Published: August 25, 2020
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Author: I. M. Rollin
Illustrator: JAKe
Illustrations: 10 full colour
Pages: 22
RRP: £12.99
The synopsis;
Featuring one of the most popular characters from the new Star Wars films, How to Speak Astromech with BB-8 collects 10 essential BB sounds alongside tongue-in-cheek translations and playful illustrations.
Ten droid speak audio clips, translation and conversation tips, and funny illustrated scenarios help readers understand and get the best out of their own droid companion in a galaxy far, far away.
This sound-driven operator’s guide demonstrates the many amazing qualities of the BB-series of astromechs—including bravery, resourcefulness, curiosity, comedy, and more—all through the entertaining adventures of BB-8.
• New insights on a beloved character that will delight Star Wars fans of all ages
• Follows the success of the sound books How to Speak Wookiee and How to Speak Droid with R2-D2
• Packed with inside jokes
• BB-8’s (frankly adorable) ball-droid construction, spherical mobility, handy tool bays, dedication and loyalty to their owners make them great mechanical allies and friends.
• This sound book celebrates the Star Wars droids and all their quirky traits.
• A celebration of the fan favorite BB-8 and fresh fun from the new trilogy and beyond
• A perfect gift for Star Wars fans of all ages
• Add it to the collection of books like Solo: A Star Wars Story Sound Book by Erin Rose Wage, Star Wars: The Force Awakens Flashlight Adventure Book by Phoenix International Publications, and BB-8 on the Run by Drew Daywalt
The review;
There is one word that come to mind when I see one of these “How to Speak…” books: FUN! And the latest addition to the list of releases does not disappoint.
The book is in the same format as all it’s predecessors and is very tactile. The embossed BB-8 model has 10 buttons within a service hatch, but once the battery tab is taken out the fun begins. 10 buttons, 10 different tones or bleeps, whichever you want to call them and yes, I’ll admit it, I tried every single button before even opening it, much to the annoyance of my wife trying to watch TV!
Now, I do need to mention the author, I. M. Rollin. Could this be a pen name? Hmmm, I suspect so! I found this quite amusing but admit I didn’t spot it at first. I do also like the author bio on the last page. There are lost of inside jokes hidden, so see if you can spot them all. You can even expand your Astromech vocabulary even further with the additional phrases in each chapter.
Each chapter highlights a character trait of an astromech, whether that be playful, entertaining or devoted and each has its own illustration. The illustrations throughout are superb, JAKe has really excelled himself with this one. My favourite illustration being the one for Trustworthy. This shows Han Solo playing Sabacc with a myriad of on lookers in Maz’s Castle that harks back to his game with Lando Calrissian in Solo.
All round, this a great book that will be fun for all ages. But be warned, from experience I can say this may become a little annoying to some of your loved ones if the buttons are overused while they’re watching TV!
Availability;
How to Speak Astromech with BB-8 written by I. M. Rollin and illustrated by JAKe was published by Chronicle Books on August 25, 2020. It is available from Amazon in the UK and US, as well as other online retailers and all good bookstores on the high street.
