Novelizations based on Disney movies: a good way to motivate and encourage young readers to read novels.


The Lion King. Poster of the 1994 movie and cover of the book novelization
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The Lion King
Don Ferguson, 1994
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff, 1994

In the Pride Lands of Africa, a pride of lions rule over the animal kingdom from Pride Rock. King Mufasa’s and Queen Sarabi’s newborn son, Simba, is presented to the gathering animals by Rafiki the mandrill, the kingdom’s shaman and advisor.


Frozen. Poster of the 2013 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Frozen: The Junior Novelization
Sarah Nathan, 2013
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, 2013

Princess Elsa of Arendelle possesses magical powers that allow her to control and create ice and snow, often using them to play with her younger sister, Anna. After Elsa accidentally injures Anna with her magic, their parents, the King and Queen, take both siblings to a colony of trolls led by Grand Pabbie. The castle gates open to the public and visiting dignitaries for the first time in years.


Zootopia. Poster of the 2016 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Zootopia: Junior Novelization
Suzanne Francis, 2016
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush, 2016

In a world of anthropomorphic mammals, rabbit Judy Hopps from rural Bunnyburrow fulfills her childhood dream of becoming a police officer in urban Zootopia. Bogo reprimands her, but an otter, Mrs. Otterton, enters Bogo’s office pleading for someone to find her husband Emmitt, one of fourteen animals who are missing.


Big Hero 6. Poster of the 2014 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Big Hero 6: The Junior Novelization
Irene Trimble, 2014
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Don Hall, Chris Williams, 2014

Hiro Hamada is a 14-year-old prodigy, a high school graduate, and robotics genius living in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo. He spends much of his free time gambling in robot fights. At the fair, Hiro declines an offer from Alistair Krei, CEO of Krei Tech, to market the microbots, and Callaghan accepts him into the school.


Tangled. Poster of the 2010 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Tangled: The Junior Novelization
Irene Trimble, 2010
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Nathan Greno, Byron Howard, 2010

Long ago, a drop of liquid sunlight sprouts a magical healing flower. For centuries, Mother Gothel has used the flower to retain her youth, and she is angered when soldiers from a nearby kingdom pluck it to heal their ailing and pregnant queen. Shortly afterward, the Queen gives birth to Princess Rapunzel, whose golden hair contains the flower’s healing properties.


Wreck-It Ralph. Poster of the 2012 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Wreck-It Ralph Junior Novelization
Irene Trimble, 2012
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Rich Moore, 2012

When Litwak’s arcade closes at night, the various video game characters leave their normal in-game roles and socialize in a power strip. Wreck-It Ralph, the antagonist of the game Fix-It Felix Jr., is ostracized by its other characters for being the game’s villain, while the titular hero Felix is praised and awarded medals.


Brave. Poster of the 2012 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Brave: The Junior Novelization
Irene Trimble, 2012
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell, 2012

In Medieval Scotland, Princess Merida of the clan Dunbroch is given a bow and arrow by her father, King Fergus, for her sixth birthday to the dismay of her mother, Queen Elinor. Elinor explains that failure to consent to the betrothal could harm Dunbroch, reminding Merida of a legend of a prince whose pride and refusal to follow his father’s wishes destroyed his kingdom.


Maleficent. Poster of the 2014 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Maleficent
Elizabeth Rudnick, 2014
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Robert Stromberg, 2014

Maleficent is a powerful fairy living in the Moors, a magical forest realm bordering a human kingdom. His love is overshadowed by ambition, and as they grow older, the two grow apart and Maleficent becomes protector of the Moors. Devastated by Stefan’s betrayal, Maleficent turns the Moors into a dark kingdom and transforms a raven named Diaval to serve her after saving his life.


Beauty and the Beast. Poster of the 2017 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Beauty and the Beast
Elizabeth Rudnick, 2017
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Bill Condon, 2017

An enchantress disguised as an old beggar woman arrives at a castle during a ball and offers the host, a cruel and selfish prince, a rose in return for shelter from a storm. On Maurice’s way to a convention and lost in the forest, he seeks refuge in the Beast’s castle, but the Beast imprisons him for stealing a rose from his garden as a gift to Belle.


Moana. Poster of the 2016 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Moana: The Junior Novelization
Suzanne Francis, 2016
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall, 2016

On the Polynesian island of Motunui, the inhabitants worship the goddess Te Fiti, who brought life to the ocean using a pounamu stone as her heart and the source of her power. Tui and Sina, Moana’s mother, try to keep her away from the ocean to prepare her to become the island’s chief.


The Lion King. Poster of the 2019 movie and cover of the book novelization
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The Lion King
Centum Books Ltd, 2019
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Jon Favreau, 2019

In the Pride Lands of Africa, a pride of lions rule over the animal kingdom from Pride Rock. Mufasa shows Simba the Pride Lands and explains to him the responsibilities of kingship and the ‘circle of life’, which connects all living things. He tricks Simba and his best friend Nala into exploring a forbidden elephants’ graveyard, where they are attacked by hyenas led by the ruthless Shenzi.


Bolt. Poster of the 2008 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Bolt: The Junior Novelization
Irene Trimble, 2008
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Byron Howard, Chris Williams, 2008

A White Shepherd puppy named Bolt is adopted by a seven-year-old girl named Penny. After a cliffhanger episode causes Bolt to believe Penny has been kidnapped, he escapes from his on-set trailer in Hollywood but knocks himself unconscious in the process and is trapped inside a box of foam peanuts which is shipped to New York City.

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“Awful film adaptations follow novelists for the rest of their lives.”

LIONEL SHRIVER (Writer)