Moana

by Laura Hitchcock, Griselda Sastrawinata-Lemay (Illustrator)

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana is a sweeping, CG-animated comedy-adventure about a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest. In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage. They encounter enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds, and ancient folklore. In theaters in late 2016, the film is directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Frog, Aladdin). This Little Golden Book retelling of the movie is perfect for children ages 2 to 5.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Fantasy, Media Tie In, Juvenile, Adventure

24 pages, Hardcover

First published October 4, 2016

Reviews

[ZullyReads]

My lil niece loved it, but I felt like it fell a little flat. I thought it was a different adventure but it was just a movie summary.

[Jon Nakapalau]

This was a big hit with all my family/friends...their kids just loved the book! Little Golden Books sure do bring back lots of good memories. Glad to see them still around. Seems as if there are lots more titles that address diversity and inclusion; think that is a very important point to consider for young readers today.

[Sara Weather]

The art is really good (it should get a comic). The only thing is it's pretty much a summary of movie which is okay. I want to explore more of her world outside the movie.

[Ruchita Mahimkar​]

Moana is always a favorite.

[Lauren]

Condensed version of the movie. Illustrations were beautiful and it was long enough / short enough to capture the attention of a 1.5 year old. Would recommend for tots or kids who are fans of Moana.

[Garrett Pruzinsky]

The book was not better than the movie

[Jocelin]

This is a movie tie-in for the new CG animated Disney movie " Moana". I really liked this book. The story line was simple and peaked my interest for the movie. I knew I was going to see it when it come out but now, I am really eager to see it. I wish the movie could have been hand drawn though. I think hand drawn animation is an art form that is slowly being pushed out as obsolete. It needs to be brought back. I loved the illustrations in the book as well, colorful and lively.
Looking forward to the movie.

[Nicolas]

This a great story and they do a good job styling it like a classic Little Golden Book.

We talk Moana and more in this special episode of the All the Books Show:
https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...

[Jessica (JT)]

Moana is one of my favorite movies so when I was looking for books to give at a baby shower, this one caught my eye right away. It's so cute and follows the story of the movie very well. The illustrations are very well done as well. I think kids of all ages would love this book.

[Pamela Gramlisch]

Perfect

My granddaughter loved this book and it fit so well with the movie. This book is a quick retelling of what was in the movie.

[Karina Erazo]

Love this book!!

[Bryn]

I love Moana.

[Caitlyn G]

this book is soooo cute i love the art and it did a really good job of summing up the movie, i wish other golden disney books had differing styles from the movie versions because i just love

[寿理 宮本]

I picked this up mostly because I didn't already know the story and thought it would be interesting to have a different perspective from "Let's see what they cut out to make it fit the page count." I'm finally reading it since jokes about the live action movie are making their rounds.

Obviously, I can't (yet) grade it for accuracy, but I assume it's pretty close with obvious omissions (fight sequences and so on that pad out movies). As a story in and of itself, it feels a bit... I don't know... distant? Closer to a book report than a story? Like, I vaguely remember The Poky Little Puppy being a little more interactive with the characters—they actually speak to each other and have dialogue—vs. this is entirely "Moana did this, Maui did that" and only one *actually* *spoken* line at a specific key moment. Every other time, the story *describes* what they said vs. letting the characters talk.

I get it, working within certain constraints. It just seems ineffective, that maybe "new" Little Golden Books should either be longer or episodic (for instance, "Young Moana" before she grows up and goes on her journey, or "Moana and Maui find the fishhook"). Maybe I'm the only one who cares about that, though, as a heavy graphic novel reader, since so many of those don't have the arbitrary page count constraints.

Probably good for younger readers who love the movie (either version), though I can't vouch for ones who haven't, since I don't have any of those to test-read the book for review purposes. Oh well.

[Francesca]

Book 2: Moana Little Golden Book by Laura Hitchcock
1. Awards: N/A
2. Grade Level: Pre K - 1
3. Original Summary: If your students loved the movie Moana they’ll love reading about her adventure. This book is a concise retelling of the Disney film Moana.
4. Original Review: I was a bit disappointed there wasn’t anything new added to this book, and it’s a simplified version of the movie. However, I think that helps young readers to follow along.
5. In Class Uses:
1. Students can act out Moana with readers theater, here’s a link:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/P...
2. Math strategy and song in tune to “how far I’ll go” song https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/P...

[cay]

☆☆☆☆☆ 5 stars :)

should this count as a book on my reading challenge? arguably not. but i work at a daycare and read — im not kidding — 10 books aloud in a row just to keep the kids from tearing the room apart. this one went triple platinum with both the girls and the boys, which is saying a lot considering the boys hated frozen and the princess and the frog.

if i had to read 240 pages total to 4 year olds who kept shoving new books in my hands before i even finished the one i was reading, then i get to add a book or two to my reading challenge.

girl math.

my favorite daycare kid says this is a good read so. take her word for it

[Amber Moore]

The pictures in this story are amazing and colorful. The book goes right with the movie story. I like that this book is easy to read so if the students want to read it on their own, they can. I like how the words on the pages have different textures to go along with the story. Some of the words look wavy like the waves. The words go with the words on each page like voyaging in the ocean has a picture of water and ocean on it. I like that the students can see many different characters throughout the story.

[Julia Chen]

In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui, to traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage. They encounter enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds, and ancient folklore.

[Anthony]

Moana of Motunui loved the ocean, and as she grew her grandmother would tell her tales of the demigod Maui who stole the heart of the mother island, Te Fiti. When Moana grew older, she discovered it was her purpose to return the heart back to Te Fiti. She set out on a dangerous quest to restore balance and become a leader and a wayfinder.

[Kimberly]

Beautiful illustrations

[Jessica Nekuda]

Read for a kid at daycare. he loved it. was fun to use voices.

[Kelly Chester]

Super great book

[Glynnis]

One of the best Golden Books, for sure (and one of Little Man's favorite Disney stories).
Love the artwork and length of the story!

[Karen Escobar]

4.5

[Elizabeth]

Moana by Andrea Posner-Sanchez – The picture book version of Moana is still adorable! Happy Reading!

[Daisy Lenelle]

I have read this book twice a day for the last 6 months. It's my daughter's favorite. The illustrations are so beautiful.

[Cherie]

A story of bravery, adventure, and finding yourself despite adversity. An excellent abridged version of the Disney movie.

[Martein Joaquim]

Great movie

[Ashlie]

My daughter is the perfect age for this book. Tells just enough to tell the story and for a toddler to sit through.

[Alayna Eve]

Beautifully written story and illustrations about Moana and her journey with friends.