Star Wars: A New Hope

Star Wars Golden Books #4

by Geof Smith, Caleb Meurer (Illustrator)

The epic space saga, Star Wars: A New Hope, is finally retold in the iconic Little Golden Book format! Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy, as he leaves his home planet, battles the evil Empire, and learns the ways of the Force. Featuring stunning retro illustrations, this book is perfect forStar Wars-and Little Golden Book-fans of all ages!

Genres: Star Wars, Picture Books, Childrens, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Space, Fiction

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2015

Reviews

[Gina]

My first impression is still true, but...pro-tip: read it as if Andy Dwyer from Parks and Rec is narrating, and the present tense won't seem so distracting.

First review
90% of the reason for having this book is because it's a Little Golden Book, but I have to applaud Smith on adapting a lengthy and often dark movie into a short, light book for kids. The illustrations are also delightful to look at.

[Stay]

A great addition to the Star Wars family. From the cute illustrations to the short story, it's perfect. This will be enjoyed by young and old. Just remember to use the force wisely.

[Mavis’s Dad]

Let the indoctrination begin. Thorough, accurate, and with kid-friendly illustrations, this is the perfect primer for your youngling to fall in love with the Star Wars saga.

Moral: Go out and make your own hope by fighting tyranny and evil.

Length: I never met a Little Golden Book with more words, but as Yoda would say, matter it does not.

Favorite Line: “‘You’re all clear kid,’ shouts Han ‘Now let’s blow this thing and go home!’”

Overall Impression: Marvel and Disney are owned by the same guys at this point. They should collaborate on their Little Golden Books. This is full of action, story and dialogue and a much better read than the biographies provided in the Marvel Series. I’m excited to search for a copy of the Empire Strikes Back.

[DiscoSpacePanther]

My four year old daughter loves this retelling of the first Star Wars movie - and takes great joy in pointing out that whilst this book shows 5 TIEs pursuing the Millennium Falcon from the Death Star, the movie only has 4 - great subitisation practice!. So it’s educational as well as entertaining. Truly a franchise that keeps on giving to all generations.

Might see if I can find the other 5 books of the Star Wars saga movies.

[Sullivan Wheeler]

My daddy did such a good job reading this book :)

[Jocelin]

I thought the illustrations were really good on this entry into "The Star Wars" universe. The story was simple and will do well with bring new (younger) fans into the Rebel Alliance.

[Sarah A]

Absolutely delightful version of the first real Star Wars movie in golden book format. Really nice version of the story for kids to enjoy.

[Clara]

This book gets infinitely better when you're reading it with one of your best friends, who reads the cantina page aloud while you sing the music.

[寿理 宮本]

I don't know what the "Force" specifically classifies as... I tagged "paranormal" because... mysticism? Unexplained phenomenon? I don't know. Comment if you have a better idea.

Mostly I read this because someone left a VERY tattered copy in the free library, and I wanted it to at least get a review before its final destination in the recycle bin (or compost heap, though my cheap pots got destroyed by the weather and we don't have a useable yard as such since the prior owners astroturfed it).

I'll be honest: When put to the question, I couldn't actually think of my "favourite" Star Wars. They all just kind of... *exist* in my fading memory, with no particular love for them (but no hate, either). It's a series that's been around so long that I sort of feel "It's still going?" whenever it gets mentioned, a bit like finding out a forgotten celebrity is still alive OR recently deceased enough that the initial reaction is astonishment they were still alive.

The main reason I rate the Little Golden Book version as highly as I do is it does a pretty good job of summarising the movie in 24 pages. Is it readable to a complete newcomer? Probably not, but I can't imagine anyone would hand this to a very young reader WITHOUT also showing them the movie. Seems unfathomable! I would've given a lower rating if not for nostalgia, as it were—admittedly, I forgot a lot of the middle part, so this is a good "reminder" of how things connected.

I don't know. Great for diehard fans to pass on to their younglings/padawans, I guess? (though this chapter of the series predates either of those terms)

[Destiny Valenzano]

A New Hope tells the reader how everything starts in Star Wars, but for a child. Reading this book gives them the insight of watching the movie.
Now of days, kids a all talking about Star Wars. This book is what all the children should be reading since it is relatable to what is going on in the world right now. Kids are pretending to be Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker.
The impact is that kids can read this book and they can be or do anything they want. If they want to be a princess that fights and saves the day, they can do that . By doing things and helping others can change peoples lives.
The book is a little wordy for a little kids book. The book has a lot of big words for the age group that would be reading this book. The pictures are just the right sizes for the page and with the words.
The Literary elements are that is easy for kids to read in this reading level. It also connects to all of the other books. The design element that stands out to me the most is how certain words are a different color or front to stand out more to the reader. That give it more fun to read and that the reader can understand the book better.

[Alice]

I've added a star as the illustrations are great, but I think this is a poor adaptation of the film. It keeps unnecessary details like the Jawas (why not have Luke find the droids straight away?) and the Sand People, while whizzing through complex battles and using confusing terminology (are TIE fighters goodies or baddies?).

[Holly]

This is a very short version of the story. Yet it hit on the main parts and easy enough for children to read. I read this book to my 4 year old and he LOVED it! He kept pointing at the pictures and saying the characters names. He was rooting for the good guys! To say the least I had to reread this book many times to him.

[Kristy]

Collective review for A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi: obviously, Little Golden Books are for kids but, for the short length, I thought each one did a great recap of the corresponding movie.

[Robert John]

Luke Skywalker finds a message from a droid R2D2. He is guided by a man named Ben Kenobi who is really a master Jedi Obi Wan Kenobi. They meet a pilot and his wookie. The go find Princess Leia who was the one that gave the message to the droid.

[Andy Hickman]

Little Treasures. Star Wars. A New Hope.
(Star Wars Golden Books #4) by Geof Smith, Caleb Meurer (Illustrator) Micky Rose (Illustrator)

Surprisingly consistent retelling.
"You're all clear, kid!" shouts Han. "Now, let's blow this thing and go home."
..

[Cassey]

Loved by my kid.

[Juliettereiss]

So cute and well told and charming illustrations.

[Dani Miller]

A little light on the incest

[TJ & AJ]

This was more for us than for the kids. TJ likes pointing out the characters he knows (primarily R2D2) but it's not a story he asks for again and again.

[superawesomekt]

These books are simply dry plot summaries and therefore some of the worst for reading aloud. I now have a rule that they are only for my kids' independent reading.

[Eugenio]

Good kids summary of A New Hope

[Janet]

Interesting.

[Allie ReadsMore]

You know what? I enjoyed it.

[Ivy S]

Nathan said I better give this 5 stars even though we haven’t rated any of the other books we have read to Nova 😂

[Tapani Aulu]

Tätä ja seuraavia viittä ei taida vielä suomeksi olla kuin kokoelmassa. Mutta samaa settiä kuin muutkin.

[KaitandMaddie]

May the Fourth read.

[Danielle T]

A very child appropriate abridgement of the first Star Wars movie.

[Teri]

What was originally just called Star Wars has been named "A New Hope." I didn't see this movie until I was in college, a year or two later. Loved reading the story again and the illustrations are great!

[Molly Smith]

A fun gift for my son. I read it to him first and now he is reading it like a champ. Great for a beginning reader (level 1 or 2). My son is an avid Star Wars fan so beginning books like these are great to help nurture a love of reading.

[Heather Utley]

Don't read this book unless you want to know the entire plot of the movie. Bonus: if you forgot what the movie it's a nice summary. I never really remember why the trash compactor figured in; now I know.