Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar kick off the summer movie season with a computer-animated feature film that blends adventure, elements of folklore and fantasy, and a whole lot of heart. Brave (PG) premieres in theaters on June 22, in traditional and 3D formats. Set in a mythical time in the untamed Scottish Highlands, the story centers around Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), daughter of the boisterous King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and stately Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson).
As unruly as her fiery red curls, the headstrong teen would rather hone her already-sharp sword-fighting and archery skills than practice the finer points of royal etiquette. Determined to control her own destiny, Merida defies tradition—and Queen Elinor—when she boldly flouts a long-held custom and out-shoots the three young men who are competing in an archery contest for her hand in marriage, causing turmoil among the clans and a schism between mother and daughter. When the princess rashly seeks the aid of a mysterious witch (Julie Walters), she unwittingly unleashes a curse that places her family in grave danger. With the help of her mischievous and resourceful triplet brothers, Merida must summon all of her abilities and courage to mend broken bonds and undo the spell before it is too late.
Kids can visit the official website to watch video trailers and preview the film’s fast-paced action, rowdy humor, and lush-hued visual palette. The basic storyline is introduced in a slideshow of elegantly bordered illustrations that evoke medieval tapestries with their stylized images and muted earth tones. Youngsters can click on portraits of the main characters to access full-color movie images and read brief bios (while trying to catch the prank-playing triplets as they make hide-and-seek appearances). A video section presents teasers and tongue-in-cheek commercial spots, and online games include an “Ultimate Target Challenge” that allows users to try their hand at archery.
Book Tie-ins: Picture Books
Appropriate for a variety of reading levels, a lineup of Brave titles are all adorned by fan-grabbing covers featuring the charismatic redheaded heroine front and center. The youngest movie viewers will enjoy the streamlined recounting provided in the “Little Golden Book” version (PreS-Gr 1) of the tale. Sized just right for small hands, the volume’s brisk narrative reads aloud smoothly, and the artwork uses simple lines, flat colors, and clean white backgrounds to keep attention tightly focused on the events. Larger in size and illustrated with detailed, full-bleed images, the “Big Golden Book” retelling (PreS-Gr 4; both Golden Bks./Random House) unwinds at a leisurely pace and includes more plot elements. Whether depicting the outdoor archery contest in sun-lit greens and warm browns, or shrouding the witch’s cottage in shimmery grays and purples, the soft-edged artwork consistently conveys the story’s changing moods and settings. The text’s simple sentences and straightforward vocabulary can be shared aloud or tackled by independent readers. Some of the same enchanting images are presented in Brave: Read-Along Storybook and CD (PreS-Gr 4), a staple-bound paperback edition from Disney Press. Vividly narrated by Nolan North, the audio CD also includes bits of dialogue performed by the movie actors, atmosphere-setting snippets of music, and lively sound effects.
Two picture books explore the passions and pastimes of Brave‘s plucky protagonist. A Friend for Merida (Random House; PreS-Gr 2), a staple-bound paperback, focuses on the affection shared between the girl and her beloved horse as they go adventuring in the misty woods. Sherbet-hued movie-inspired artwork and concise text keep the action moving quickly. In One Perfect Day (Disney Pr.; PreS-Gr 2), an original tale penned by Steve Purcell (the film’s writer and codirector) and illustrated by Matt Nolte (the character art director), Merida describes how she spends a rare day of freedom, exploring the Scottish wilds (“I go where the wind steers me…and I let the world reveal itself”), taking on new challenges, and dreaming of the future. Filled with flowing lines, delicate textures, and bright splashes of color, the artwork offers an appealingly airy interpretation of the animated characters that is well-suited to the story’s theme.
Easy Readers and Chapter Books
Two “Step into Reading” titles from Random House encourage the efforts of emergent readers by showcasing familiar characters and story elements that will strike a chord with film fans. In Big Bear, Little Bear (Step 1; PreS-K), movie moments described in simple sentences are used to emphasize opposites (“The Witch is OLD. Merida is YOUNG”), while A Mother’s Love (Step 2; PreS-Gr 2) recounts the plot’s highlights with brief sentences, basic vocabulary, and frequently repeated sight words. Both narratives are supported by neatly laid-out full-color illustrations that depict the action and provide details to help youngsters decode the text.
Merida‘s Wish (Golden Bks./Random House; Gr 1-4), an easy chapter book, retells the tale from the protagonist’s point of view. Featuring simple vocabulary and succinct sentences, the first-person narrative clearly describes the action while also conveying personality (“I had a foul feeling that anything that could make my mum look so happy was sure to make me miserable…I got the collywobbles then for sure”). Chapters end with moments of suspense, propelling readers forward, and the text is presented in an invitingly open format. The colorful cover image-a close-up of a determined-looking Merida with arrow aimed and ready to fly-is a real grabber, and the full-page black-and-white illustrations interspersed throughout the interior depict important scenes with flair. The Junior Novelization (Random House; Gr 3-6) combines clear writing with lively dialogue to recount the movie’s plot in detail. As Merida’s adventures unfold at rapid pace, the narrative effectively emphasizes themes of mending broken bonds, the importance of family relationships, and discovering the true meaning of courage. Eight pages of captioned full-color movie images are included.
Browsers’ Delight
Packed with full-color film images, Brave: The Essential Guide (DK; K-Gr 4) provides a fun-to-thumb-through look at the characters, settings, and plot elements. Double-page chapters introduce each topic with a brief descriptive paragraph, a variety of captioned images, and insets pointing out additional tidbits. Character entries include quotes, lists of likes and dislikes, and “Did You Know” facts (e.g., “The name Fergus means ‘strong man’”). Kids can explore the ins and outs of Castle DunBroch, read up on local legends, and learn about the tartan colors and symbols worn by the various clans. Playful spreads present a dating-game-style look at Merida’s suitors and a recap of a social gathering turned “Great Hall Brawl.” Colorful plaids and Celtic-inspired borders and designs appear throughout the book’s handsomely laid-out pages. A fun way for youngsters to revisit-and read about-the movie’s themes and highpoints.
Publication Information
REDBANK, Tennant. Brave. illus. by Lori Tyminski. “A Little Golden Bk.” Golden Bks./Random House. 2012. Tr $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2901-6.
RISCO, Elle D., adapt. Brave. illus. by Studio IBOIX, Maria Elena Naggi, & the Disney Storybook Artists. “A Big Golden Bk.” Golden Bks./Random House. 2012. Tr $9.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2918-4.
RICHARDS, Kitty, adapt. Brave: Read-Along Storybook and CD. illus. by the Disney Storybook Artists. Disney Pr. 2012. pap. and audio CD. $6.99. ISBN 978-142313770-2.
TRIMBLE, Irene. Brave: A Friend for Merida. illus. by Massimiliano Narciso, Elsa Chang, & Grace Lee. Random House. 2012. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2904-7.
PURCELL, Steve. Brave: One Perfect Day. illus. by Matt Nolte. Disney Pr. 2012. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-142314361-1.
AMERIKANER, Susan. Brave: Big Bear, Little Bear. illus. by the Disney Storybook Artists. Random House. 2012. PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-8108-3; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2915-3.
LAGONEGRO, Susan. Brave: A Mother’s Love. illus. by Maria Elena Naggi & Studio IBOIX. Random House. 2012. PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-8109-0; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2916-0.
JONES, Jasmine, adapt. Brave: Merida’s Wish. illus. by David Gilson. Random House. 2012. PLB $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-8107-6; pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2914-6.
TRIMBLE, Irene, adapt. Brave: The Junior Novelization. Random House. 2012. pap. $4.99. ISBN 978-0-7364-2912-2.
BAZALDUA, Barbara. Brave: The Essential Guide. DK. 2012. Tr $12.99. ISBN 978-0-7566-9232-2.
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About Joy Fleishhacker
