Finding Nemo: A Read-Aloud Storybook

Customer reviews:

This book doesn't make any sense., 2007-09-15
I am glad we got this book from a library because now we can give it back. It doesn't make sense. I think they assume that anyone reading the book has seen the movie and can fill in the blanks. But something called a storybook should have a full story.

It starts with a mommy and daddy fish running into a barracuda. On the next page there is only a daddy fish. Obviously, we are supposed to infer that the mommy has been eaten. I guess they thought that saying so would traumatize preschoolers, but you cannot imply things to a preschooler, they won't get it. My four-year-old had no idea what happened. "Where's the mommy fish? Why doesn't it say what happened to the mommy fish?"

It skips back and forth and changes scenes a lot. I have not seen the movie, but I can only guess that they are trying to include references to the best parts, possibly the musical numbers, more than they are trying to follow the plot. Also, the daddy fish is later attacked by sharks then the sharks show up at the end like they're all pals and I have no idea what happened there.

Great adaptation, 2004-01-25
If you're looking for an exact copy of the film, this book is not for you. If you're interested in a folk-art/classic Golden book inspired piece of art this book is definitely for you. Contrary to what a couple of reviewers refer to as substandard illustrations, this book was illustrated by an experienced artist with a great understanding of animation and it saddens me that the Disney company does not give the artist the credit he or she deserves. Like most Disney books, the credit goes to the Disney company not the individual that did the work. My two-year old daughter absolutely loves the movie and she equally enjoys this book. Sure, its a quick read, but we usually read through it a few times in each sitting before we move onto another book. The only complaint I have about this book is it's length. I really would have liked more pages to flip through... just for the artwork.
If you want an exact copy of the film, watch the film. Don't look for it in a book. If you want a simple book to read to your young one and appreciate a nicely illustrated book, give this one a chance. It deserves it.