Star Wars: The Clone Wars - New BattleFronts: The Visual Guide Book Review

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars - New BattleFronts: The Visual Guide Book Review

About the Book: Follow the action to the new battlefronts of Star Wars: The Clone Wars! Featuring bounty hunters, old and new characters, vehicles, weapons, and high-tech equipment, this visual guide reveals all the unforgettable stories and explosive moments from the first two seasons of the blockbuster TV series. New images, character poses, and exotic worlds will keep young Jedi rapt and reading!

Our Take: We love Star Wars here at the Legion.  Thats no secret.  I mean, who doesn't?  We have two perspectives here...that of the adult fan who has loved the franchise since its inception and that of my 8 year old boy that has a very different perspective on whats cool.   We both agree that this book is cool.

There are so many Star Wars books produced that we choose to not feature all of them.  The newer Clone Wars animated series has breathed new life into the series after the prequels were finished.  There are so many kids that are into Star Wars now strictly thanks to the cartoon.  This book is based on the first two seasons of the Cartoon Network show.

This is a hardcover oversized book with no dust jacket.  It was published by DK, who has a great reputation for fantastic guide books.  This one takes you through scenes, major events and even bios for the major players in the series.  Its well layed out and fun to read.  This one is cool for a collector to put on his shelf and its even better to share with your kids.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Disney Tangled Rapunzel's Amazing Hair Book Review

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Disney Tangled Rapunzel's Amazing Hair Book Review

About the Book: With fun, simple rhymes and vibrant illustrations by Claire Keane, one of the film’s animators, this jacketed picture book focuses on the funny and amazingly unexpected things Rapunzel does with her long golden tresses.


Our Take: Tangled is the latest "princess" effort by Disney animation.  We saw the film with our kids over Thanksgiving and it was phenominal.   The quality brings Disney animation back to the 1990s heyday of films like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast.  This new hardcover book features a nice dustjacket with artwork by Claire Keane.  Her work is featured throughout, rahter than images from the actual film. 

The text by Kiki Thorpe is light and fun with only a sentence or two per page and a dynamic and etherial drawing of Rapunzel on each!  This oversized hardcover book is a beauty and would be wonderful to share with your little princess!


How to Buy: Amazon.com

Two Guys Named Joe Book Review

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Two Guys Named Joe Book Review
About the Book: One Joe was in his 97th year when he died in 2005; the other Joe died the same year at age 45.  Both died before their time. This book explores the interplay between personal creativity and the craft of animation storytelling, as seen through the lives and art of two of its greatest practicioners: Joe Grant and Joe Ranft. 

Our Take: This new hardcover book by Disney Editions sports a great dustjacket that has drawings and sketches from the two subjects of this book...the two Joes...Joe Grant and Joe Ranft.  I consider myself a rather large fan of Disney and I wasn't familiar with these two guys.  They had worked with Disney back in the 1930s and 40s and came back after a lengthly retirement to the modern area of Disney to contribute their creative genius to films like Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story and Cars!

I was very interested by this book.  You get a nice mixture of text and artwork, so it really helps to keep you in the feel of the industry.  There are tons of production and storyboard sketches along with photos.  I learned a lot about these two very interesting guys and the rather significant contributions that they made to Disney.

I thought this would just be another DIsney puff book, but it turns out to be a very interesting and fun read!


How to Buy: Amazon.com

 

Grant and Ranft were unique influences on storytelling at two major studios during important periods in the history of animation. Joe Grant, in fact, straddled two eras. A gifted newspaper caricaturist, he contributed ideas for Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony shorts and classic masterworks, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Dumbo. As Walt Disney’s confidant, Grant played a leading role in defining Disney’s pioneering animation legacy. After a forty-year hiatus, he returned to the studio in his 81st year, his creative spirit and abilities undiminished, and made significant contributions to Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan, and The Lion King, among others.

Joe Ranft built on the traditions of the past forged by Grant and others to become the top animation storyboard artist of his generation for Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Brave Little Toaster, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, James and the Giant Peach, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast, among other films. As one of Pixar’s creative founders and a close friend to John Lasseter, Ranft had a major influence on the studio’s signature originality, warmth and irreverent humor, through his contributions to Toy Story (1 & 2), A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., and Cars.
                 

Inventive and imaginative, with keen insight into characters, they inspired colleagues and entertained audiences around the world.  Although their combined careers span the Golden Age of traditional animation beginning in the 1930s at The Walt Disney Company and continuing into the present digital age at Pixar Animation Studios, their extraordinary contributions remain largely unknown to the public. 

This Book Made Me Do It Book Review

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This Book Made Me Do It Book Review

About the Book: Brush up on your know-how by doing, making, and exploring just about everything! Activities come in all shapes and sizes, and this book shows you an incredible variety of them, from panning for gold to doing the Moonwalk. Ever wanted to fold origami, tie-dye a T-shirt, or slam-dunk a basketball like a pro? Interested in creating a homemade bird feeder or a flashlight that runs on candy? This Book Made Me Do It shows you how to do all of this and more! Perfect for budding artists, scientists, sports stars, and chefs, these step-by-step projects will provide hours of educational fun, whether you're looking for a long-term hobby, or just a way to spend a rainy day.


Our Take: I'm always looking for something cool and different to do with my kids.  This new DK book 'This Book Made Me Do It' has some original ideas in it.   It gives you everything from some magic tricks to various projects and creations that you can do.  This one is great for a rainy day and can be cool for kids from ages 8 all the way through teenagers.   Definately recommend it.


How to Buy: Amazon.com

The Art of Tron Legacy Book Review

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The Art of Tron Legacy Book Review

About the Book: The160-page high-end book, The Art of Tron: Legacy takes fans inside the art and design of the upcoming film Tron: Legacy. The book will showcase beautiful concept illustrations, set designs, character bios, images from the film, and an afterword by the film's director, Joseph Kosinski. The landscape trim format, striking jacket image and a color treatment made specifically to bring the world of Tron to life, make this stunning addition to anyone's collection.


Our Take: Tron is one of those groundbreaking films that really put its mark on cinema.  When they announced Tron: Legacy I was skeptical about whether it would really be relevant.  Then, I saw the trailer in the theater and I was sold!  Hundreds of millions of dollars later film audiences agree!

This nice hardcover book has a dust jacket with a Tron Light Cycle on it.  These art books can tend to be kinda crapy at times.  This one is actually pretty cool.  The development artwork is really fun to see.  Most of it is computer generated, although you do get a few actual drawings.  If you're a fan of Tron then this book will definately do it for you.  Its a lot of fun.


How to Buy: Amazon.com

Walt Disney Animation Studios - The Archive Series: Design Book Review

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Walt Disney Animation Studios - The Archive Series: Design Book Review
About the Book: Whether it consists of quick sketches on a lunch counter napkin, elaborate paintings in oils or watercolors, or dazzling computer renderings, the unparalleled creative process of Disney artists is lavishly showcased in Design, the third volume of The Walt Disney Animation Studios - The Archive Series. Among the incredible talents featured in this volume are Albert Hurter, Ferdinand Horvath, Joe Grant, Maurice Noble, Gustaf Tenggren, Tyrus Wong, Kay Nielsen, David Hall, Mel Shaw, Mary Blair, Bianca Majolie, Yale Gracey, Eyvind Earle, Walt Peregoy, Ken Anderson, James Coleman, Jean Gillmore, Rowland Wilson, Glen Keane, Chris Sanders, Andreas Deja, Mike Gabriel, Mike Giaimo, Hans Bacher, Chen Yi Chang, Paul Felix, Aaron Blaise, Ian Gooding, and John Musker. Design represents a rare opportunity to again enjoy a glimpse into the truly spectacular trove of treasures from the Walt Disney Animation Research Library.


Our Take: I'm a huge fan of animation and as an artist I'm always into seeing development art.  Disney has been doing this archive series of books.  This time around its titled DESIGN.  This hardcover book is in the same style as the previous STORY and ANIMATION books.  This one has a nice deep purple binding.

The book is FULL of color paintings and sketches from the production of such famous Disney films as Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, the Lion King, Snow White and more!   Its really fun to get a behind the scenes look at what goes into the design of a Disney animated feature.  There are a lot of painted backround scenes and even some different takes on characters like the Beast and Belle that were never utilized.  Anyone that is a fan of Disney will really dig this book.  We highly recommend it.


How to Buy: Amazon.com

Winnie The Pooh: Reflections in the Wood Book Review

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Winnie The Pooh: Reflections in the Wood Book Review

About the Book: Since he sprang from the creative mind of A. A. Milne in 1926, Winnie the Pooh has been cherished by children and adults alike. Stuffed with fluff, constantly craving honey, and fiercely loyal to his friends, Pooh is endearing and loveable--even though he isn't the brightest of bears. And perhaps in spite of his fuzzy foibles, Pooh's pearls of wisdom are that much more universal and heartwarming.

This beautiful coffee table book will showcase Winnie the Pooh and all of his friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood in a sophisticated, deluxe format. Four stories about the silly old bear are accompanied by gorgeous, full-color artwork. Interspersed throughout the stories are poems, quotes, and “Pooh-isms," making this a wonderful gift for any Pooh fan.


Our Take: The Winnie the Pooh characters have been beloved for decades.  The original books by A.A. Milne were phenominal and once Disney bought the rights to the characters and redesigned them the franchise took off with full steam spawning original films oodles of merchandise and even a Saturday morning cartoon.

This new book, Winnie The Pooh: Reflections in the Wood, is a fantastic hardcover book from Disney Editions, which produces high-end Disney collector books.  The dust jacket features drawings of the contemporary Disney version of the characters.  Inside we get a fine selection of stories, poems and all types of Poohisms!  The illustrations are high quality and the stories are fantastic. 

This book is great for any Pooh bear fan.  It would go great in any adults collection or to read to your own kids. 


How to Buy: Amazon.com

The Addams Family: An Evilution Book Review

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The Addams Family: An Evilution Book Review

About the Book: The ‘evilution’ of Charles Addams's singularly eccentric family began long before the television and film interpretations made them icons of American popular culture. Addams first created Morticia, Lurch, and The Thing in a cartoon published in a 1938 issue of the New Yorker—though he hadn't named them at the time, or even conceived of a family unit. (When he did name the deadly matriarch, he was inspired by the Yellow Pages listing for ‘Morticians.’) Other characters were born and developed in a multitude of Addams's cartoons over the next twenty-six years, before the cheerfully creepy clan debuted on ABC television in 1964 and later on the big screen, twice, in 1991 and 1993.

The Addams Family: An Evilution is the first book to trace The Addams Family history, presenting more than 200 cartoons created by Charles Addams (American, 1912-1988) throughout his prolific career; many have never been published before. Text by H. Kevin Miserocchi, director of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation, offers a revealing chronology of each character's evolution (for instance, did you know that Addams originally named Pugsley ‘Pubert’?), while Addams's own incisive character descriptions, originally penned for the benefit of the television show producers, introduce each chapter. As the presence of the Family continues to permeate generation after generation, and in celebration of the Broadway musical debuting in 2010, this book reminds us where these oddly lovable characters came from and, in doing so, offers a lasting tribute to one of America's greatest humorists. A phenomenon of rare proportion, The Addams Family is the manifestation of one artist's dark but irresistible wit, expressed with an uncommonly deft hand. 

224 pages with more than 200 cartoons (approximately 50 are published here for the first time), many in color. Ten chapters explore each Addams Family character, as well as their mansion (a “House To Die For”). Size: 8 x 10 inches. Smyth-sewn casebound book with jacket.

Our Take: The Addams Family are one of the best known and most well loved morbid families.  Everything from the 60s show to the famous 90s movies and cartoons in-between!  They've been action figures, trading cards and candy, but rarely have they been books.  At least not like this!  Lets face it, the Addams Family kicks ass and this new Evilution book is a Addams-fans' dream!  It includes over 200 cartoons from throughout the history of the strip, originally published in the New Yorker back in 1938!  There are even never before published cartoons included!  This hardcover book is a great addition to any fan's library!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Space: A Visual Encyclopedia Book Review

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Space: A Visual Encyclopedia Book Review

About the Book: Incredible space photographs make this one out-of-this world encyclopedia!

Space: A Visual Encyclopedia builds on the enormous success of DK’s best-selling encyclopedias. It is a comprehensive exploration of space from our nearest planets and stars to far-off galaxies. Featuring full-bleed photographs, charts, stories, and interviews, this encyclopedia brings children face-to-face with the wonders of space like never before!.

Our Take: Our two older kids are really into space.  In fact they are so much into space that one of them is really into Star Wars and the other Star Trek.  DK is infamous for making the best guides and visual encyclopedias and their Space book is no exception.

The book covers everything from the birth of the universe to the various planets and articial satellites.  The color images are the latest available from NASA and this book is absolutely perfect for kids 7-12.  Our kids (ages 7 and 8) were able to read the book easily and they were absolutely engaged and fascinated.  They learned so much.  We'll definately keep this one in our home library.  This book would be perfect for any classroom or homeschooler too!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Joe Kubert: How to Draw From Life Book Review

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Joe Kubert: How to Draw From Life Book Review

About the Book: JOE KUBERT!...the legendary Hawkman, Tarzan, Enemy Ace, Batman, Sgt Rock artist and critically acclaimed graphic novelist of Tor, Abraham Stone, Fax From Sarajevo, Sgt Rock, and Yossel. In his new book, JOE KUBERT: How to Draw from Life, designed for more mature art students, professionals and enthusiasts, Kubert presents a wealth of his own drawings from nude models spanning his years as an artist and art instructor. This book is accompanied by Kubert's commentary on drawing from life. Subjects include gesture drawing, contour drawing, the figure in motion, short studies, long studies, drawing women, the figure in perspective, form and structure, anatomy, and lighting. This is surely the most significant How-To book from a major comics creator this year.

Our Take: I'm always looking for great how-to art books.  This one was done by legendary comic book great Joe Kubert.  The book gives some nice tips, but my favorite part was just the sketches by Kubert.  You get everything from pencil angles on the nudes to partially inked and partially watercoloured pieces.  Its really a sight to see these casual works by such a great artist.  I found the book to be very inspiring.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle Book Review

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Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle Book Review

About the Book: From the first release of Star Wars: A New Hope in 1977 to the 2009 second season of The Clone Wars, Star Wars Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle is an unparalleled chronological journey through the making of the most epic science fiction series ever! Featuring incredible illustrations and stills, the book chronologically details the history and development of the Star Wars movies; the events, press, and logistics surrounding the making of each movie; and exclusive interviews with people who worked behind the scenes. The year-by-year format includes images from the movies, TV series, comic books, video games, and novels as well as movie posters, memorabilia, book covers, and more.


Our Take: This book gets our award for best Star Wars book to date.  This hardcover book comes in a really flashy foil side-loading slipcase.  This book comes with two collectible prints, one of which is Star Wars: Clone Wars animated artwork and the other is a vintage photo of Harrison Ford.  


This book chronicles the epic of Star Wars, beginning with the 1960s and early influences on George Lucas to present day.  It goes year by year and gives not only what happened in Star Wars, but also how popular culture was influenced by Star Wars in some way.  The book obviously can only go into so much detail on any one specific issue, but it does include a lot of early production tidbits and stories that we found to be really interesting.  The book has full-color photos and great amounts of info.  


This book has a great presentation and is wonderful for any serious collector or just casual fan and admirer of pop culture.  We highly recommend.


How to Buy: Amazon.com

Frazetta: The Definitive Reference Book Review

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Frazetta: The Definitive Reference Book Review

About the Book: Enter the world of Frank Frazetta--with 400 illustrations 

* The most complete index of Frazetta artwork ever compiled

* Commentary by top Frazetta experts

* Dozens of rare images, including Conan, Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, more!

* Fantastic reference for collectors, artists, and great entertainment for fans

The work of Frank Frazetta, THE greatest fantasy artist of all time, has influenced generations of artists, fans, designers, and movie directors. Now, collected in Frazetta, The Definitive Reference, are essays and illustrated data in a one-of-a-kind volume tracing the entire arc of Frazetta's career with more than 400 of his unforgettable images. From his early 1950s comics, to Tarzan, Pellucidar, and John Carter of Mars book covers; to his 1960s monster mags, Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella; to his major movie posters, including After the Fox and What's New Pussycat; to, of course, his revolutionary Conan paintings--it's all here. Frazetta overflows with fantastic images, insightful commentary, and the most complete index of artwork ever compiled on this fantastic icon.

Our Take: Frank Frazetta is one of the most prolific and legendary fantasy artists of all-time.   You may have seen his work associated with iconic characters like Tarzan and Conan.  This reference book is hands-down the ultimate guide to Frazetta's work.  

This book chronicles every single known appearance of his artwork in the mainstream.  Anywhere from the Chicago Tribune, High Times and National Lampoon to various fantasy novels.  If you're a fan of Frazetta's work and a collector of his art appearances this book is most definately for you.  I've seen a lot of reference guides in my day, but none so complete as this one!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Dc Comics Super Heroes and Villains Fandex Review

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Dc Comics Super Heroes and Villains Fandex Review

About the Book: Celebrate 75 years of DC Comics with an obsessive Fandex Deluxe: a supersized deck of 75 iconic heroes and villains whose power over the popular imagination has never been stronger (think The Dark Knight, last summer's $1 billion blockbuster).

The gang’s all here: Batman, Robin, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Green Lantern, Captain Marvel, Justice League of America, the Flash. So are their nemeses—the Joker, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Lex Luthor, Cheetah, Brainiac, Poison Ivy, Deathstroke. Meticulously researched, with layers of information covering origins, biography, back-stories, affiliations, motivations, weaknesses, and fascinating trivia, the deck adds up to an insider’s history of the DC Universe. And what better way to present it than in the format with super powers—Fandex and its die-cut cards perfectly capture the characters in one dynamic pose after another, with the art taken straight from the pages of the original comics.

From the essential—learn about the Crisis on Infinite Earths—to the improbable—discover how Lex Luthor became President of the United States—to the offbeat—did you know that Clark Kent and Lois Lane lived in a building owned by Wayne (i.e., Batman) Enterprises: it’s a handheld feast for new¬comers and passionate comics fans alike.

Our Take: We love Batman.  We love Dc Comics.  Period.  We get a lot of encyclopedias and ultimate guides on our favorite comic characters, but we don't often get cool little niche books like this.  We recently reviewed the Star Wars fandex and we get more of the same fan goodness from the Dc Comics version.

This index guide basically gives you great full-color artwork of your favorite Dc characters, beginning with a few Batman characters and villains and moving onto the rest of the DC Universe.  The cards each give info about the characters and the backs include some backround on the last 75 years of the Dc Universe.  This is a great collectible for any young adult or adult fan!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Links: Legions Of Gotham

Star Wars: Fandex Review

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Star Wars: Fandex Review

About the Book: Aren't we lucky! Star Wars Fandex Deluxe is a perfect meeting of format and content, bringing all the virtues of Fandex to the supergalactic saga of our times, delivering an obsessive deck for the obsessive fan (and the perfect cheat sheet for parents who want to know what their kids are talking about). Darth Vader. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke Skywalker. Han Solo and Chewbacca, Emperor Palpatine, Padmé Amidala, Darth Sidious, Boba Fett, Qui-Gon Jinn, and, of course, Yoda, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Jabba the Hutt—in die-cut card after die-cut card, Star Wars Fandex Deluxe celebrates the pantheon of immortals from the Star Wars galaxy.

Star Wars Fandex Deluxe is authorized by and written in close collaboration with Lucasfilm. This deluxe title comprises 75 die-cut cards, 50 percent more than standard Fandex, and it includes not only the beloved characters, but also starships, droids, gadgets, and more. And the text is packed with fascinating information. Get to know the other Jedi Knights, like Plo Koon and Shaak Ti. The difference between a clone trooper and a stormtrooper. The architects of the Death Star. Plus the secret of Darth Vader’s paternal lineage, why there can be only two Sith Lords at any given time, and much more. It's the essential Fandex for every Star Wars buff.

Our Take: We enjoy Star Wars here at the Legion.  We're always looking for unique Star Wars product to feature..and the Fandex is definately that!  This cool guide has everything from character profiles to info about the planets and groups like the bounty hunters.  Its a little delicate, so I wouldn't let little ones get their hands on it, but anyone 12 or older should be able to keep it nice.  Its a great piece, very dynamic and original.  We highly recommend.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Star Wars: A Scanimation Book Book Review

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Star Wars: A Scanimation Book Book Review

About the Book: Imagine: the first Star Wars book that actually moves, bringing to life the most memorable scenes from the epic: Obi-Wan battles Darth Maul The Millennium Falcon zooms away from an exploding Death Star Luke rides a galloping Tauntaun, Yoda twirls his green lightsaber, Boba Fett blasts up, up and away! And of course the most memorable scene of all—red and blue lightsabers flashing, Luke and Darth Vader fight the ultimate battle between good and evil.

It’s a marriage made in a galaxy far, far away: phenomenal Scanimation meets Star Wars, the enduring epic that’s sold $42 billion in ticket sales and earned the title #1 Boys Action Toy License of all time. Created by Rufus Butler Seder, Star Wars: A Scanimation Book presents 12 of the most memorable scenes, in a landscape, i.e., movie format. It’s an homage from an artist obsessed with the earliest forms of capturing visual motion to an artist obsessed with the most advanced. But that’s not what young fans will care about—this is having pure movie magic in the palm of your hand, to replay again and again.

Our Take: There are SO many Star Wars books out there that we can't even begin to feature them all....although the nerd in us would love to.  The first thing that strikes me when I see this Scanimation book is the cool silver foil cover.  Each page of this boardbook like structure has a cool exerpt about the scene and the scanimation animated tile,which moves as you turn the page.  Its a really cool and definately unique Star Wars collectible. 

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Tangled: Rapunzel 's Journal: Letting Down My Hair Book Review

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Tangled: Rapunzel 's Journal: Letting Down My Hair Book Review

About the Book: Rapunzel gives readers a glimpse inside her world in this 32-page deluxe storybook with a padded cover. Readers will find hours of entertainment in the color illustrations throughout. Told from Rapunzel's point of view, this title gives readers the richness of a storybook with the call-out elements of a scrapbook. Glittery pages and a gatefold add to the fun.


Our Take: This new hardcover book, based on Disney's latest princess effort "Tangled", is a really fun and unique offering for the little princess in your life.  Lets face it, when a new Disney comes out we're flooded with merchandise, especially books.  Why choose one over the other?  This one I wanted to point out, because its really fun.  It has textures, fold-outs and glitter, what more can you want in a book, right?  The book is basically formatted like Rapunzel's actual journal with cute passages and entries about her life.  The book has drawings, rather than actual pics from the film.  Overall, its a really fun journal and a great deal for the price point, which is only around $10.


How to Buy: Amazon.com