Howl's Moving Castle Picture Book

Hayao Miyazaki,
Diana Wynne Jones

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love the magic and visuals of the Studio Ghibli movie, this picture book is a real treat! It retells the film with beautiful stills, vibrant colors, and just enough text to follow along, making it perfect to read with kids at bedtime or for fans who want to relive their favorite scenes any time. Whether you're a die-hard Miyazaki/Ghibli collector or introducing a new generation to Sophie and Howl, this book works great as a companion to the movie and doubles as a gorgeous keepsake.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers felt that this adaptation is more like a direct scene-by-scene recap than a true graphic novel. Because it's made up of movie stills with minimal text, it misses out on the animation and music that make the film so special. If you're looking for fresh artwork, more world-building, or a new spin on the story, you might find it a bit underwhelming. The smaller book size and the need to read in manga format (right to left) also tripped up a few readers.

A visually striking companion to the beloved film - best for fans and collectors, but less appealing if you’re looking for original or expanded storytelling.

About:

The 'Howl's Moving Castle Picture Book' is a graphic novel adaptation of the movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki, based on the original book by Diana Wynne Jones. The book follows the story of Sophie, a young woman who is cursed by a witch and transformed into an old lady. She seeks refuge in the moving castle of the enigmatic wizard Howl. The book is praised for its vibrant colors, detailed artwork, and the ability to bring the fantastical world of Howl's castle to life. Some readers appreciate the focus on specific characters like Markl and the intricate details of the castle's interior and exterior.

Despite being a visual adaptation of the movie, the book is noted for its emotional depth, especially in portraying the character of Sophie. The story is described as heartwarming, with themes of loyalty, self-confidence, and hard work shining through. Readers find it enjoyable to revisit the magical world of Howl's Moving Castle through this picture book version, making it a valuable addition to their collection, especially for fans of Miyazaki's work.

Characters:

Characters are well-defined, with Sophie depicted as resilient and loyal, while Howl is portrayed as enigmatic and charming.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is minimalistic, primarily showcasing dialogue and scene descriptions through vibrant images, resembling a graphic novel.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is a retelling of the movie, highlighting magical adventures and character interactions primarily featuring Sophie and Howl.

Setting:

The setting is a vibrant and magical world, emphasizing fantastical elements and richly illustrated scenes.

Pacing:

The pacing closely mirrors the film, proceeding through scenes while prioritizing visual elements over narrative progression.

Notes:

The picture books are retellings of the film using still artwork and speech balloons.

They are suitable for reading to small children as bedtime stories.

The books come in four volumes, each one split into sections of the movie.

They are printed on glossy, heavy-quality pages.

The adaptation is mostly stills from the movie rather than a creative reinterpretation.

Readers can appreciate the details and visuals of the story without the animation or music.

The books are smaller, which sometimes makes it hard to see details in the artwork.

The adaptation features minimal text, making it accessible for both kids and adults.

Howl's character is portrayed with an air of mystery and danger in the beginning.

The print quality is consistently praised as excellent, even if the binding has some complaints.

Several readers prefer the movie for its animated storytelling over the graphic novel format.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present, primarily between characters Sophie and Howl.

From The Publisher:

Add Howl's Moving Castle to this list of must-have movie books. Director Hayao Miyazaki is a master storyteller and his films have all become classics of animation. There's no better way to preserve the magic of Howl and his flying castle than by adding this delightful volume to your home library.

Earlier this year, VIZ Media released The Art of Howl's Moving Castle , a hardbound, prestige format book which exists as an essential companion to Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated classic.

To further complement the movie-going experience, we are now proud to present the Howl's Moving Castle Picture Book , a companion publication wedding scene-by-scene film footage with character dialogue in one handsome volume.

Based on the young-adult novel by British author Diana Wynne Jones, Howl's Moving Castle reflects on a wondrous time when science and magic captured the spirit of 19th century Europe.

The story of Howl's Moving Castle is the story of a young girl who is magically transformed into a 90-year-old woman. Undaunted by this curse, her continuing adventures introduce her to the vainglorious wizard Howl and his curious castlemates.

Two years ago, VIZ Media released a similar book inspired by Spirited Away , the movie which garnered an Academy Award for director Hayao Miyazaki. Another picture book for My Neighbor Totoro is planned for later this year.

Now, add Howl's Moving Castle to this list of must-have movie books. Director Hayao Miyazaki is a master storyteller and his films have all become classics of animation. There's no better way to preserve the magic of Howl and his flying castle than by adding this delightful volume to your home library.

2004

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184 pages

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