What Is the Story of Godzilla?

What Is the Story Of?

by Sheila Keenan, Who H.Q.

Who HQ brings you the stories behind the most well-known characters of our time. In this addition to the What Is the Story Of? series, young readers will discover the exciting story of one of the world's favorite monsters...Godzilla!In 1954, Godzilla appeared on screen for the first time in a Japanese film directed by Ishirō Honda. Awakened by nuclear radiation, the enormous sea monster has appeared in over thirty other films, making Godzilla the longest-running film franchise in history. Known as the "King of the Monsters," Godzilla has earned a huge fanbase worldwide. The dinosaur-like amphibian  has been featured alongside friends and foes such as Mothra and Mechagodzilla, in TV shows, books, video games, and more. There is even a Godzilla star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Learn about the lasting legacy of this iconic character in this nonfiction book for young readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens

112 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2024

About the author

Sheila Keenan is an established author of fiction and nonfiction for young people. Her books include the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Dogs of War, the picture book As the Crow Flies, I Spy The Illuminati Eye, and O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, Landmarks and Inspiring Words, among other selected titles. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Caitlin Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first WhoQ book and I do not regret it. Honestly this would have been amazing for me when Austin and I started dating. Would have saved everyone some time.

[Julie Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike and I have been reading a chapter or 2 a night of different non fiction books. He loves everything Godzilla and I don't really wanna watch all 100000 of the movies or clips on youtube so this was super helpful for me. I can talk his language now... still a beginner but better than before. I would love to take him to Japan someday!!!!

[Fyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good introduction to both the character of Godzilla and its history. The one drawback is it doesn’t talk about Godzilla Minus One, which came out a year before publication, but I don’t know how much time the author had to prepare the book. Anyway, definitely a great read for kaiju fans and a good thing to point people to if they want to know the basics of Godzilla!

[David Rough · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book in the What IS...? series did not engage me like so many in the series. My suggestion is to begin with some of the older volumes in this collection. I was not a big Godzilla fan growing up and this book did not change my attitude toward this strange monster.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

God I wish I had kids to read this to. A cute little intro to the king of the monsters.

[Bookwormgyrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun “biography” of the King of Monsters! 4.5 Bookworms

[Tan Wei Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever! This book is a must have for all Godzilla fans!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Godzilla will forever be a king

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun and interesting.

[Sheila Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read with beautiful illustrations.

[Jaimie O'Dell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled reading this. It was just not appealing to me. However- I’m sure there are kids out there that would love it.

[Kiley Ann]

Did you know that Godzilla was inspired/in response to the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan? I had no idea the origins of this monster and this book will be a great addition to the classroom.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a 65 year old Godzilla fan!! Loved the movies since I was a kid, though I haven't read up on how the films got started or were made, so this is a really good thumbnail sketch of that.