STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS- GALACTIC FORCE BOOK (with 200 mini- stickers)

Published by LADYBIRD BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Looking beyond its lovely brightly designed cover, this a perfect little traveling companion for the kids to play with all over the place, and re-enforced with a plastic cover making it totally durable, too!! The mini stickers are beautifully produced and show off the animated heroes, villains, weapons and planets of the saga well. The book itself is equally nicely created with character spreads and statistics on everyone we love, and everyone we love to hate!!, within the STAR WARS universe-all in lovely full colour and the representing images being well selected from both the film and the earliest episodes produced, including DOWNFALL OF A DROID and MALEVOLENCE RISING.

AFICIONADO RATING: Living up to it's title, kids of all ages will enjoy this excellent product, and have a great time locking the stickers onto their favourite character pages. 10 OUT OF 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS- THE DARK SIDE- GLOW IN THE DARK STICKER BOOK

Published by LADYBIRD BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

LADYBIRD’s terrific line of books for younger THE CLONE WARS fans continues at a lively pace with this latest entry-as with all their titles, this DARK SIDE book is beautifully realized and its creators have been thorough in their homework in finding out what kids like in these types of product. There’s some lovely cut out and keep sections- I like the glowing door hangar cut outs, in particular- and the middle sticker section is great, with character illos that I hadn’t seen before, too. There’s also the regular brain twisters, like the spot the differences and follow the mazes, and I also really enjoyed the presentation of the photo comic strip spread where you can use the stickers and put them against the sections various uncaptioned pictures, and tell your own adventures in special framing balloons- not counting the similar eighties DAIRYLEA/LETRASET transfer sets, this is such an obviously great idea for younger readers that I’m amazed we never had anything as inspired in our seventies books!!!

Once past all the lovingly designed pages there’s the final opportunity to cut out and keep a nice certificate telling you how well you’ve done in passing the books many challenges. Give yourself a hearty congratulations!!

AFICIONADO RATING: You won't have to tread too near the Dark Side to enjoy another splendid addition to the LADYBIRD range. 9 out of 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS-YODA’S MISSIONS ACTIVITY BOOK (with 21 tattoos)

Published by LADYBIRD BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Like Yoda himself, this new LADYBIRD production is a slightly more sophisticated activity book, and primarily for kids a few years older than those reading and enjoying the also released DARK SIDE product. And like Yoda’s training of Luke Skywalker on Dagobah, it’s packed with excellent brain teasers, problem solving, tests of memory and mental agility that will successfully put you on the path to being a Jedi worthy of the little green frog himself!! The book also comes with some really terrific full page posters that would look great framed, with illustrations once again carefully chosen and designed, and of the very high quality, with the added bonus of a selection of 21 tattoos that should delight boy and girl CLONE WARS fans, and make the rest of the kids in the school playground highly envious!!

AFICIONADO RATING: “Do or do not. There is no try!!” With YODA’S MISSIONS book, youngsters will enjoy going beyond the Jedi Master’s teachings!! 9 out of 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS-ULTIMATE STICKER COLLECTION

Published by DORLING KINDERSLEY BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

There are sticker books, and then there are Ultimate Sticker Books. And then there’s the STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS ULTIMATE STICKER COLLECTION BOOK!! There’s a mightily big difference between the latter and those first two. This new DK book is epic with regards to stickers!! With thirty pages of absolutely stunningly reproduced images (including character pics (some previously unseen) and beautifully colourful episodic images from the film and TV episodes up to LAIR OF GRIEVOUS) youngsters will enjoy recreating classic scenes with them, and adding them on to the books front section, which has individual spread/fill in the gap pages linked to the stickers, all of which are packed with detailed information on the STAR WARS SAGA, and all of it nicely weaved together in a fun but positive reading experience by Heather Scott, which will be consumed by fans for a long time to come. There’s also the addition of two pages of adorable little extra mini- stickers adding to the massive six hundred total that kids can do absolutely anything they like with –now that’s a bonus!!

AFICIONADO RATING: A beautiful, defining book of its type. Superbly printed, nicely designed (kudos to Hanna Landin), amazing images, and well worth the price. This will keep children happy for months as the little ones enjoy and marvel their sticker applying skills. We look forward to future series/episodic volumes of these. Love those stickers!! 10 out of 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS-

YODA IN ACTION!

A LEVEL 3 READING ALONE BOOK written by Heather Scott

Published by DORLING KINDERSLEY BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

The STAR WARS saga’s most popular little green frog is back in lightsaber wielding action once more, and finding himself in a dangerous new predicament in the young readers book adventure YODA IN ACTION!! As he and a small group of Clone Troopers are trapped by Separatist forces whilst on their way to an important meeting to win the unity of the flying Toydarian King, Katuunko, Yoda must not only use his physical skills but all of his mental agility and Force training in defeating the Sith Apprentice, Asajj Ventress, who is determined, through devious and deadly means, to show the Jedi and the Republic in a poor light to win support from Katuunkno and increase the ranks of the Separatist Alliance.

Based on the episode AMBUSH, the series premiere of THE CLONE WARS which aired last October, this book is a lovely new addition to the GROUP 3 DK READING ALONE range of books-presumably chosen not only for being a strong, and continuingly highly popular series starter, but also for its potential as an opener for the related book range, too. In both cases, LUCASFILM and DK had made the right choice, and this equally fun and exciting novel adaptation more than shows why. Like all DK products, YODA IN ACTION! is another beautifully realized example of their superior crafting, with the show’s exciting character and action images coming vividly to life on the printed page, and showcasing all the beautiful and expert detailed imagery created by the animators at LUCASFILM. Whereas this episode was presented in photonovel format in the US, DK UK’s opting to turn it into a novelisation instead works well in this territory and in it’s approach in educating the younger readers and getting them to develop their reading skills further-what better way than with Yoda and STAR WARS!! As with previous books in their vast READING ALONE range, author Heather Scott once again presents the episode adaptation with clarity and enjoyment, alongside a very noteworthy and eye catching design by John DeGray, and makes sure that important characters, technology and planets are given individual spotlight sections that readers will have fun being able to go back on and re-read for their fullest enjoyment.

AFICIONADO RATING: Eternally popular with fans of all ages, Yoda is the perfect choice, in the perfect highly accessible story, to launch THE CLONE WARS episodic adventures in this reading format. Fans will be enjoying the images and following the exciting action for a long time to come in this lovely little book. 10 out of 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS-

JEDI ADVENTURES

A LEVEL 4 PROFICIENT READERS BOOK By Heather Scott

Published by DORLING KINDERSLEY BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

I can just see the big grin of contentment on THE CLONE WARS Series Animation Director Dave Filoni’s face when he looks within the pages of JEDI ADVENTURES, the next exciting book in the PROFICIENT READERS series of from DORLING KINDERSLEY for the hit animated series-his own two directed episodes, both of which are amongst the most popular and finest of the first season to date-RISING MALEVOLENCE and CLOAK OF DARKNESS- showcasing the heroic Jedi (particularly another Filoni favourite, the oxygen mask wearing Plo Koon, and the mystical Luminara Unduli) and their fearsome Sith adversaries (including the maniacal General Grievous and the feral, highly dangerous Asajj Ventress) at their best and most diabolical, have been well selected into one adaptive volume and brought to life in the book medium extremely well by regular author Heather Scott and designer Owen Bennett. The house style of this DK book series is maintained-if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!: the spread features pages are positively cram packed with efficient layouts full of terrific imagery, and the story adaptations content is more descriptive and packed with emotive detail, as well as better, expansive word power for stronger reading skill abilities-the episodes themselves are far more mature also, for a more mature child reader to enjoy.

And like the other READING ALONE book series, there is also plenty of info in the pages side bars on crucial characters, weapons, technology and planets important not only to these selected episodes but the whole STAR WARS mythos in general.

Oh, and a lovely cover, to boot!

AFICIONADO RATING: Two highly popular, exciting and story driving episodes converted into one equally successful, fast paced adaptation for younger, more detail enjoying readers. Lucas couldn’t have found a better company than DK to continue his passion to inform, educate and entertain-and what better way than through STAR WARS!! 10 out of 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS-OPERATION HUTTLET ACTIVITY BOOK (with Jedi badges)

Published by LADYBIRD BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

Little Rotta the Huttlet-the breakout diminutive new cute character of the singular CLONE WARS animated movie gets to be the star of his own activity book (not to be confused with the US children’s storybook of the same name)-also based around said stories memorable events and action packed incidents. As well as being able to give the younger readers a choice of wearing four lovely little JEDI badges accompanying the book (which are also needed for various activities within), boys and girls eager to continue their STAR WARS fun beyond the film and TV screens will enjoy making the most of all the nicely created puzzles, brain teasers, code challenges and board games within the booklet, all beautifully rendered and printed in the highest of quality, with lovely images of the characters and scenes from the battle/rescue of Teth. We particularly liked the spot the traitor droid visual game, the lovely door cut outs and the chance to colour in old “punky muffin” himself in a full page illustration.

AFICIONADO RATING: With the continuing dominance of the internet within the lives of children, its nice to see that companies like LADYBIRD are still producing this type of product, which we all liked in our own youths, that will continue to stimulate the children’s imaginations, with occasional enthusiastic help from their STAR WARS fan parents, and sharpen their mental process, whilst having fun with the ever evolving CLONE WARS universe at the same time. This is a lovely medium price ranged book to keep little ones entertained, especially throughout the remaining summer holidays. 8 out of 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS PHOTONOVEL: DOWNFALL OF A DROID

Published by LADYBIRD BOOKS UK

Reviewed by Scott Weller

LADYBIRD’s first medium size children’s photonovel booklet for the animated CLONE WARS series conveniently begins with the actual first regular animated episode of the series to be completed-DOWNFALL OF A DROID, directed by STAR WARS Prequel CGI animation alumini Rob Coleman. And it’s a firm start, not only for the series but this photonovel range, too, with the episodes key characters and visual tone capturing the right market/age intended for the book reader. With the series start itself in the process of refinement as it went along, the raw but still technically impressive CGI work for this episode is beautifully rendered on the printed page, with a nice tight accompanying text synopsis that young readers will keenly absorb. All our favourite main characters are nicely represented in this fan popular episode, especially the ever adored (and deservedly so) Artoo Detoo-who becomes central to the plot, and there are some great new characters to enjoy like the conniving wheeler dealer Trandoshan droid merchant Gha Nachkt, and the deadly IG-86 combat droids.

Being the first installment of a two parter, we hope that the further ambitious finale to this adventure-DUEL OF THE DROIDS- eventually gets a similar impressive photonovel transfer.

AFICIONADO RATING: Another lovely little package from LADYBIRD BOOKS-designed to the last detail to successfully appeal to all younger readers/fans of the first season of THE CLONE WARS. 8 out of 10

STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS

DECIDE YOUR DESTINY SERIES

BOOK 3: DOOKU’S SECRET ARMY

by Sue Behrent

BOOK 4: CRISIS ON CORUSCANT

by Jonathan Green

Published in the UK by LADYBIRD BOOKS

Reviewed by Scott Weller

A new adventure with every read!!

Immerse yourself once again into all the action, danger, intrigue and excitement of the ever advancing Clone Wars in these two brand new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS- DECIDE YOUR DESTINY BOOKS from LADYBIRD. If ever the time was ripe to launch them then this is it-Season Two has made its indelible mark on our TV screens and the evil of the galaxy is on the march, as the Jedi fight on against their sworn enemies, the tyrannical Sith. And only you can help make all the difference. Have you got what it takes to be a Padawan fighting opposite the very best of the best from the Jedi Temple? Will you be a help or hindrance to Masters Shaak Ti and Plo Koon in their respective attempts to save Padme Amidala and the rest of the Republic Senate from both a terrifying new threat to their lives on Coruscant and in warding off a dangerous plan from the fiendishly cunning Count Dooku in setting up a training camp turning fierce mercenaries and bounty hunters into a new race of deadly Sith warriors?

The ships and weapons for fighting are yours to command, and the range of characters you’ll meet on the journeys-both good and bad- will be the ultimate defining member of the STAR WARS Prequel galaxy (from Anakin Skywalker to Dexter Jettster, from Wookiees to Trandoshans). You’ll also encounter hard bitten Clone soldiers, shady space captains, merciless killing droids and dangerous Sith assassins in your perilous missions, from the seedy underbelly of Coruscant to the thrilling confines of a Jedi fighter deep in space battle conflicts against Republic droid fighters- all of these situations and actions will affect your choices- and there are some tough things to overcome- but the title of this series of book tales has never been more apt: you, and you alone, must Decide Your Destiny. If your skills as a worthy member of the Jedi are complete you may continue on to such diverse landscapes as the Great Mesra Plateau or conferring with intergalactic slime ball gangster Jabba the Hutt on the iconic desert world of Tatooine.

But beware anger, fear and aggression, as Yoda would say. And watch out, Padawans-there are some quite cruel endings to these tales if you’re not careful. Believe me, I’ve found that out to my peril numerous times!! With over 50 choices to make, and mysterious codes to decipher and unlock additional content online, as well as exclusive animated scenes at: www.starwars.com/decideyourdestiny, there’s never a dull moment, and each adventure starts anew whatever happens.

So, make the decisions, follow your courageous Jedi mind and spirit along each books page’s and then interact further online to see how well you’ll do. As with her previous two books in the series, author Sue Behrent weaves a strong satisfying idea into perfect diverging installments, amidst a wealth of well maintained STAR WARS history and continuity. Newcomer to the range Jonathan Green proves equally adept in this new universe of interactive storytelling; his tale just as strong and enjoyable to partake in. The structuring of these books must be as much of a challenge for them to put together as they are to read, and they certainly maintain their position as the best of their type in this literary format- high quality items that young children and adults will enjoy participate in- the options of adventure and decision making being endless, with a fate that’s never set.

As for me, I’m still not making a good and worthy Jedi- “do or do not, there is no try,” Yoda would say. Well, having completed these books, the little green Jedi Master would probably hit me over the head with his gimmer stick for being such an incompetent  member of his sacred and important order. At one point in CRISIS ON CORUSCANT I even ended up joining the Sith!! Now how bad is that!! Even if I had joined “the other side”, knowing me I’d probably end up as one of those battle droid battering rams used by General Grievous, or as an equally disposable lightsaber fencing robot for Count Dooku!!

Despite my inabilities to become a Jedi sufficiently experienced enough to survive anything at all, I’m really, really trying to save the Republic!! Perhaps I’ll do better with books 5 and 6!! And that makes it even more fun!!

Become a Jedi-live the adventure!!

AFICIONADO RATING: Another two excellent books in the DECIDE YOUR DESTINY series-there’s certainly plenty of scope and adventure to be had. Now, to make it all more realistic, if only someone could create a working lightsaber to add to the excitement!! 4 out of 5

STAR WARS -  THE CLONE WARS: CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA

Written by Jason Fry

Published by DORLING KINDERSLEY

Reviewed by Scott Weller

That amazing galaxy from a long time ago and far, far away has become a busier and more crowded place – for the better- since the arrival of THE CLONE WARS animated series, which first launched into new exploits of heroism and villainy in 2008, with its diverse range of intriguing and powerful heroes, boo-hiss villains, unusual aliens, and bizarre and lovable droids. Now, New York Times bestselling author, and CLONE WARS walking encyclopedia, Jason Fry, in association with the equally talented people at DORLING KINDERSLEY, bring us a super exhaustive and uniquely assembled guide to all those major and minor players who contribute so much to our enjoyment of George Lucas’s universe at war saga, listing the best of the best, and the best of the rest (200 plus in fact!), from the hit series first two seasons, and all visually presented in fantastic high quality printing, alongside full detailed information on all the characters, their backgrounds, their unique talents and characteristics and key, often unforgettable moments in the various episodes, all accompanied by some superb imagery and classic scenes. With all the time shifting of storytelling currently going on within the series third year it’s a very handy guide to dive into for reference so as to keep track of the characters, especially the many distinctive Clone Troopers serving the Republic in the battle against the Separatists. THE CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA is an essential must have for your THE CLONE WARS collection, and highly accessible and enjoyable for readers of any age. But a note to the official proof checkers at LUCASFILM, the word "lightsaber" is still being spelt wrong in their publications (especially in this volume), and its very annoying!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO RATING: an information packed 9 out of 10