News ► Scholastic's Kingdom Hearts: The Official Handbook cover revealed

[Oracle Spockanort]

Back in August 2019, we reported that Scholastic would be publishing an official handbook for the Kingdom Hearts series written by Conor Lloyd. The book was originally set to release early 2020, but last year the date was moved to September 2020. The cover art has been revealed for the official handbook and can be viewed below:

Kingdom Hearts: The Official Handbook
Page Count: 96
Price: $8.99 USD
Release Date: September 1, 2020

A guide to some of the most important characters in the Kingdom Hearts series. Includes fold-out poster!

From Sora and Xehanort to Donald, Goofy, King Mickey, and a wide variety of other characters, this handbook provides an overview on some of the most iconic characters in this incredible gaming franchise. Plus, it comes with a fold-out poster! It's a must-have for fans of the Kingdom Hearts series.

 

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[Oracle Spockanort]

We back at the Scholastic book fair~

 

[OneDandelion]

I bought a handbook by scholastic for Runescape when I was a kid. I'm not sure what I was expecting from it at the time, but if I learned anything from that experience and other scholastic books ive skimmed through over the years its that scholastic loves to make low quality cash grab books they know will sell.

Bottom line is, as you can probably guess by their brand name, the books are written for children. Meaning you won't get new information from this and the information you do get will be watered down so that its easily digestible for children. Definitely not a "must-have" for fans of the series, you'll get better information from the KH wiki. Not to be a downer or anything, if you want to add it to your collection please do, but the "must-have" just irks me the wrong way.

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

It's okay. Not everything has to be tailored for us hard-core adult fans. KH3 was made to appeal to young kids along with old-time fans. It's okay for this book to appeal to kids and be a "must-have". Kids are fans, too.

 

[SweetYetSalty]

I still can't believe the scholastic book fairs are still around. I use to go to them when I was a kid. I feel so old. I must admit I'm curious to see what's inside.

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

I still can't believe the scholastic book fairs are still around. I use to go to them when I was a kid. I feel so old. I must admit I'm curious to see what's inside.

According to my library tech bestie, it is the same as it always has been just with a style change to match the times. At least there is still one constant in this world xD

 

[SweetYetSalty]

According to my library tech bestie, it is the same as it always has been just with a style change to match the times. At least there is still one constant in this world xD

Fascinating. And this book has my interest as well. I know it's for kids but I wanna take a peak into it too. But the question is are the kiddies ready for the insanity that is Kingdom Hearts? Will anyone think of the children when their lives are crushed by the sheer number of multiple Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Xehanorts? Think of the children!

 

[Darkspawn]

I bought a handbook by scholastic for Runescape when I was a kid. I'm not sure what I was expecting from it at the time, but if I learned anything from that experience and other scholastic books ive skimmed through over the years its that scholastic loves to make low quality cash grab books they know will sell.

Bottom line is, as you can probably guess by their brand name, the books are written for children. Meaning you won't get new information from this and the information you do get will be watered down so that its easily digestible for children. Definitely not a "must-have" for fans of the series, you'll get better information from the KH wiki. Not to be a downer or anything, if you want to add it to your collection please do, but the "must-have" just irks me the wrong way.

Calling products like this a “must have” is just a standard marketing cliche. I wouldn’t read that much into it.

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

Fascinating. And this book has my interest as well. I know it's for kids but I wanna take a peak into it too. But the question is are the kiddies ready for the insanity that is Kingdom Hearts? Will anyone think of the children when their lives are crushed by the sheer number of multiple Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Xehanorts? Think of the children!

We were but children when we were crushed by the multitude of Soras and Xehanorts and even Rikus and Kairis. The children must carry this burden as well

 

[Soldier]

Fascinating. And this book has my interest as well. I know it's for kids but I wanna take a peak into it too. But the question is are the kiddies ready for the insanity that is Kingdom Hearts? Will anyone think of the children when their lives are crushed by the sheer number of multiple Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Xehanorts? Think of the children!

Oh I remember the book fair! I used to purchase the model kits and other things like a bug magnifying scope or those animals that grow when you put them in water. The ladies running it used to get so pissed at us for doing that, but when you're young you do that kind of stuff. I remember purchasing a Bakugan handbook for the same price as this one, and was severely disappointed by the quality. Couldn't even get some of the names right. It was also where I got my first KH manga, still have it on my shelf.
As for whether or not the little children are ready for kingdom hearts....... No? I doubt they'd understand the complexities of the game even if it has Disney in it. But I do kind of agree with Spockanort, the torch needs to be passed.

 

[SweetYetSalty]

Oh I remember the book fair! I used to purchase the model kits and other things like a bug magnifying scope or those animals that grow when you put them in water. The ladies running it used to get so pissed at us for doing that, but when you're young you do that kind of stuff. I remember purchasing a Bakugan handbook for the same price as this one, and was severely disappointed by the quality. Couldn't even get some of the names right. It was also where I got my first KH manga, still have it on my shelf.
As for whether or not the little children are ready for kingdom hearts....... No? I doubt they'd understand the complexities of the game even if it has Disney in it. But I do kind of agree with Spockanort, the torch needs to be passed.

I use to get Magic School Bus books from the fair when I was in school. Such good time.

I suppose it is time to pass the torch to the next generation. They will carry the Kingdom Hearts convoluted legacy in their hearts like the rest of us. I hope none open their hearts to darkness when they open the book.

 

[Alpha Baymax]

I endorse this indoctrination of Kingdom Hearts to the innocent minds of Scholastic book collectors.

 

[Soldier]

I use to get Magic School Bus books from the fair when I was in school. Such good time.

I suppose it is time to pass the torch to the next generation. They will carry the Kingdom Hearts convoluted legacy in their hearts like the rest of us. I hope none open their hearts to darkness when they open the book.

Never really saw that much magic school bus from what I remember. A lot of magic treehouse and one-off science books of questionable scientific accuracy, And you know that some of them will fall to darkness. As we've all learned from birth by sleep, light and dark have to exist together. you can't have one without the other.

 

[SweetYetSalty]

Never really saw that much magic school bus from what I remember. A lot of magic treehouse and one-off science books of questionable scientific accuracy, And you know that some of them will fall to darkness. As we've all learned from birth by sleep, light and dark have to exist together. you can't have one without the other.

Won't parents be surprised when their kids buy the books and the next day they all have silver hair, yellow eyes and are spouting 'X-Blade' 'doors' 'VII vs XIII' and 'Heart of all worlds' it's only a matter of time.

 

[MATGSY]

Fascinating. And this book has my interest as well. I know it's for kids but I wanna take a peak into it too. But the question is are the kiddies ready for the insanity that is Kingdom Hearts? Will anyone think of the children when their lives are crushed by the sheer number of multiple Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Xehanorts? Think of the children!

I can think of worse books that I've bought there:

Spoiler Show

 

[Zettaflare]

Ahh, Scholastic book fairs bring me back. Used to buy a whole bunch of Animorph books

Can't wait to see what KH books come after the Handbook

 

[SweetYetSalty]

Ahh, Scholastic book fairs bring me back. Used to buy a whole bunch of Animorph books

Can't wait to see what KH books come after the Handbook

Animorphs! Now that was a classic fave of my too, back in the day with Scholastic. Still have some in my basement on shelves XD

 

[Soldier]

Won't parents be surprised when their kids buy the books and the next day they all have silver hair, yellow eyes and are spouting 'X-Blade' 'doors' 'VII vs XIII' and 'Heart of all worlds' it's only a matter of time.

Well, I ran the numbers a bit and here's what I came up with
40% of parents will consider it just a passing phase,
20% will love the idea because their parents are fans of the series as well (at least in the near future)
20% will fear for their lives
and the remaining 20% will think that their children have been possessed by some interdimensional demon and attempt a cleansing, though there is no escape from KH. It's like the door in the first game, Once you pass through, you can't come out. It's a never ending black hole.

 

[Eonstar890]

I love how for this cover picture they used nearly all KH3 pics EXCEPT for a random Mulan and Genie in Pre KH3 graphics. Kinda stick out like sore thumbs no?

I wonder what the deal with marketing mulan related to KH is anyway what with her placement here and in Talisman.

 

[Soldier]

I love how for this cover picture they used nearly all KH3 pics EXCEPT for a random Mulan and Genie in Pre KH3 graphics. Kinda stick out like sore thumbs no?

I wonder what the deal with marketing mulan related to KH is anyway what with her placement here and in Talisman.

Well, Mulan's a popular character right now because of her live action movie on the horizon. That and when you think about it in terms of her movie, she's on a higher plane than the other disney princesses (The emperor BOWED to her, putting her in a position above what they consider royalty). For most people in KH 2, Mulan's the first world that they visit after hollow bastion, and experience the new limit system.