Halloween is right around the corner and Disney has you covered with some spooky books and movies. We recently received some review copies of the 25th anniversary edition of Hocus Pocus and the Nightmare Before Christmas 25th Anniversary Edition which is also a Sing-A-Long Version. We watched Hocus Pocus as a family the other night. I had never seen it before but the rest of the family did. It was funny and fun to see so many actors and actresses that we know from several TV shows and movies now. Especially Binks. Allison is a huge NCIS fan and Sean Murray plays McGee on that show. We see him all the time. It was funny seeing him as a kid actor. Overall we enjoyed seeing the movie and the three witches were pretty funny. I guess I probably should have watched this as a kid, or at least watched it the first time round with the family. They were all sorts of tickled by it the first time they watched. Eva was still into it the second time but Andrew did his Andrew thing when he is no longer interested, plays loudly or talks throughout the movie. I probably should have gotten him a few books to read while we watched the movie, books like those below. Or, I could have downloaded the digital version of the Nightmare before Christmas to see if he’d be more interested in that.
The release of Hocus Pocus the 25th Anniversary coincides with the release of a new book Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel. Hocus Pocus is beloved by Halloween enthusiasts all over the world. Diving once more into the world of witches, this electrifying two-part young adult novel, released on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 1993 film, marks a new era of Hocus Pocus. Fans will be spellbound by a fresh retelling of the original film, followed by the all-new sequel that continues the story with the next generation of Salem teens.
Shortly after moving from California to Salem, Massachusetts, Max Dennison finds himself in hot water when he accidentally releases a coven of witches, the Sanderson sisters, from the afterlife. Max, his sister, and his new friends (human and otherwise) must find a way to stop the witches from carrying out their evil plan and remaining on earth to torment Salem for all eternity.
Twenty-five years later, Max and Allison’s seventeen-year-old daughter, Poppy, finds herself face-to-face with the Sanderson sisters in all their sinister glory. When Halloween celebrations don’t quite go as planned, it’s a race against time as Poppy and her friends fight to save her family and all of Salem from the witches’ latest vile scheme.
Nightmare Before Christmas is one of those movies that has a huge cult following. I saw the movie when it originally came out in theaters. While I never got into the movie as much as other people I enjoyed it for the great special effects. Stop motion in the movie was incredible. When I was at Disneyland last year around this time the Haunted Mansion was taken over by Jack Skellington and the Nightmare Before Christmas characters. The line was insane, so many people love this movie. There are a few books that were released this year to coincide with the 25th anniversary. There is a sing a long book and also a pop up book.
In addition to the two fun Halloween movies we received three Disney Books that have Halloween or spooky themes. the first is a spooky space mystery called Sanity and Tallulah. It was a graphic novel. We received that this Summer and it was a good read. There was some spookiness around the book but also great humor and fun. Plus a three headed kitten that was adorable. The second book was a graphic novel of the book Isle of the Lost. This was the story of The Descendants prior to them going to Auradon. The last book was Willa of the Wood, while not a Halloween movie it was a thrilling story with a mystery. Eva has been reading that one and enjoying it very much. You can pick up any of these books and movies at your local bookstores or Target but you can help us out and buy through our Amazon.com affiliate links below.
Sanity & Tallulah
Written and illustrated by Molly Brooks
On Sale: October 16, 2018
A new middle-grade graphic novel original from Disney, publishing simultaneously in hardcover and trade paperback! Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega are best friends on Wilnick, the dilapidated space station they call home at the end of the galaxy. So naturally, when gifted scientist Sanity uses her lab skills and energy allowance to create a definitely-illegal-but-impossibly-cute three-headed kitten, she has to show Tallulah. But Princess, Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds is a bit of a handful, and it isn’t long before the kitten escapes to wreak havoc on the space station. The girls will have to turn Wilnick upside down to find her, but not before causing the whole place to evacuate! Can they save their home before it’s too late?
Willa of the Wood
by Robert Beatty
On Sale: July 10, 2018
From #1 New York Times best-selling author Robert Beatty comes a thrilling new series set in the magical world of Serafina.
Willa, a young night-spirit of the Great Smoky Mountains, is her clan’s best thief. She creeps into the homes of day-folk under cover of darkness and takes what they won’t miss. It’s dangerous work—the day-folk kill whatever they do not understand–but Willa will do anything to win the approval of the padaran, the charismatic leader of the Faeran people.
When Willa’s curiosity leaves her hurt and stranded in the day world, she calls upon an ancient, unbreakable bond to escape. Only then does she discover the truth: not all day-folk are the same, and the foundations that have guarded the Faeran for eons are under attack.
Isle of the Lost Graphic Novel
by Melissa de la Cruz and Robert Venditti; illustrated by Kat Fajardo
On Sale: September 4, 2018
Book one in the #1 New York Times best-selling Descendants series–now in the wickedly fun, action-packed graphic novel!
Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost–a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world.
Mal learns from her mother, Maleficent, that the key to true darkness, the Dragon’s Eye, is located inside her scepter in the forbidden fortress on the far side of the island. The eye is cursed, and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She’ll just need a little help from her “friends.” In their quest for the Dragon’s Eye, these four kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain’t so bad.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Book & CD
by Disney Book Group
On Sale: July 3, 2018
Just in time for the 25th anniversary, relive the action of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas with this Book and CD, featuring narration and sound effects!
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Pop-Up
by Matthew Reinhart
On Sale: October 2, 2018
Experience Tim Burton’s iconic film like never before with this nightmarish pop-up of monstrous proportions! From the renowned paper engineer Matthew Reinhart comes a mind-blowing retelling of this classic story in gravity-defying pop-up artwork on every page. A celebration marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the groundbreaking movie, this is the perfect item for avid The Nightmare Before Christmas fans, holiday ghouls, and undead merrymakers alike.
Part of Your World: A Twisted Tale
by Liz Braswell
On Sale: September 4, 2018
What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula? It’s been five years since the infamous sea witch defeated the little mermaid… and took King Triton’s life in the process. Ariel is now the voiceless queen of Atlantica, while Ursula runs Prince Eric’s kingdom on land. But when Ariel discovers that her father might still be alive, she finds herself returning to a world–and a prince–she never imagined she would see again.
“Hocus Pocus” 25 th Anniversary Edition
Appears on Digital and Blu-ray™ Sept. 2
“The 25 th Anniversary Edition of “Hocus Pocus” includes the original theatrical film and the We ♥︎ Hocus Pocus: Trivia and Treats Edition, featuring pop up video extras including fun facts, trivia, deleted scenes, cast and crew commentary, and behind-the-scenes secrets”… The Multi-Screen Edition of “Hocus Pocus” includes
a Blu-ray and Digital Code giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” 25 th Anniversary Edition
Arrives on Digital and Blu-ray™ Sept. 2
The new edition audiences to experience “The Nightmare Before Christmas” two different ways: the original, full-length film, in which the holidays collide with chaotic and comical consequences, and all-new sing-along mode, which includes pop-up lyrics to 11 unforgettable songs like “What’s This” and “This Is Halloween.” The Multi-Screen Edition of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” includes a Blu-ray and Digital Code giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices.