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The Elements of Harmony #1
The Elements of Harmony: The Official Guidebook
Inside this important tome, every pony will find everything they need to know about the hit TV show, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Character bios, an episode guide and a map of Equestria are just the beginning of this gorgeous full-color book. Don't miss the complete lyrics to all the songs, a collection of Letters to Princess Celestia, and much much more!
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2013
61 people are currently reading
944 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
Want to read
May 8, 2013This book is going to be perfect,
The type of book of which I've dreamed since season 1
Little known fact about me, my avatar isn't just for creative purposes (well, kind of, but it's a pony...with a book!) but I'm a huge brony/pegasister and as so I simply can't skip this one. Now only to speculate what's in it...
Update: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/11...
Oh my god it actually says for ages 12 and up.
I'm not sure if very smart marketing or if it was actually written with the Bronies in mind. Or both.
Either way...
[image error]
Update #2 I guess I should say something about how gorgeous the cover is, or how exciting it is to have the show's creator, director and head-writer all writing things for this book...
Instead I'll just sum up my reaction in another gif.
[image error]
The type of book of which I've dreamed since season 1
Little known fact about me, my avatar isn't just for creative purposes (well, kind of, but it's a pony...with a book!) but I'm a huge brony/pegasister and as so I simply can't skip this one. Now only to speculate what's in it...
Update: http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/11...
Oh my god it actually says for ages 12 and up.
I'm not sure if very smart marketing or if it was actually written with the Bronies in mind. Or both.
Either way...
[image error]
Update #2 I guess I should say something about how gorgeous the cover is, or how exciting it is to have the show's creator, director and head-writer all writing things for this book...
Instead I'll just sum up my reaction in another gif.
[image error]
July 26, 2016
This book is 20% cooler than all the rest, especially if you are a fan of the show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. This book takes a look at the show, the characters, and the world, reminding you of what has happened from Season 1 to Season 3 while giving a few insights to the creative process behind the show. This book shows you what the Magic of Friendship is all about.
First off, I have to say that the design of this book is gorgeous, and the “20% cooler” quote on the front was a great touch. I feel like the content of the book was written mostly for the younger audience of the show (maybe not the youngest, but the audience is not meant to be the older bronies), but yet this book is presented in such a way for the older fans to enjoy it as well.
This guidebook does offer a few new insights to the show, and it was great seeing the thought process/sketches behind some of the aspects of the show, but… A large part of this book is giving episode summaries and song lyrics. Not that I mind either, as it is great to have a physical reference to go to, and I liked that all of the Friendship Lessons were pulled out. But… I almost want a second book that gives a more in-depth look into the show, the characters, and the world. It would be a great companion to this guide.
Speaking of this being a guidebook… This book came out in-between Seasons 3 and 4. Which was a good time to come out in the sense that the show was changing, and this book does a great job at complying everything up until that point, to allow a look back at everything Twilight has gone through, but…
I read this book after Season 4 had started, and I think this book should have waited until the first two episodes of Season 4 had aired. This book talks some about Luna and Celestia and what went down between them, as well as a little bit about the Elements of Harmony, and Discord, but it doesn’t give the full story on any of those things. As soon as the first two episodes of S4 aired, this book became outdated. Well, maybe outdated isn’t the right word, but it doesn’t seem like a very good guide when it doesn’t tell the full story.
For more nitpicking…
Page 25: “Some say she [Princess Celestia] is more than one thousand years old.” Really? No duh she is over a thousand years old, considering she banished her sister to the moon ONE THOUSAND years ago.
Page 35: Notice how Derpy is not named, or show with crossed eyes. (Sidenote: I realize the people behind the show don’t care anymore about censoring Derpy, considering S4, but this was obviously when they were still indecisive about whether to censor Derpy or not)
Page 53: “King Sombra ruled the Crystal Empire thousands of years ago” Thousands? Try one thousand.
Page 69: This page talks about the history of Equestria and how the three tribes of ponies had to learn to work together, but… I guess what I would really like is a clearer outline of when everything happened, with all of the big villains from a thousand years ago. Instead, this doesn’t mention any of the villains, other than the Windigos. This bit of history makes no effort to fit into what we already know, and doesn’t offer anything new.
Page 77: “The Elements of Harmony were also the Elements of Friendship”
This one is not a nitpick, but a line I loved. Call me stupid, but for some reason, I never realized this. I’m not sure how I didn’t figure this out, but I didn’t. I think the Elements being those of friendship really helps to explain why they are so powerful against villains, and it helps to separate them from the talents/cutie marks of the Mane 6.
Though, as a sidenote about the Elements…
Applejack’s Element doesn’t really fit her, and is a hard one to allow character development. I mean, it’s not that she isn’t honest, but it doesn’t fit her in the way the other Elements fit the rest of the Mane 6. In the first two episodes, it’s Applejack’s moment with Twilight that feels the weakest. Digibro makes some good points in his video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-wTTw...) about how Applejack’s Element should have been Dependability, as more of her episodes focus on that, rather than honesty, and it would have better fit the premiere of the show, when she is letting Twilight know she can be depended on. But that’s more of a note on the show than this book…
Page 78: We felt some of the concerns over making the episodes too scary or confusing for our target audience… I really held back on Nightmare Moon’s frightening factor in the first two-parter.”
I love that they talked some about this, because it helps explain the first two episodes so much more. I mean, everyone in the fandom seems to love Celestia’s and Luna’s relationship and their backstory, but the fandom itself has been the ones to really delve into what that all meant. It’s nice to know that the people behind the show put more thought into the first two episodes than we sometimes credit them for.
Page 79: Luna was intended to have a lingering issue with Celestia. I wanted her to be a bigger part of Season One, but I worried about pushback for her ‘darkness’ in the beginning. I meant for her to still need to learn how to feel good about herself in her sister’s shadow”
I really wish they had kept this, as I would have loved to see this play out in the show. There was some of Luna having to adjust (in Season 2, if I remember right), but it was as if the reasons she had become evil were forgotten. I feel almost as if there needed to be an episode in-between her first appearance and her second, both to deal with some of this stuff, and to explain more her redesign and her change in personality. Though that’s more of a critique on the show, and not this book.
Page 138-139: “However, none of her friends are happy to see the Elements. Seemingly devoid of hope, Twilight also turns gray. She tries to force the Elements onto their owners and unite them against Discord.” False. Twilight does not turn gray until AFTER she tries to use the Elements.
I just want to clarify something when it comes to my nitpicking—I nitpick because I love the show, and I call it nitpicking because I really did enjoy the book, but there were just a few small issues that should have been corrected, especially since this is a guidebook.
So, overall, I really enjoyed this book and I love the design of it. I’m so glad I decided to buy it, and it’s a great basis to start with when analyzing the show, allowing a fast glance at all of the episodes and of the world. I highly recommend this book to the fans of this show.
First off, I have to say that the design of this book is gorgeous, and the “20% cooler” quote on the front was a great touch. I feel like the content of the book was written mostly for the younger audience of the show (maybe not the youngest, but the audience is not meant to be the older bronies), but yet this book is presented in such a way for the older fans to enjoy it as well.
This guidebook does offer a few new insights to the show, and it was great seeing the thought process/sketches behind some of the aspects of the show, but… A large part of this book is giving episode summaries and song lyrics. Not that I mind either, as it is great to have a physical reference to go to, and I liked that all of the Friendship Lessons were pulled out. But… I almost want a second book that gives a more in-depth look into the show, the characters, and the world. It would be a great companion to this guide.
Speaking of this being a guidebook… This book came out in-between Seasons 3 and 4. Which was a good time to come out in the sense that the show was changing, and this book does a great job at complying everything up until that point, to allow a look back at everything Twilight has gone through, but…
I read this book after Season 4 had started, and I think this book should have waited until the first two episodes of Season 4 had aired. This book talks some about Luna and Celestia and what went down between them, as well as a little bit about the Elements of Harmony, and Discord, but it doesn’t give the full story on any of those things. As soon as the first two episodes of S4 aired, this book became outdated. Well, maybe outdated isn’t the right word, but it doesn’t seem like a very good guide when it doesn’t tell the full story.
For more nitpicking…
Page 25: “Some say she [Princess Celestia] is more than one thousand years old.” Really? No duh she is over a thousand years old, considering she banished her sister to the moon ONE THOUSAND years ago.
Page 35: Notice how Derpy is not named, or show with crossed eyes. (Sidenote: I realize the people behind the show don’t care anymore about censoring Derpy, considering S4, but this was obviously when they were still indecisive about whether to censor Derpy or not)
Page 53: “King Sombra ruled the Crystal Empire thousands of years ago” Thousands? Try one thousand.
Page 69: This page talks about the history of Equestria and how the three tribes of ponies had to learn to work together, but… I guess what I would really like is a clearer outline of when everything happened, with all of the big villains from a thousand years ago. Instead, this doesn’t mention any of the villains, other than the Windigos. This bit of history makes no effort to fit into what we already know, and doesn’t offer anything new.
Page 77: “The Elements of Harmony were also the Elements of Friendship”
This one is not a nitpick, but a line I loved. Call me stupid, but for some reason, I never realized this. I’m not sure how I didn’t figure this out, but I didn’t. I think the Elements being those of friendship really helps to explain why they are so powerful against villains, and it helps to separate them from the talents/cutie marks of the Mane 6.
Though, as a sidenote about the Elements…
Applejack’s Element doesn’t really fit her, and is a hard one to allow character development. I mean, it’s not that she isn’t honest, but it doesn’t fit her in the way the other Elements fit the rest of the Mane 6. In the first two episodes, it’s Applejack’s moment with Twilight that feels the weakest. Digibro makes some good points in his video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-wTTw...) about how Applejack’s Element should have been Dependability, as more of her episodes focus on that, rather than honesty, and it would have better fit the premiere of the show, when she is letting Twilight know she can be depended on. But that’s more of a note on the show than this book…
Page 78: We felt some of the concerns over making the episodes too scary or confusing for our target audience… I really held back on Nightmare Moon’s frightening factor in the first two-parter.”
I love that they talked some about this, because it helps explain the first two episodes so much more. I mean, everyone in the fandom seems to love Celestia’s and Luna’s relationship and their backstory, but the fandom itself has been the ones to really delve into what that all meant. It’s nice to know that the people behind the show put more thought into the first two episodes than we sometimes credit them for.
Page 79: Luna was intended to have a lingering issue with Celestia. I wanted her to be a bigger part of Season One, but I worried about pushback for her ‘darkness’ in the beginning. I meant for her to still need to learn how to feel good about herself in her sister’s shadow”
I really wish they had kept this, as I would have loved to see this play out in the show. There was some of Luna having to adjust (in Season 2, if I remember right), but it was as if the reasons she had become evil were forgotten. I feel almost as if there needed to be an episode in-between her first appearance and her second, both to deal with some of this stuff, and to explain more her redesign and her change in personality. Though that’s more of a critique on the show, and not this book.
Page 138-139: “However, none of her friends are happy to see the Elements. Seemingly devoid of hope, Twilight also turns gray. She tries to force the Elements onto their owners and unite them against Discord.” False. Twilight does not turn gray until AFTER she tries to use the Elements.
I just want to clarify something when it comes to my nitpicking—I nitpick because I love the show, and I call it nitpicking because I really did enjoy the book, but there were just a few small issues that should have been corrected, especially since this is a guidebook.
So, overall, I really enjoyed this book and I love the design of it. I’m so glad I decided to buy it, and it’s a great basis to start with when analyzing the show, allowing a fast glance at all of the episodes and of the world. I highly recommend this book to the fans of this show.
June 10, 2018
A must have for every My Little Pony's Fans !
This book is beautiful : inside but also on the outside.
I was afraid of reading a childish book, but not at all. It's perfect, I loved it, I didn't think I could love My Little Pony more but learning secrets and stuff about the show makes me love it even more. and it made me want to do a marathon !
This book is beautiful : inside but also on the outside.
I was afraid of reading a childish book, but not at all. It's perfect, I loved it, I didn't think I could love My Little Pony more but learning secrets and stuff about the show makes me love it even more. and it made me want to do a marathon !
December 5, 2025
this book knocked my socks right off my feet!!!!!! it was so great 😃! It gave me so much information I almost felt like I was in the cast MYSELF!!! Who knows maybe I teleported 😏. am I pony now? I always knew I had a personal connection with them. maybe I am rainbow dash? can I fly?!? nope. definitely no. I better not try that again. WOW I just have no words. I feel like I know everything about the show. too bad it only goes to the end of the 3rd season. still great! well I better go get some socks! my feet are cold from getting them blown off!!!
July 3, 2013
This makes me laugh!It is basically a book that tells about all sorts of My Little Ponies (based on the tv series). You know, short blurbs about their "personalities" and whatnot. Girls that love my little pony will enjoy reading them. Adults and librarians will love laughing over them. And as an added bonus the cover says "20% cooler than all other books!" And really, who can beat that?!? Ha!
July 30, 2014
I like Applejack because she is a lot like me.My favorite cutie mark crusaders are Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.I like Angel Bunny and Opal Esence.My favorite villians are Nightmare Moon and Queen Chrysalis.My element of harmony is probably genorosity.The Elements Of Harmony is one of my favorite books.
March 10, 2015
This book is 20% cooler! It even has Discord in it! Yay!
September 27, 2018
well kinda cool for a young age cuz all the talk about #friend ship
cuz some of the stories dumb and some are really heart touching
well i thought its gonna be an epic comic but its not wait a sec
why am i talking mc queen i like sans better ugh its just so boring
to type without emojis cuz waiiiit again emm ok thats all for today cuz
im reading anne of green gables
cuz some of the stories dumb and some are really heart touching
well i thought its gonna be an epic comic but its not wait a sec
why am i talking mc queen i like sans better ugh its just so boring
to type without emojis cuz waiiiit again emm ok thats all for today cuz
im reading anne of green gables
August 6, 2020
It was nice to read some from the authors/producers/composers/etc.'s point of view on the making of the series, and also the reception and the wide fan base. †Having the lyrics to all the songs written out also made me want to go back and see all those episodes again!
August 23, 2020
For what this book is, a pleasant walkthrough of the MLP show (up to season 3), it's just a delight to not only get some secret insight but also if I ever need to explain to someone why the show is good, I can just hand them this.
May 13, 2022
A great relic from season's 1-3! There's so much in here; from synopses to concept art, even a few interviews from the creators. I used to sit in a box at my daycare and sing songs out of the lyric section in this thing. Fun times.
malique-bontin
April 22, 2021I love my little pony
April 24, 2021
Here is only 2 options 1. Buy on amazon and 2. Other stores no option to read 😐☹️
February 27, 2022
literal chefs kiss, never seen a more wholesome book than this
April 30, 2022
Awesome book. A visual treat
November 23, 2022
its nice, but the info is slightly un-updated to current G4 lore and info, just incase anyone wants to read it now!
December 28, 2022
How I can't find the comics?
March 29, 2023
Gift. Good for reference to the animation industry.
June 18, 2023
Great for the older fans of the shows and movies.
February 24, 2025
Exceptionally informative, you get a deep dive into understanding the creators' thought process. I love MLP <(^_^)> !!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2016
I LOVE MLP!
December 31, 2014
Ok - disclaimer - if you are not a pony fan, or a fan of a pony fan, this is not the book for you & the star rating would not apply if you don't fall into either one of those categories as well. Heads up, you've been warned!
However, if you DO fall into one of the two categories above, this is a pretty fine little book about all things in the Little Pony world. The first part of the book is actually quite good and the theories about the characters, their evolution, who is (& isn't) a "bad guy" & why some "bad guys" never get good, is all great, and very telling in terms of what we are putting out there for our kids (& adults!) to watch. The driving purpose behind the Little Pony Team, is not only to put out a fun show that seems to be as addictive as crack, but to have messages interwoven into their characters as well. Celebrating the differences between all the ponies - and their friends and enemies - provides great life lessons, and some entertainment as well.
The last half of the book is a detailed description of each episode and this is where you had better be a fan. If you are not a passionate pony person, reading each episode - followed by the lyrics to all the songs - can be tedious. But, if you are a parent of a pony person, it is a great way to catch up on all the secrets you may have missed while "watching" the show.
Overall, if you like the ponies, pick up the book - if you don't like the ponies, shame on you!! ;)
However, if you DO fall into one of the two categories above, this is a pretty fine little book about all things in the Little Pony world. The first part of the book is actually quite good and the theories about the characters, their evolution, who is (& isn't) a "bad guy" & why some "bad guys" never get good, is all great, and very telling in terms of what we are putting out there for our kids (& adults!) to watch. The driving purpose behind the Little Pony Team, is not only to put out a fun show that seems to be as addictive as crack, but to have messages interwoven into their characters as well. Celebrating the differences between all the ponies - and their friends and enemies - provides great life lessons, and some entertainment as well.
The last half of the book is a detailed description of each episode and this is where you had better be a fan. If you are not a passionate pony person, reading each episode - followed by the lyrics to all the songs - can be tedious. But, if you are a parent of a pony person, it is a great way to catch up on all the secrets you may have missed while "watching" the show.
Overall, if you like the ponies, pick up the book - if you don't like the ponies, shame on you!! ;)
March 14, 2022
Love the elements of harmony 😍 ❤ 💕 💙 💛 ♥ 😍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2017
I am reading this with my 6 year old daughter. Her choice. Not mine. The vocabulary in this book is over the top! But, she is determined to read it and we're enjoying our time together. We take turns according to her interest and energy level because it is pretty intense reading, I think, for her age. She has been a huge My Little Pony fan, so it's been really fun for us both to see how the series was created and to reflect back on each episode.
December 13, 2013
MLP:FiM is a pretty good title as these guidebooks go. It has numerous interviews, forewords, and sidebars from people associated with the production of the show, concept art, a summary of each of the show's episodes through season 3, and much more. Although there were a few minor details that, as an obsessive fan, I didn't think were presented entirely accurately, the book was still very well-executed. Brandon T. Snider has written a bunch of these books (The Dark Knight Manual, DC Comics Ultimate Character Guide, The Superman Guide to Life), and he clearly has a good handle on how to make the overall package attractive and easy to read.
A longer version of this review appears at abouttomock.blogspot.com
A longer version of this review appears at abouttomock.blogspot.com
August 15, 2016
"If we give little girls a respectful interpretation of the things they like - if we date to take it as seriously as they do- we will see for ourselves that it's not so silly at all." -a forward by Lauren Faust
Totally a must read for any serious my little pony fans. I checked his book out from the library but plan to get my own copy. This book is a beautiful overview of the first 3 seasons of the show complete with great insights and explanations from the shows creators. I also really appreciate the ways this book explicitly owns the diverse viewership and why the ponies have connected so deeply with a lot of us
Also super high production values and adorable ponies everywhere!
Totally a must read for any serious my little pony fans. I checked his book out from the library but plan to get my own copy. This book is a beautiful overview of the first 3 seasons of the show complete with great insights and explanations from the shows creators. I also really appreciate the ways this book explicitly owns the diverse viewership and why the ponies have connected so deeply with a lot of us
Also super high production values and adorable ponies everywhere!
Read
June 5, 2015This is without a doubt the most cherished book owned by the seven year old I babysit, and the most coveted by her four year old brother. We honestly read from it every day, and often use it as a reference or "spellbook" in games we play. Every pony, song, and episode from Friendship Is Magic seasons 1-3 are detailed inside. The episode summaries are two pages a piece, and include Princess Celestia's friendship lessons, but no other direct dialogue. The kids love remembering episodes they have seen, and it helps inform me about My Little Pony without having to actually watch the TV show!
October 22, 2015
I'd actually gone shopping for the Steven Universe Guide to the Crystal Gems, but couldn't find it at the store. Instead they had this at a great price in hardcover and I just had to have it.
Equal parts behind the scenes, character guides, and episode guides for seasons 1 to 3, this is a well put together book that any fan of MLP will adore.
I especially enjoyed the concept sketches of various ponies, and especially the character design elements for Luna/Nightmare Moon. Love seeing these thought processes by Lauren Faust as she crafted the characters.
Equal parts behind the scenes, character guides, and episode guides for seasons 1 to 3, this is a well put together book that any fan of MLP will adore.
I especially enjoyed the concept sketches of various ponies, and especially the character design elements for Luna/Nightmare Moon. Love seeing these thought processes by Lauren Faust as she crafted the characters.
February 3, 2014
This covers the first three seasons of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I watch the show on Saturdays and that's about it, but I enjoyed this. There was a ton of background information and concept art to peruse. The book is laid out gorgeously, with lots of episode stills and character portraits. My only quibble is that the only quotes are on the endpapers and since I borrowed this from the library, I was unable to read most of them, due to the affixed dust jacket.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews