Wait...WHAT?

I've said it once and I'll say it again...Why rewrite something when the original says it all?  I never could understand having to do book reports where you had to explain the story.  Give your opinion on the story?  Yes, that would make sense.  So I will give you my opinion on this article, and then you can read it for yourself.

I think this is WONDERFUL and I can't wait to read the book.  There - now enjoy this article written by Chuck Lawton.

Wookiee the Chew Is a “Relentlessly Cheerful” Parody Mashup

• By Chuck Lawton
• April 11, 2011  | 

Artist James Hance has made a career out of mashing up our inner geek and shared cultural history. His paintings evoke strong memories of watching Star Wars for the first time, Saturday mornings spent with the Muppets on TV or the adventures of Calvin and Hobbes. His work is smart with lots of attention paid to the source material. And if you have any familiarity with art history, you’ll often find more to love in his imagery. Continuing in his “relentlessly cheerful” tradition, James’ latest collection adds a narrative component that’s truly joyful.
As James describes it, the idea came to him in a dream. Not all at once, mind you, but a spark of what would combine the narrative and artistic style of Winnie the Pooh with Star Wars. That dream first birthed the image at the top of this post and after a lot of positive responses he was convinced to turn the image into a story book. Poring over Pooh books with his friend and co-author, Max Michaels, a basic story was written which allowed the remaining characters James created to live in perfect parody of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Their book is titled Wookiee the Chew – The House at Chew Corner.
In talking about the book, James says, “I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun creating anything. It really feels like it wrote itself in the end. Owl became Owlbi Wan (obviously), dispensing advice to the little biped. R2 became Droidlet, with his little red scarf and nervous disposition. It turned out like the Little Golden Books version of Episode IV, which is exactly what we wanted.”
The book really is a joy to read. I’m familiar enough with Pooh to appreciate the visual style. And Star Wars is a staple of any good geek’s upbringing. There are a lot of little details that come out in dialog or in the imagery that pay homage, and are often a riot to read or see. It’s short, true, but being based on kids’ books, that’s to be expected. It’s appropriate for kids who might also be familiar with the adventures of honey-seeking bears and the Rebel Alliance. And it’s one of those books that parents will love to read as well.
Wookiee the Chew is self-published and can be ordered at James’ site. You can also pick up limited edition prints of the books’ artwork. And while you’re there, be sure to check out the rest of James’ work. There’s plenty there to make you smile.