True story: The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear arrived at my house on release day. That was in May. Just as I do with many of the adult and YA Star Wars releases, I had planned to have a piece written on it to accompany Bria’s review. Obviously, this did not come to pass.
“Why?” you might ask. Why was I unable to get this book read and my thoughts on the page until now? My four-year-old, who sometimes asks to open packages, was the first one to set eyes on the book and he insisted it was his. Never one to deny my little guy an opportunity for reading, I relented (with reservations, which I will elaborate on in a moment). He loves it. It’s been a read-at-bedtime favorite for months, and he hasn’t wanted to let Mom “borrow” it.
It’s only now, with him in kindergarten, that I am able to claim the book for a few hours each day. So if you’re looking for a ringing endorsement—there it is. My kiddo cannot get enough of this book!
I was concerned when he first laid claim to it; It’s marketed as middle-grade, suitable for grades 4-7 (which translates roughly to ages 9-12). And although there have been cases when my son’s reading level has been up to the task of engaging with material meant for older kids, the emotional maturity of a four-year-old and that of a nine-year-old are wildly dissimilar. So I was frightened that he’d be… well… frightened. The title of the book mentions a Forest of FEAR. That alone was enough to give me pause.
When the boy decided he wanted the book read to him instead of reading it by himself, I was still concerned, but knowing there would be a parent between him and anything too intense the story might contain made me plenty willing to share it with him. After all, this is a kid whose great loves in Star Wars are wookiees, droids, and tooka cats, all of which feature prominently on the book’s cover.
It turns out I had nothing to worry about.
The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear is a joy. When read by a parent, it’s a suitable story for even the littlest Jedi.
The story is told with a narrative distance that makes even the most intense sequences easily palatable for little ones and it’s written in such a conversational tone that reading it aloud truly feels like the best possible way to experience the adventure. A warning to parents, though: Chewbacca speaks exclusively in Shyriiwook and, thanks to the unmistakable bold type in which it’s presented, you’re probably going to have to make some challenging vocalizations (I know we did!).
The story itself is engaging without ever getting too frightening—a feat in itself in a forest of fear with inhabitants like Snarlers and Sniffers with hook-hands. It contains everything you’d expect from a Star Wars story: droids, Rebels, the Empire, the Force, Han Solo getting himself into hot water with no discernable way out, the light side, the dark side, aliens both strange and familiar, and a tidy, hopeful ending.
The narrative includes several asides that give the readers insight into parts of the story the characters are unaware of. My son thoroughly enjoyed knowing things Chewie and his companions did not, especially things about the tooka cats the team ostensibly sets out to transport (spoiler: turns out that’s not really what they’re doing!).
There is plenty to enjoy for parents as well. The Emperor’s machinations and the collaboration of the Coruscanti elite in his sinister plans could have been the center of any Star Wars story set in this era. But it was K-2SO who really stole the show for me. His characteristic saltiness underscored the action in every scene. Masquerading as a humble cargo droid, he struggles to dumb himself down in service of his cover identity, a feat which he doesn’t always accomplish– much to the confusion of his comrades (and much to the delight of the parents reading the book aloud).
Their traveling companion, Mayv, has a fully fleshed-out backstory and agenda of her own. Her home culture, the Oktaro, informs both her behavior and her motivations and has spurred conversations around our house as to differing cultural practices here on our own planet. Star Wars as an entry point to intercultural understanding and appreciation is always a plus in my book.
The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear is a read-at-bedtime delight. The story, the language, and the action are absolutely suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids who may be sensitive to intense material. The occasional illustrations are well done and depict the frightening aspects of the story in a cartoonish-enough fashion that they add to the enjoyment without upping the fear factor.
For parents of preschoolers looking for ways to share your love of Star Wars with your littlest ones, I highly, highly recommend picking up The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear—just remember to brush up on your Shyriiwook when you do.
