood, 1999), told in a longer, more poetic narrative style from the point of view of Wiglaf, Beowulf’s young kinsman, and adorned by Laszlo Gal’s shimmering, stylized paintings.
Pub Info
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
BALABAN, Mariah. Mahoney’s Magic. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91248-8.
BODE, N.E. The Amazing Compendium of Edward Magorium. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91636-3.
HERMAN, Gail. A Little Magic. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91249-5.
STEELE, Michael Anthony. Magical Movie Storybook. Tr $8.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91252-5.
WEYN, Suzanne. Magical Movie Novel. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-439-91250-1.
ea vol: Scholastic. 2007.
Beowulf
KIERNAN, Caitlín R. Beowulf. HarperEntertainment. 2007. pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-06-134128-1.
BEOWULF. adapt. & illus. by Gareth Hinds. Candlewick. 2007. Tr $21.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3022-5; pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3023-2.
BEOWULF. adapt. by Michael Morpurgo. illus. by Michael Foreman. Candlewick. 2006. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-7636-3206-9.
BEOWULF: A HERO'S TALE RETOLD. adapt. & illus. by James Rumford. Houghton. 2007. Tr $17.00. ISBN 978-0-6187-5637-7.
BEOWULF. adapt. by Penelope Hicks. illus. by James McLean. (Kingfisher Epics). Kingfisher. 2007. pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-0-7534-6134-1.
BEOWULF. adapt. by Welwyn Wilton Katz. illus. by Laszlo Gal. Groundwood. 2007. Tr $17.95. ISBN 978-0-88899-807-1.
