Watch and Read: The Zoo Crew Goes to the Circus: Madagascar 3

Everyone’s favorite castaway critters continue their roundabout and riotously funny journey back to New York City’s Central Park Zoo, in the third installment of a computer-animated comedy series from DreamWorks Animation. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (PG) premieres in theaters on June 8, in both 2D and 3D formats. After mistakenly ending up in Madagascar and then crash-landing in Africa in the first two films, Alex the lion (voiced by Ben Stiller), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer) now find themselves marooned in Monte Carlo along with their friends: the jovial lemur, King Julien (Sacha Baran Cohen), a team of ever-efficient penguins, and others.

Watch and Read: The Zoo Crew Goes to the Circus: Madagascar 3 Their presence has been detected by a group of animal control agents, led by the determined and dastardly Capitaine Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand), and the humans are hot on their tails. The zoo crew seeks refuge in a rundown traveling circus, where they meet a troupe of has-been animal performers led by Vitaly, a proud Russian tiger (Bryan Cranston); Gia, a beautiful jaguar (Jessica Chastain); and Stefano, a fun-loving Italian sea lion (Martin Short). Touring across Europe with their new acquaintances—and trying to keep one step ahead of their pursuers-the always-creative Zoosters help the circus folk revive their passion for performance and ultimately discover their own hidden talents.

Kids can visit the official movie website for video trailers, a plot teaser, and quick click-on introductions to characters both old and new. Downloads include a variety of printable activity sheets (mazes, door hangs, connect the dots, and more), wallpaper, and signatures. Also available are online games such as “Banana Blaster” (players aim banana machine guns and fire at scooter-riding animal control agents) and “Melman’s Memory Game.”

Book Tie-ins

Tie-in tales from Price Stern Sloan are adorned with colorful covers that feature the familia Watch and Read: The Zoo Crew Goes to the Circus: Madagascar 3 r characters, posed with plenty of showmanship and set against warm-hued circus-themed backdrops. On the Run! (2012; K-Gr 3), a “Level 3″ reader, sets the scene by describing how the animals end up in Monte Carlo, attract the attention of animal control agents, and find safe haven with the circus critters. The fast-reading narrative clearly conveys zany plot twists and turns in straightforward language and brief sentences sprinkled with snippets of dialogue. Movie images with colorful borders are presented on every page, supporting the large-size text with visual clues and adding detail and excitement. This volume makes an enjoyable choice for encouraging beginning readers with a bit of experience or sharing aloud with younger Madagascar devotees.

Incorporating crisp descriptions, a well-paced narrative, and humorous touches, Madagascar 3: The Novel (Price Stern Sloan, 2012; Gr 3-6) provides a delightfully madcap recap of the movie’s plot, appropriate for perusal by independent readers and sharing aloud. Rapid-fire dialogue and funny one-liners are smoothly integrated into the narrative, which does a good job of transitioning between and juggling the story’s numerous settings and whirlwind plot elements. Each chapter begins with a silhouette of Gloria gracefully balanced on a ball and holding an umbrella, and the book ends with a black-and-white image of the animal characters precariously posed in an elaborate pyramid. Eight full-color pages showcase the major players on striking circus-style posters.

Watch and Read: The Zoo Crew Goes to the Circus: Madagascar 3 Older movie viewers and youngsters with an interest in animation and the movie-making process will be mesmerized by The Art of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012; Gr 5 Up), a handsomely illustrated volume from Insight Editions. Packed with insightful commentary from the film’s creative staff, the well-written text emphasizes the challenges of translating these familiar characters and the iconic visual design of the series into a fresh installment that features a travelogue of urban settings and panoramic locales, a large cast of new characters (including numerous humans), and a 3D format. Sections delve into the envisioning and creation of the debuting personas, modes of transportation (including the jury-rigged monkey-powered plane and the nostalgic-looking circus train), and myriad locations. A final section explores the creation of a particular film sequence, from conceptualization to finished product, providing a fascinating look at the artistry and mechanics behind the CG animation process as well as the specific jobs performed by the various departments. Ranging in size from small insets to full-bleed spreads, the book is packed with concept sketches, paintings, and other production artwork that trace the development of the film’s visual design. An informative and visually stunning behind-the-scenes journey.

Penguin Power

Watch and Read: The Zoo Crew Goes to the Circus: Madagascar 3 Fans will also appreciate a book tie-in to The Penguins of Madagascar, an animated TV series that airs on Nickelodeon. Set in the zoo, the show stars the can-do penguin crew along with King Julien, his lemur cohorts, and some other animal friends. Elite Strike Force! (Grosset & Dunlap, 2012; K-Gr 3), an easy reader presented in comic book format, relates three adventures, as the penguins grapple with a case of cooties (actually, poison ivy), put up with King Julien’s endless April Fools antics, and try to prevent publication of an ad campaign that might blow their cover. Clearly told and entertaining, the stories unfold in panels that combine boxed narrative, dialogue balloons, and full-color images from the show. The kid-friendly format, lively storytelling, and inviting action-packed artwork will both win over and spur on beginning readers.