This is a storybook that navigates easily through the early trilogy of movies with a surprising amount of detail.

The biggest draw of this book however, is not the story but the illustrations from artist Ralph McQuarrie. To say they are stunning does not do this man justice, they are a revelation. The best illustration is Luke's introduction to Yoda (whose illustrative rendition is striking in what it conveys about the character).

This book does not follow the Star Wars saga in a storytelling manor, instead drawing attention to the illustrations as key points in all three movies (but, the book does follow a linear path through the trilogy, so there is form).

As such, that is one of the things that I did not like about this book. It advertises as "The Adventures of" not, "Key Points in the Movie of." The illustration will probably draw in the younger readers, while older readers will be drawn to both art and info from the text.

The big idea to me is that illustrations can be the starting point for trips to a vast universe. Sometimes they can tell a story that text cannot. ( )