Raya and the Last Dragon: The Junior Novelization

Disney Classic Collection (Scholastic) #28

by Walt Disney Company

Walt Disney Animation Studios' fantasy-action-adventure, Raya and the Last Dragon, introduces Raya, a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra who teams up with a crew of misfits in her quest to find the last dragon and bring light and unity back to their world. Awkwafina lends her voice to Sisu, the last dragon, who was left in case dark forces return to the world. Exploring themes of community and hope, and inspired by the beautiful and diverse cultures of Southeast Asia, the fantasy-action-adventure Raya and the Last Dragon opens in U.S. theaters on March 12th, 2021. The Deluxe Junior Novelization retells the whole exciting story and includes a poster and eight pages of full-color scenes from the movie in this eye-catching hardcover edition. It's perfect for readers ages 8 to 12!

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Audiobook, Dragons, Picture Books, Fiction

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2021

About the author

Note: The decision was made to consolidate all Disney publications under the name Walt Disney Company. This profile is for Walt Disney, the characters he created, and the company he founded. Any questions, please ask in the Librarian's Group.

Walter Elias “Walt” Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist. Disney is famous for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. As the co-founder (with his brother Roy O. Disney) of Walt Disney Productions, Disney became one of the best-known motion picture producers in the world. The corporation he co-founded, now known as The Walt Disney Company, today has annual revenues of approximately U.S. $35 billion.

Disney is particularly noted for being a film producer and a popular showman, as well as an innovator in animation and theme park design. He and his staff created some of the world's most famous fictional characters including Mickey Mouse, a character for which Disney himself was the original voice. He has been awarded four honorary Academy Awards and has won twenty-two competitive Academy Awards out of fifty-nine nominations, including a record four in one year, giving him more awards and nominations than any other individual. He also won seven Emmy Awards. He is the namesake for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in the United States, as well as the international resorts Tokyo Disney, Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland Hong Kong.

Disney died of lung cancer in Burbank, California, on December 15, 1966. The following year, construction began on Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. His brother Roy Disney inaugurated the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) (commonly referred to as Disney) is the largest media and entertainment conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt Disney and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, the company was reincorporated as Walt Disney Productions in 1929. Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and travel. Taking on its current name in 1986, The Walt Disney Company expanded its existing operations and also started divisions focused upon theatre, radio, publishing, and online media. In addition, it has created new divisions of the company in order to market more mature content than it typically associates with its flagship family-oriented brands.

The company is best known for the products of its film studio, the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, today one of the largest and best-known studios in Hollywood. Disney also owns and operates the ABC broadcast television network; cable television networks such as Disney Channel, ESPN, and ABC Family; publishing, merchandising, and theatre divisions; and owns and licenses 11 theme parks around the world. On January 23, 2006, it was announced that Disney would purchase Pixar in an all-stock transaction worth $7.4 billion. The deal was finalized on May 5. On December 31, 2009, Disney Company acquired the Marvel Entertainment, Inc. for $4.24 billion. The company has been a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average since May 6, 1991. An early and well-known cartoon creation of the company, Mickey Mouse, is the official mascot of The Walt Disney Company.

--from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Теодор Панов · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Рая и последният дракон“ е нова, магична и вълнуваща история, предложена ни от Дисни.
Като концепция и развитие на сюжета донякъде силно ми напомняше на Моана (*Ваяна на бг), а след нея все си мислех, че няма да успеят да направят нещо подобно, с което да я надминат. Но с „Рая и последният дракон“ категорично ме опровергаха.

Историята е забавна, изпълнена с хумор и приключения. А пък Сису (драконът) е разкошно колоритен персонаж. Като цяло и останалите персонажи са на доста добро ниво – Рая, Буун, Тук Тук, Наамари и др. И тук, както в останалите продукции на Дисни, най-добрият приятел и спътник на главния герой отново е животинче.

Книгата преразказва дословно филма, заедно с всяка една от репликите на героите оттам. Филмът пък от своя страна успя да ми хареса невероятно, та затова реших да погледна и тази книга. (Впрочем след „Голата истина за група Жигули“ това е вторият филм за тази година, който ме накара да се заливам от смях в киното 🤣)

Оценка: 4.6 ⭐



P.S. И понеже споменах, че Рая на места ми напомня силно на Моана, ето и едно видео, в което са изброени част от съвпаденията ➡ 12 Times „Raya And The Last Dragon“ Copied „Mulan“ & „Moana“

[Jheelam Nodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

অনুবাদ ভালো হয়েছে৷ অবশ্য কাহিনীটা আগে থেকে জানা ছিলো বলে তেমন নতুন কিছু লাগেনি

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

When i saw this at my local library I had to listen to it. I've listen to audio books before that were for kids and really enjoyed the light-heartedness of it.

This was no exception - the voice acting was good and the characters themselves were full of life and fun.

Plot overview: Raya is a trained warrior of the Kingdoum of Kumandra. Her and her father both protect the magical gem. Her father invites all of their enemies, the other five nations to their kingdom to unite. It is his dream to see all of the five kindgims untied again. However things don't go to plan, one little girl in Fang tricks Raya into showing her the last dragon egg and she steals it. Her father dies and some others turn to stone when the darkness/monsters come back again. Then there goes the start of Raya's adventure.

I love Raya as a character, she is really funny and practical and the water dragon Sisu work well. They both learn things form each other and they develop together.

Since this was such as sort read, I think they still did a really good job at the development of the story and characters. I love how in the end it's all about forgiveness and coming together. Obviously the plot was predictable - it's a children's story - but you still enjoy the journey nevertheless.

Again, would recommend for a really light read.

[Oyinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 209 of 2021

This was such a fun read omg

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upea tarina luottamuksesta ja ennen kaikkea epäluottamuksen ja vihan vaikutuksesta ihmissuhteisiin, eläimiin ja ympäröivään luontoon!

Kirja oli kauniisti kuvitettu ja mielestäni tässä oli aivan erilainen viba muihin Disney-tarinoihin verrattuna.

[Jackie Ruff]

The things I read to meet my good reads goal

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for sleeping. Would listen again.

[Evie Loves · Rating 5 out of 5]

First chapter book to read with my 4 and 2 year old! They loved the movie so they kept up with the book really well. They laughed on parts that were funny they knew what was coming next! We enjoyed it very much!

[Julietta M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a great novelization of a great movie. I enjoyed all of the details. Reading it after I saw the movie really helps with extra understanding.

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023 EDIT:

Reread: No, sorry, not feeling it this time. It starts strong, then it quickly reveals what a rushed comic adaptation it is, with important parts and details from the movie skipped, and the narration boxes more often than not are an intrusion, and they explain the skipped action, and skipped plot and character development, to the readers. Show, don't tell! It's too short, too abridged, not satisfying at all.

I expect better, Disney.

The art is nice, at least.

Final Score: 3/5





Original Review:



A beautifully drawn short comic adaptation of the film. Some key features in the story are notably absent (not to be revealed here due to spoilers), but it's a good story in its own right as well.

Disney's version of 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' is a wonderful female-led tale. The fantasy, the mythology, the culture, the designs of the female characters - including the dragons - are rich and spectacular.

Like it or not, Raya is a Disney Princess, and that doesn't diminish her warrior-adventurer character in any way. Sisu is similar to a female Genie and I am here for it.

Plus, screw Disney - Raya and Namaari are a chaotic love story about redemption, forgiveness, trust, and eventual courting retribution. Everyone can see it, even if Disney refuses to, in their stubborn, cowardly tenacity in queerbaiting and erasure in their films (as I also say in a blogpost: I swear Disney is actively trying to erase any hint of queer subtext in their films at this point. Why do I keep giving them money? Why does anyone? Their overall behaviour has been appalling this past year). And heaven help us all, they are continuing to take over and own everything in film and TV culture.

We can only hope that 'Raya and the Last Dragon' will represent a step, no matter how small, towards a worldwide shifting change. This can be achieved on a grand scale when initiated by the biggest company on earth. Until then, we will have to take whatever crumbs of representation we can scavenge.

Final Score: 4/5

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book by chance -- I didn't know that one was being published in tandem with the movie's release -- and was so excited to read it, not least of which because one of the screenwriters is Malaysian.... and well... it has dragons!

I'm not much for watching movies (short viewing attention span and all that), but after finishing this book, I just had to. And because I knew how the plot was going to unfold, I was able to notice the many creative and subtle touches that was the embodiment of Southeast Asia embedded within the movie.

This is a novelization of a Disney movie, so one can pretty much expect how conflict and resolution will play out... but with dragons.

Tidbit: If you've seen the actress Awkwafina on screen before, look out for her facial expressions in Sisu, the dragon to which she lends her voice talent. I say that the animators did a brilliant job in rendering a remarkable likeness on the non-dragon features of Sisu.


* Read for The 52 Book Club's 2021 Reading Challenge task: Watch out for dragons!

[ReadingByTheWindow (Taniya) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It feels as if I am reading the script of the book. Well, I have seen Raya 5-6 times already so I have kind of learn the dialogues but with the book, it felt like seeing the movie in words.
Highly recommended
Must read

[Celepom · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know this is for kids, but this isn't a good adaptation of the movie. There's a lot of stuff "missing" and I'm not just talking about scenes. The emotion is missing, there's a lot of narration boxes that tell you what's (supposedly) going on, instead of showing you. The time jumps between panels are too big. If I hadn't seen the movie, I wonder how much of this would be nonsense.

Also the "missing" scenes do the theme of "trust" an even bigger disservice than the movie itself did. It feels like you're being gaslit as your read it. It goes beyond "trust" and instead jumps straight off a cliff into Blind Faith. As a an adult who had her trust broken time and time again as a kid, I dunno how much I'd appreciate being told that it's up to the one who's been wronged to "take the first step," rather than the one who wronged you to work to earn your trust back.

[Sherri A Waskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asome

Asome. Oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof oof pancake potato potatoes.this is for requirement 😀

[Angelique Jordonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great art work for a children book.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I read this graphic novel together!

It is very true to the film and is a fun read rather you've seen the film yet or not!

[Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I like this book because at the start they were Kumandra, then they split and at the end they came back to Kumandra." -Conley, age 8

[Progoti Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

‎Sometimes, the world doesn’t break apart in a day. It breaks when we stop trusting each other...
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‎করোনা-পরবর্তী পৃথিবীর মতো, কুমান্দ্রার ইতিহাসেও আছে ধ্বংসের এক দীর্ঘ দাগ। সে একসময় ছিলো এক ইউটোপিয়া; সাধারণ মানুষের ভাষাতে যাকে বলে স্বপ্নরাজ্য... মানুষ আর ড্রাগনদের মিলেমিশে থাকা এক অপার্থিব ভূমি, যেখানে বৃষ্টি আসতো ড্রাগনের দয়া থেকে আর শান্তি ছিলো স্বাভাবিক বাতাসের মতো। কিন্তু শান্তির স্থানেই সবসময় সবচেয়ে ভয়ঙ্কর বিপর্যয়ের জন্ম হয় আর সেই বিপর্যয় নিয়ে আসে ড্রুনদের আগমন। তারা ভাইরাসের মতো ছড়িয়ে পড়ে, স্পর্শ পেলেই সবকিছুকে পাথরে পরিণত করে। ড্রুন কোনো চরিত্র নয়... এরা প্রতীক; ভয়, অবিশ্বাস, আর স্বার্থপরতার প্রতীক।
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‎ড্রাগনরা লড়াই করে। শেষ পর্যন্ত টিকে থাকে শুধু একজন; নাম সিসুদাতু। তার আত্মত্যাগে এক বিস্ফোরণে ড্রুন নিশ্চিহ্ন হয়, কিন্তু ড্রাগনদের জীবন আর ফিরে আসে না। মানুষ ফিরে পেলেও বিশ্ব হারায় তার কোমলতম রক্ষকদের।
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‎সেখান থেকেই শুরু কুমান্দ্রার পতন... পাঁচটি ভাগে ভেঙে যাওয়া, লেজ-শিরদাঁড়া-নখর-দাঁত-হৃদয়। প্রতিটি রাজ্য নিজের স্বার্থে বন্দী, ঐক্যের ধারণা যেন এক পুরোনো লোকগাথা। আর এই ভাঙনের কেন্দ্রেই লুকানো আছে সেই রহস্যময় রত্ন, ড্রাগন ম্যাজিকের শেষ স্ফুলিঙ্গ!
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‎রত্নটির পাহারায় আছে Chief Benja... শান্ত, বিচক্ষণ, হৃদয় রাজ্যের মহৎ নেতা। তার চরিত্র গল্পে এক ধরনের কোমল দৃঢ়তা এনে দেয়, যেন অন্ধকারে দাঁড়িয়ে থাকা একটি বাতিঘর। কিন্তু যে বাতিঘর যত উজ্জ্বল, ঝড় তাকে তত বেশি আঘাত করে। এই বাতিঘরের আলোয় কুমান্দ্রার বিবর্ণ রাজ্যগুলি শেষবারের মতো ঐক্যবদ্ধ হওয়ার একটি ক্ষীণ সম্ভাবনা দেখে কিন্তু মানুষের সম্মিলিত লোভ ও অবিশ্বাস সেই বাতিঘরকেই গ্রাস করার জন্য প্রস্তুত। বেনজা যখন এক নতুন ভোরের স্বপ্ন দেখেন, তখন সেই স্বপ্নের আড়ালেই লুকিয়ে থাকে ইতিহাসের সবচেয়ে মর্মান্তিক বিশ্বাসঘাতকতা... এর পরের অংশটুকু থেকে স্পয়লার শুরু...
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‎এই গল্পটি আমাদের সামনে নিয়ে আসে হারিয়ে যাওয়া ঐক্য, এবং মানুষের লোভ কীভাবে একটি সভ্যতাকে ধ্বংস করে দিতে পারে! এটি এক বিভক্ত পৃথিবীর গল্প। একটি পৃথিবী, যেখানে মানুষ নিজের ভয়ের কাছে আত্মসমর্পণ করেছে, আর ঐক্যের পরিবর্তে বেছে নিয়েছে সন্দেহ।
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‎বই: রায়া এন্ড দ্য লাস্ট ড্রাগন
‎জনরা: ফ্যান্টাসি
পেইজ: ১৪৪
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[Santosh Thapa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Asoj 4, 2078, Monday

Raya and the Last Dragon: The Junior Novelization (Disney Raya and the Last Dragon) - Tenny Nellson (Random House Disney) (2021)

Genres:‌ Fantasy/ Middle Grade/ Novelization
Pages:‌ ‌144
Rating:‌ ‌7/10‌ ‌
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Themes:‌ Trust and Betrayal / Pandemic Loss/ Unity/ Political Reconciliation
‌
Opener:‌ ‌
“Long ago, before our time, there was a land called Kumandra, where humans lived alongside water dragons. The dragons brought water, rain, and peace to the land to help it flourish. And the humans lived in harmony, caring for one another. Life in Kumandra was paradise.”

Summary:‌ ‌
Raya, a warrior, sets out to track down Sisu, a dragon, who transferred all her powers into a magical gem which is now scattered all over the kingdom of Kumandra, dividing its people.

Verdict:‌
The movie was visually stunning, although the story was a bit derivative, reminding you of another extremely beloved something, the last of something, but not as good. So it goes without saying that the story doesn’t get too many originality points. Where the story shines is in its varied supporting cast. A con baby and her resourceful ongi companions, a brute with the soul of a poet, an overgrown armadillo, a shrimp cooking kid and a shape-shifting aloof dragon. The protagonist is a bore, though, hence her portRAYAl suffers too and not to mention the betRAYAl feels tacky too. The book rides well on the undercurrents of the themes of trust and unity and political reconciliation. It is evident that the author/ adapter Tenny Nellson put a lot of effort into making this book, hence it pains me to see that she is not even mentioned here on Goodreads. She does a commendable job of uplifting this so-so story through breezy, enjoyable writing.

[AFROZA CHOITY · Rating 4 out of 5]

#কাহিনী_সংক্ষেপ
কুমান্দ্রা রাজ্যে মানুষ আর ড্রাগন মিলেমিশে সুখে শান্তিতে বসবাস করতো। এমন সময় ভয়ংকর এক ভাইরাস ড্রুন এর কবলে পড়ে ড্রাগন আর মানুষ পাথর হয়ে যায়। এক এক করতে করতে সব ড্রাগন পাথর হয়ে গেল। একমাত্র ড্রাগন সিসুদাতু শুধু বেঁচে র‌ইলো । সে তার সমস্ত শক্তি একটা উজ্জ্বল নীলরঙা পাথরে। পাহাড়ের চূড়ায় উঠে গিয়ে ঘটালো এক বিষ্ফোরণ। সে বিষ্ফোরণে সব ড্রুন নিশ্চিহ্ন হয়ে গেল।
ড্রুন নিশ্চিহ্ন হয়ে গেলে কুমান্দ্রা ভাগ হয়ে গেল পাঁচটি রাজ্যে। আর নীল পাথর রয়ে গেল হার্ট রাজ্যের কাছে।
হার্ট রাজ্যের চীফ বেঞ্জা দায়িত্বে আছে রত্নের পাহারায়। তার পরে দ্বায়িত পালন করবে রাজকুমারী রায়া। বেঞ্জা চাইলো সবগুলো রাজ্যের ভেদাভেদ ভুলে আবার এক কুমান্দ্রা গঠন করতে। সে পাঁচ রাজ্যের সরদারকে আমন্ত্রণ করলো। সবাই একত্রে জড়ো হলো হার্ট রাজ্যে। তখন ফ্যাং এর রাজকুমারী নামারি রায়ার সাথে বিশ্বাসঘাতকতা করে নীল পাথরের দখল নিতে চাইলে নিজেদের মধ্যে যুদ্ধ বেধে যায় আর নীল পাথর পাঁচ টুকরো হয়ে ভেঙে যায়। তখনই আবার ড্রুন ভাইরাস জেগে উঠে সব ধ্বংস করা শুরু করে। পাঁচ রাজ্যের সরদার রত্নের পাঁচ টুকরো হাতিয়ে নেয় ড্রুনদের থেকে নিজেকে রক্ষা করতে।
সব হারিয়ে রায়া নেমে পড়লো পথে। সকল নদীতে অভিযান চালিয়ে খুঁজে বের করতে সিসুদাতুকে। অবশেষে সে খুঁজে বের করলো সিসুদাতুকে। সিসুদাতুকে নিয়ে বেরিয়ে পড়লো পাথরের সব টুকরোগুলো একত্র করতে। চলার পথে মিলে গেল অদ্ভুত কিছু বন্ধু। তারা কি পারবে সব বাধা পেরিয়ে রত্নের টুকরোগুলো একত্র করতে? সবাই আবার ফিরিয়ে আনতে? ড্রুনদের কে নিশ্চিহ্ন করতে??

#পাঠ_প্রতিক্রিয়া
ছোট্ট করে বলতে গেলে দারুন একটা ব‌ই। খুবই সাবলীল ভাবে কাহিনী সামনের দিকে এগিয়েছে। এক বসায় শেষ করার মতো ব‌ই। ব‌ইটি বিশেষ করে ছোটদের জন্য হলেও বড়রা পড়েও হতাশ হবে না। প্রতিটা চরিত্র সুন্দরভাবে ফুটিয়ে তোলা হয়েছে।
অনুবাদ‌ও সহজ সাবলীল। তেমন একটা বানান ভুল চোখে পড়েনি।

[Centauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think because this story is a kid's tale I will be criticized for judging too harshly. I so want this tale to be rewritten as young adult fiction, or adult fiction.
This fantasy tale has trust being a core theme, along with friendship and not categorizing people based on stereotypes. All are good themes children should learn, but I do not feel the writer really made the point. It was too "it all works out in the end" without there really being a character arc to prove the strength of friendship and trust. It was treated like a light switch.
But I really enjoyed this story and what it said about humanity lacking the "magic of hope and the belief in others" That was done well. Action sequences were nice and playful and fast and fun. I would love to read more about the styles and what not.
Okay, again, it is hard to rate a book crafted for a young mind.
If you have young children, make them read this. They'll find lots to enjoy and chat to you about. In the meantime, lets start a petition to get an adult version of the story written, so we can embrace ourselves into the character arc hinted at in here, along with the history and lore of this land and its people. This book made me want more of Kumandra

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the movie this book is based on, it did not translate well to the page. Or maybe it's just that this particular novelization of it was not written very well, but at any rate, I felt more like I was reading a very lengthy synopsis of the movie written by someone who didn't really like it very much. It was lacking the quirkiness that made the movie fun, and instead felt like an endless list of "This happened, and then this happened, and then this happened." Pushed through about half of it before I was bored enough to give up. Hopefully some kid will find this in my Little Free Library and get more out of it than I did.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a kid’s book and the writing is so-so, but I needed a feel-good, light read. I’m giving it 4 stars because on a day when my heart feels heavy, this little book was a spark of hope and made me cry.

[elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this with zero expectations because of the age group but this was actually so good. I loved the audiobook. It was short, the characters had distinct voices so I wasn't confused and the plot was simple.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Matthew J. Winbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book just as it is a fantastic film! Loved it!

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really interesting and I really liked

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this an an audiobook. I really enjoyed this, especially since I have not had the chance to watch the movie as of yet. I most certainly will now.

[Dini · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5