On Force Friday, Disney/Lucasfilm Press released the first official Star Wars picture storybook: BB-8 on the Run. This was a long time coming, and I can’t tell you how excited I was as a Youth Services Librarian when this was announced at Celebration in April. Finally, after the release of new YA books and Middle Grade novels for young fans, we were getting a picture book. While the previously released ABC-3PO and Obi-123 are children’s books, they are not traditional picture books that tell a linear story. With this outing, Disney/Lucasfilm Press takes their first steps into a larger world.
Going on an Adventure
BB-8 on the Run picks up moments after Poe tells BB-8 to run and follows him until the time he meets up with Rey. Over the course of the next day, BB-8 gets into trouble, makes friends, and helps others. While on the run from Teedo, he remembers the lessen Poe taught him.
“It’s easy buddy. You do good things, and good things will come back to you.”
I love that this lessen is included. You are never too young to learn this moral. Some call this Karma, and considering the Force and Jedi’s roots in Eastern religions, I’m not surprised to see the concept of Karma used here. Even though BB-8 is in danger, he never falters from this directive from his master, stopping to help several people even though it delays him in his journey to find safety.
Add in an Award Winning Duo
Author Drew Daywalt is the author of the New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed books The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home. He brings the same wit and creativity to BB-8 on the Run that he brought to his previous books.
Illustrator Matt Myers created some gorgeous images to accompany Daywalt’s story. The images were rendered in acrylic and oil before the text was added in Photoshop. I can’t imagine how long it must have taken to paint these stunning images, and am rather curious as to how big the canvases actually are. I’d love to own a print of one. If the artwork looks familiar to you, it was used to promote Star Wars Reads in October.
One Perfect Children’s Book
This book is the perfect read aloud for a bedtime story for your little youngling. If your youngling is an independent reader who reads at around a second grade level, they should have no problem reading this book themselves or to younger siblings. Pick up this book in time for the holidays at your favorite book retailer.
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