Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (A Collector’s Classic Board Book) review

“Is this the good Star Wars or the bad Star Wars?”, said the 11-year-old when he saw Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (A Collector’s Classic Board Book). Internally I was hoping that my bias towards certain Star Wars movies hadn’t prejudiced his opinion about the cannon. But then, after thinking about it for a moment I realized that some of those films deserved the negative scrutiny that they received. Then, I remembered that Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (A Collector’s Classic Board Book)  is not intended for audiences who hold debates with themselves questioning the ranking of the films.

Instead, this is a joyous throwback of a board book that speaks to younger audiences. It’s for those board book kids who might be as young as four, or as old as eight. Those older kids will certainly be able to read some of the words and might’ve seen the film, but those ages also might be embarrassed to be seen reading a board book for enjoyment. This is reading via the Muppet lens, which was the first, great example of entertaining on a multi-generational level.

The Muppet Show, the original version on television, was successful because it succeeded in entertaining two levels at the same time. Those younger kids loved the show for the slapstick, quick-paced jokes, and the Muppets. The older viewers loved the show because they could enjoy it with their kids, caught the jokes that operated on a higher level, and the guest hosts.

The art in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (A Collector’s Classic Board Book) is by Al Williamson. His art is synonymous to the comic book incarnation of Star Wars. Even without looking inside this board book, parents will recognize Williamson’s style. They’ll also know the plot points and various stages of the climax, but that won’t matter to me…I mean them.

This is the sort of read-aloud board book that parents will want to read to children. Its classic color scheme will take old-school comic book fans back to the 80s. There are 1,000 shades of black and blue that perfectly echo the darkness of space, the inner folds of Darth Vader’s cape, and the inlays of Han Solo’s trousers.

It also has the quality that those associated with board books from Abrams Appleseed have come to expect. The pages are thick, as they should be with board books, but it’s the interactive elements that take this and it’s ilk to the next level. There are some pages that fold out, some fold up and others fold down. It’s a simple thing, but the effect gives the images on the pages more power or the effect of moving.

When young readers fold one page up they see the top page black, with the streaks of hyper-speed light trailing behind the Millennium Falcon. It appears to be emerging from deep space, yeah, you parents know it’s not moving, but those younger readers with their active imaginations will go mental over it. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (A Collector’s Classic Board Book) sums up the plot in about 130 words in a way that would frustrate George Lucas, but makes those young fans eager for more.

This is a board book with an audience that’s bigger than most because its content is entertaining for any elementary school age. The older elementary ages will look through the book, be able to read all of the words, and marvel at the art. The younger ages will marvel at the art, look forward to seeing the movie, and enjoy the time spent with the person who’s reading it to them.

Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (A Collector’s Classic Board Book)  features art by Al Williamson and is available on Abrams Appleseed, an imprint of Abrams Books.

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