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The Lion King: The Novelization
Everything the light touches is their kingdom.
When a lion cub named Simba is born, his father, King Mufasa, introduces him to the beautiful Pride Lands he will one day rule.
But when Mufasa is killed unexpectedly, young Simba blames himself. Unable to face his family, he runs away, leaving the Pride Lands under the rule of his evil uncle, Scar. Years later, the young prince must make a choice. Will he take back his homeland or turn his back on the kingdom in its darkest hour?
The classic, beloved characters of The Lion King come to life in an all-new way through a thrilling novelization that retells and expands upon the story Disney fans everywhere know and love.
When a lion cub named Simba is born, his father, King Mufasa, introduces him to the beautiful Pride Lands he will one day rule.
But when Mufasa is killed unexpectedly, young Simba blames himself. Unable to face his family, he runs away, leaving the Pride Lands under the rule of his evil uncle, Scar. Years later, the young prince must make a choice. Will he take back his homeland or turn his back on the kingdom in its darkest hour?
The classic, beloved characters of The Lion King come to life in an all-new way through a thrilling novelization that retells and expands upon the story Disney fans everywhere know and love.
283 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2019
166 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Rudnick
77 books340 followershis is the part I'm always the worst at—talking about myself! So as you've figured out, my name is Elizabeth Rudnick and I'm a young adult author. I'm also a Senior Editor at Disney Press in New York City. I've edited books based on movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Prince of Persia as well as Miley Cyrus's memoir, Miles to Go, which was a New York Times bestseller (imagine if Tweet Heart was too!) and a total blast to work on.
When I'm not working, I live in Connecticut with a big mutt named Jack Dyson (because he has the ability to suck up anything in his way) and have a habit of watching hours of mindless television. I like to think of it as research!
When I'm not working, I live in Connecticut with a big mutt named Jack Dyson (because he has the ability to suck up anything in his way) and have a habit of watching hours of mindless television. I like to think of it as research!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 21, 2020
¡Este fue mi primer libro del Reading Rush 2020! ¿Y qué puedo decir de un libro sobre El Rey León más allá de que es precioso y me dejó con muchísimas ganas de ver la película por billonésima vez?
En realidad es un libro súper sencillo de leer y que retrata muy fielmente la película, ya sea la animada o la live action. No tiene nada de cambios. Es más, es tan fiel al guion de las películas que, a veces, era imposible leer algunas líneas sin escuchar las voces de los personajes en mi cabeza. Algo que, debo admitir, me hizo falta en esta experiencia fueron las canciones que, aunque las estaba escuchando mientras leía, no tenían la misma magia que cuando ves la película y todos los montajes.
En fin, que este es un libro entretenido y que creo que los niños pequeños pueden disfrutar un montón. HAKUNA MATATA!
En realidad es un libro súper sencillo de leer y que retrata muy fielmente la película, ya sea la animada o la live action. No tiene nada de cambios. Es más, es tan fiel al guion de las películas que, a veces, era imposible leer algunas líneas sin escuchar las voces de los personajes en mi cabeza. Algo que, debo admitir, me hizo falta en esta experiencia fueron las canciones que, aunque las estaba escuchando mientras leía, no tenían la misma magia que cuando ves la película y todos los montajes.
En fin, que este es un libro entretenido y que creo que los niños pequeños pueden disfrutar un montón. HAKUNA MATATA!
June 27, 2019
I'm mixed on this.
On one hand it did expand on the story a little and making Nala and Sarabi more bosses than they were in the animated version. Which I didn't think was possible cause they already were bamfs.
Also kind of leading more on Hamlet cause how Scar was really pursing Sarabi.
On the other, it pretty much was a word from word rehatchment of the animated version.
I was sitting here quoting lines before they come up damn it! Also I just wish they dived more into Simba's trauma which like the animated version only snatched the surface..
Scar was still an asshole tho.
Timon and Pamaa felt like they was barely there.
Along with Rafiki and Zazu.
It needed more.
So if the movie is straight up like this, it's going to be mediocre.
Disney is doing all these damn remakes and not even trying to make them feel original and fresh from their animated counterpart( Expect from Cinderella)
So excuse me while I pull out the animated version and watch it. lol
On one hand it did expand on the story a little and making Nala and Sarabi more bosses than they were in the animated version. Which I didn't think was possible cause they already were bamfs.
Also kind of leading more on Hamlet cause how Scar was really pursing Sarabi.
On the other, it pretty much was a word from word rehatchment of the animated version.
I was sitting here quoting lines before they come up damn it! Also I just wish they dived more into Simba's trauma which like the animated version only snatched the surface..
Scar was still an asshole tho.
Timon and Pamaa felt like they was barely there.
Along with Rafiki and Zazu.
It needed more.
So if the movie is straight up like this, it's going to be mediocre.
Disney is doing all these damn remakes and not even trying to make them feel original and fresh from their animated counterpart( Expect from Cinderella)
So excuse me while I pull out the animated version and watch it. lol
June 11, 2019
Much like Aladdin, The Lion King’s “live” action film expands and improves upon the source material. This was a defining film in my younger years, and I could not wait for this film’s release to see how they treated it. Now having read the novelization, I know I will not be disappointed. Disney has been stepping up their game with these junior novelizations as of late and The Lion King is no exception. I only wish it were available in a deluxe hardcover. Regardless, highly recommended for Disney completists.
January 20, 2020
Големите критици на сериозна литература едва ли биха вдъхновени от това книжле, но за фенове на “Цар Лъв” то е изключително сладурски начин да си припомнят отново любимата история.
https://citadelata.com/the-lion-king-...
https://citadelata.com/the-lion-king-...
April 14, 2020
I really enjoyed this read and it had more descriptions in than the movie did.
March 26, 2023
I never saw the movie, so I decided to listen to this to see what the hoopla was all about. I get it! I loved the story and the characters.
December 22, 2024
Bullet review:
+Yes, it's basically just an adaptation of the two movies, but since they're both GOOD movies this is also a good book.
+Some alternative takes on aspects of the story, but I like the new additions.
+It manages to gracefully omit the songs.
+The comic relief is overall less obnoxious and more toned down than in the movie.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
+Yes, it's basically just an adaptation of the two movies, but since they're both GOOD movies this is also a good book.
+Some alternative takes on aspects of the story, but I like the new additions.
+It manages to gracefully omit the songs.
+The comic relief is overall less obnoxious and more toned down than in the movie.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
June 3, 2019
Ah! I love this! So thankful Disney Books sent us an ARC for review. This is such a perfect way to share the magic with my kiddos before the live action movie releases later in the summer! We are enjoying reading this together and refreshing ourselves on the Kingdom of the The Lion King!
May 26, 2020
Ugh. I always have and always will love The Lion King.
I adored the new version like I did the original. I cried like a baby, AGAIN. Every. single. Time. This book is no different. It so accurately describes everything in the movie, and even gives the music/song concept a nudge too. Did I hear "it's the ciiirrrcllleeee of liiiifeeeeee" in my head as soon as I started reading? Why yes I did. Would it be odd to read it in those parts if you haven't seen either movie? I think so. I mean, it would be OK, but just not the same. It is an excellent way to live this family favourite over and over again.
This is a wonderful way for kids (or big kids) to pick up right where their imagination left off. There are some slight alterations to the original movie, and personally..I'm fine with them.
"Hakuna matata"
I adored the new version like I did the original. I cried like a baby, AGAIN. Every. single. Time. This book is no different. It so accurately describes everything in the movie, and even gives the music/song concept a nudge too. Did I hear "it's the ciiirrrcllleeee of liiiifeeeeee" in my head as soon as I started reading? Why yes I did. Would it be odd to read it in those parts if you haven't seen either movie? I think so. I mean, it would be OK, but just not the same. It is an excellent way to live this family favourite over and over again.
This is a wonderful way for kids (or big kids) to pick up right where their imagination left off. There are some slight alterations to the original movie, and personally..I'm fine with them.
"Hakuna matata"
December 8, 2021
Just like the movie, good story. However,the whole book felt like a pice of creative writing done in an English lesson. Idk why. I’ll forgive them for putting the movie character as the book cover because the movie came first.
Also I love the pattern on the pages when you start a new chapter. No more extra detail then the movie and the quotes just weren’t as impressive in the book. Still it was a good read. And this book was probably aimed at a younger audience then me (16) which is why it was slightly underwhelming.
Ps. why doesn’t goodreads have the option for half stars?
“To change to future.” He said. “You gotta put the past behind you”
Also I love the pattern on the pages when you start a new chapter. No more extra detail then the movie and the quotes just weren’t as impressive in the book. Still it was a good read. And this book was probably aimed at a younger audience then me (16) which is why it was slightly underwhelming.
Ps. why doesn’t goodreads have the option for half stars?
“To change to future.” He said. “You gotta put the past behind you”
October 12, 2020
Let me prefix this review by saying, I'm a huge Lion King fan.
To see a fully written novel, I was excited. I had high hopes. And as much as it's hard to make The Lion King a bad story, this book (for me) fell woefully short.
Pivotal scenes were missed out of this retelling, and the retelling itself was made all the more baffling by the author not knowing the audience she was writing to - one moment it was a kids novel, the next she was throwing in more sophisticated language, which stuck out like a sore thumb. Also, I know that there are only so many ways to write something, but I must have read the phrase "passed gas" 6 times in the last 5 chapters - something completely un-needed in the final scene of the book.
Silly little bugs: the author switched between typing Pumbaa and Pumba (maybe just an editorial problem), the ending mentions that Simba has a son - which, while true to the original kids books, falls short of the cinematic pieces that were created; there was also a lack of Rafiki in the novel - no scene of him realising Simba was alive, no mention of his fight with the hyenas... the whole thing just seemed rushed in the latter part of the novel.
I wish it was better, but honestly, the 3*s I have given are just done so on the pure merit of the story itself. Unfortunately this novel just didn't do that story justice, in my opinion.
To see a fully written novel, I was excited. I had high hopes. And as much as it's hard to make The Lion King a bad story, this book (for me) fell woefully short.
Pivotal scenes were missed out of this retelling, and the retelling itself was made all the more baffling by the author not knowing the audience she was writing to - one moment it was a kids novel, the next she was throwing in more sophisticated language, which stuck out like a sore thumb. Also, I know that there are only so many ways to write something, but I must have read the phrase "passed gas" 6 times in the last 5 chapters - something completely un-needed in the final scene of the book.
Silly little bugs: the author switched between typing Pumbaa and Pumba (maybe just an editorial problem), the ending mentions that Simba has a son - which, while true to the original kids books, falls short of the cinematic pieces that were created; there was also a lack of Rafiki in the novel - no scene of him realising Simba was alive, no mention of his fight with the hyenas... the whole thing just seemed rushed in the latter part of the novel.
I wish it was better, but honestly, the 3*s I have given are just done so on the pure merit of the story itself. Unfortunately this novel just didn't do that story justice, in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2019
This book was so nostalgic! It brought all my childhood feelings and memories back to light!
It practically follows the story we all know and love, with just a few modifications here and there, like some new scenes to give more deepness and background to the story and characters, and, of course, a few new characters as well!
Loved to read the story I watched so many times on tape while growing up, it was as if I was back in my old room, laying on my bed, watching Simba, Timon and Pumba singing "Hakuna Matata"!
The book doesn't have the lyrics of the songs, but their so present and vivid on their scenes, it's like the soundtrack is playing in the background while you read it!
Loved this memory lane journey and Elizabeth Rudnick is great at giving us just that!
I'm even considering getting the rest of her Disney novels!
So, if you're like me, an eternal nostalgic for childhood memories and Disney movies, this is the right book for you!
It practically follows the story we all know and love, with just a few modifications here and there, like some new scenes to give more deepness and background to the story and characters, and, of course, a few new characters as well!
Loved to read the story I watched so many times on tape while growing up, it was as if I was back in my old room, laying on my bed, watching Simba, Timon and Pumba singing "Hakuna Matata"!
The book doesn't have the lyrics of the songs, but their so present and vivid on their scenes, it's like the soundtrack is playing in the background while you read it!
Loved this memory lane journey and Elizabeth Rudnick is great at giving us just that!
I'm even considering getting the rest of her Disney novels!
So, if you're like me, an eternal nostalgic for childhood memories and Disney movies, this is the right book for you!
November 27, 2024
"'Hey kid. What's eatin' ya?' Before Simba could even answer, Timon piped up, 'Nothing.' He said, 'he's the top of the food chain!'"
"I'm only brave when I have to be, Simba."
"'Your son is awake.' She said. Her voice thick with sleep. Beside her, Mufasa shook his head. Giving Simba a ride in the process. 'Before sunrise, he's your son."
"While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give."
"'It's a pleasure to meet you, Nala.' Pumba went on, ignoring his friend. 'Don't say meat.' Timon shouted. 'She's looking at you like a full rack of ribs.'"
"A true king's power is his compassion."
"The past was in the past. Timon and Pumba were right about that. Now, it was time to look to the future."
"You must remember who you are. Mufasa said. The one true king."
"I'm only brave when I have to be, Simba."
"'Your son is awake.' She said. Her voice thick with sleep. Beside her, Mufasa shook his head. Giving Simba a ride in the process. 'Before sunrise, he's your son."
"While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give."
"'It's a pleasure to meet you, Nala.' Pumba went on, ignoring his friend. 'Don't say meat.' Timon shouted. 'She's looking at you like a full rack of ribs.'"
"A true king's power is his compassion."
"The past was in the past. Timon and Pumba were right about that. Now, it was time to look to the future."
"You must remember who you are. Mufasa said. The one true king."
November 3, 2020
My children and I L♡O♡V♡E "The Lion King".
July 21, 2020
Tengo que confesar que la idea de leer este libro para el Reading Rush se la copió a Isa Cantos del canal de Youtube "Crónicas de una Merodeadora" ya que suelo leer los libros antes de ver la película y no encontraba ningún libro que se aplicara en esa consigna, así que por eso lo leí, elegí que fuese el primero porque me parece que era el más ligero para empezar y efectivamente así fue. No sé qué les puedo decir sobre un libro que es exactamente la película del Rey León, fue demasiado lindo y aunque me vi el live action el domingo con mi hermano, me dieron ganas de volver a ver la película. I'm a Disney girl.
El lenguaje es totalmente sencillo y fácil de leer, como les dije es una transcripción en narrativa de la película, tanto de la animada como del live action. No esperen ningún plot twist porque no los hay. No sé si era porque justo me vi la película el fin de semana pero tenía tan presentes unos diálogos que ni siquiera me hacía falta leer porque ya sabía lo que iban a decir, podía escuchar claramente las voces de los personajes en mi cabeza (el doblaje latino, claro está). Creo que hubiese disfrutado mucho más de esta lectura si hubiese escuchado las canciones pero lo leí en la madrugada y por cosas del destino estoy durmiendo en la misma habitación que mi mamá y mi hermano menor, así que no podía poner la música y el celular estaba descargado. Hablando de la música, yo pensé que en el libro nos encontraríamos con las canciones pero eso no pasó, y fue un poco desilusionante porque yo ya estaba preparada para cantar Hakuna Matata aunque fuese en voz baja.
En resumen, es un libro bien tierno y divertido de leer, yo solo espero que mi hermano aprenda a leer rápido para que pueda disfrutarlo. Y por siempre...
Hakuna Matata, una forma de ser, Hakuna Matata, nada que temer, sin preocuparse es como hay que vivir...
El lenguaje es totalmente sencillo y fácil de leer, como les dije es una transcripción en narrativa de la película, tanto de la animada como del live action. No esperen ningún plot twist porque no los hay. No sé si era porque justo me vi la película el fin de semana pero tenía tan presentes unos diálogos que ni siquiera me hacía falta leer porque ya sabía lo que iban a decir, podía escuchar claramente las voces de los personajes en mi cabeza (el doblaje latino, claro está). Creo que hubiese disfrutado mucho más de esta lectura si hubiese escuchado las canciones pero lo leí en la madrugada y por cosas del destino estoy durmiendo en la misma habitación que mi mamá y mi hermano menor, así que no podía poner la música y el celular estaba descargado. Hablando de la música, yo pensé que en el libro nos encontraríamos con las canciones pero eso no pasó, y fue un poco desilusionante porque yo ya estaba preparada para cantar Hakuna Matata aunque fuese en voz baja.
En resumen, es un libro bien tierno y divertido de leer, yo solo espero que mi hermano aprenda a leer rápido para que pueda disfrutarlo. Y por siempre...
Hakuna Matata, una forma de ser, Hakuna Matata, nada que temer, sin preocuparse es como hay que vivir...
May 13, 2020
หนังสือที่ดัดแปลงจากบทภาพยนตร์
สั้นกระชับ เดินเรื่องรวดเร็วเป็นตอนสั้น ๆ ให้ฟีลเหมือนดูหนัง
อาจจะเพราะว่ารู้เรื่องอยู่แล้ว เลยรู้สึกว่า ไม่มีอะไรให้ว้าว นอกจากคำพูดเท่ ๆ ที่ติดปาก
ตอนจบเหมือนจะง่ายเกินไปหน่อยนึง
การปรับบุคลาธิษฐานมาใช้ในตัวละครที่เป็นสัตว์ ต้องมีข้อกำหนดว่าเอาแค่ไหนถึงจะ "พอเหมาะ"
เนื้อเรื่องไม่ได้ใหม่ แนวกษัตริย์คืนบัลลังค์ แต่ที่แปลกใหม่น่าสนใจเพราะว่าเป็นสิงโต
และสัตว์อื่น ๆ
"Everything the light touches is our kingdom"
While others search for what thay can take, a true king searches for what he can give
Pride rock
Simba looked like he was going to jump out of his skin with excitement.
"Let me tell you something my father told me: 'look at the stars' "
"The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars"
"But I cant see them, dad,"
"Keep looking son, keep looking"
"Timon, its just a little lion and he's so cute"
"Well to change the future you gotta put the past behind you"
Hakuna matata
What
Its mean no worries
Feel so sorry for scar
He almost done it !!
Just a slipped of words
สั้นกระชับ เดินเรื่องรวดเร็วเป็นตอนสั้น ๆ ให้ฟีลเหมือนดูหนัง
อาจจะเพราะว่ารู้เรื่องอยู่แล้ว เลยรู้สึกว่า ไม่มีอะไรให้ว้าว นอกจากคำพูดเท่ ๆ ที่ติดปาก
ตอนจบเหมือนจะง่ายเกินไปหน่อยนึง
การปรับบุคลาธิษฐานมาใช้ในตัวละครที่เป็นสัตว์ ต้องมีข้อกำหนดว่าเอาแค่ไหนถึงจะ "พอเหมาะ"
เนื้อเรื่องไม่ได้ใหม่ แนวกษัตริย์คืนบัลลังค์ แต่ที่แปลกใหม่น่าสนใจเพราะว่าเป็นสิงโต
และสัตว์อื่น ๆ
"Everything the light touches is our kingdom"
While others search for what thay can take, a true king searches for what he can give
Pride rock
Simba looked like he was going to jump out of his skin with excitement.
"Let me tell you something my father told me: 'look at the stars' "
"The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars"
"But I cant see them, dad,"
"Keep looking son, keep looking"
"Timon, its just a little lion and he's so cute"
"Well to change the future you gotta put the past behind you"
Hakuna matata
What
Its mean no worries
Feel so sorry for scar
He almost done it !!
Just a slipped of words
October 21, 2019
3.5*
As one of my favourite Disney movies (the original) the remake just doesnt have the same beats as the original but I can appreciate some of the changes, like a more focus on Simba growing up in the jungle with other animals, which was cool.
The only this I gotta say is in the Epilogue (*Spoilers I guess?* 🤷♀️) It mentiones Simba looking at his "son"?? Like is that supposed to Kion, but then what about Kiara?? Or is this version just not going with the Sequels? Anyone else? Just me? Fair enough, it is just a remake 😅
As one of my favourite Disney movies (the original) the remake just doesnt have the same beats as the original but I can appreciate some of the changes, like a more focus on Simba growing up in the jungle with other animals, which was cool.
The only this I gotta say is in the Epilogue (*Spoilers I guess?* 🤷♀️) It mentiones Simba looking at his "son"?? Like is that supposed to Kion, but then what about Kiara?? Or is this version just not going with the Sequels? Anyone else? Just me? Fair enough, it is just a remake 😅
August 3, 2019
This was a nice short read. Whilst I wasn't a fan of the CGI in the new movie I really liked the story changes. I liked that Nala was a little bit more important and a stronger character in this and I loved that Shenzi was no longer a comic relief, just slightly smarter than her minions but she was actually a boss now. I just wish that we saw more of the hyenas in this because I love hyenas and they are cool characters and cool villains.
April 10, 2020
3.5 out of 5 stars
I feel that is book was very nostalgic, but compared to the animated Lion King movie it just didn't pass what i was looking for. I felt that some of the songs in the movie really connected the story all together, which the book sadly couldn't do. The Lion King story, by it self is amazing but the book isn't! But I enjoyed reading for a whole but it wasn't necessary just a quick read.
I feel that is book was very nostalgic, but compared to the animated Lion King movie it just didn't pass what i was looking for. I felt that some of the songs in the movie really connected the story all together, which the book sadly couldn't do. The Lion King story, by it self is amazing but the book isn't! But I enjoyed reading for a whole but it wasn't necessary just a quick read.
January 26, 2021
Thank you to Scholastic Aus for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed the novelisation of The Lion King. The book and live action movie are not completely the same as the original animation, I struggled with that as The Lion King is a childhood favourite that I know word for word so when Im trying to recite my lines and the book and movie are getting it wrong, it made my eye twitch haha! But despite that, I flew through The Lion King and I enjoyed getting to read the novelisation
I really enjoyed the novelisation of The Lion King. The book and live action movie are not completely the same as the original animation, I struggled with that as The Lion King is a childhood favourite that I know word for word so when Im trying to recite my lines and the book and movie are getting it wrong, it made my eye twitch haha! But despite that, I flew through The Lion King and I enjoyed getting to read the novelisation
August 13, 2019
This novelization of the movie is written in a lyrical and profound way. I loved the exploration of the characters, particularly the expansion of Scar's motivations and the exploration of Simba's childhood and the love he has for his father.
Being blind, I appreciated how Rudnick brought the African Savanna vividly to life throughn her lushly descriptive language. Thoroughly recommended!
Being blind, I appreciated how Rudnick brought the African Savanna vividly to life throughn her lushly descriptive language. Thoroughly recommended!
July 31, 2019
The story, from the movie, is well told. Excellent for readers of about 9 or 10 I should think. I do however think the book would have been much better with some illustrations or pictures from the movie.
September 13, 2020
I love this book I give it a five out of five Stars I live the journey a love it I'm just saying I injoy every page of it even thou part of it was sad I still loved it . I love the mean in this journey.
February 25, 2021
I loved how it was exactly like the animated movie. They made a few changes in the story, especially for Nala and Sarabi. I also liked the more dark twist in the book. We really saw what happend with Simba after the death of Mufasa.
August 30, 2019
Loved this one. Minus the ending being different the movie follows the book really well
October 2, 2019
It's like the Lion King, if you stripped all the heart and soul out of it.
Read with Aria.
Read with Aria.
Read
December 5, 2019Gichinga Mwangi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2020
The movie is better but this time around I saw that really Nala is the real hero!
May 19, 2021
Me gusto bastante aunque admitire que el inicio me parecio algo pesado
June 9, 2021
Love these novelizations... Perfect for bedtime read alouds with my son.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews