Reviews

Steven Universe: The Tale of Steven by Angie Wang, Elle Michalka, Rebecca Sugar

libcolleen's review against another edition

5.0

I love how the different storytellers in this book (White, Rose, Steven) each are printed so that you hold the book in a different direction/orientation according to how the character's perspective is printed on the page. I like then how they intersect in the center. Very clever design. I like how it breaks the fourth wall and calls out the "book-ness" of the physical book. My 9 year old says "Very pretty book!" and that White Diamond's commentary throughout was the best part, she was laughing hysterically each time White popped up making commentary.

Might be confusing if a person doesn't already know the story? My daughter read it independently and it took her a bit to figure out the page orientations, she started a bit confused, but I can imagine that if the parent/storyteller is guiding the reading it would not be an issue, much like with "Press Here" or "This Book Ate My Dog."

I am reviewing this as a fan and a parent of a nine year old. For us, this was a treasured retelling for this misty-eyed fan family.

nyrabloodreaver's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

violinknitter's review against another edition

4.0

3.25 stars, rounded up b/c Steven Universe!

Ok, I loved the idea of this book much more than the reality. A picture book of Steven for young kids? Yes please! Telling stories from different perspectives by [spoiler redacted]? Yes please!

But in the end, I think this would be a very hard book to read aloud to kids and have them be able to process what’s going on. Maybe I’m wrong... I’ve read my share of picture books out loud, but maybe this would be easier than I anticipate. And if a child is already familiar with the characters and the story, I think they’d be fine.

prettypieceoffiction's review against another edition

5.0

I just love Steven Universe so much! I love this concept and of course the story! I will never get enough Steven Universe.

raffelion's review against another edition

5.0

Yes, this is a book for kids. It's a simple storybook read. But please read it. Make your friends read it, read it to your kids. Excellent messages much like the rest of the Steven Universe...universe. Then do yourself a favor and watch the show. Or just watch the movie. Whatever. But seriously Steven Universe is a gem (hah!).

grid's review against another edition

5.0

This is a sweet retelling of a very small sliver of the Steven Universe story, with a cute gimmick.

helliotine's review against another edition

4.0

Adorable. Le format particulièrement m'a plu.

littlejesterdude's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

draper_claire's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

soundofthesky's review against another edition

3.0

I'm a huge Steven Universe fan so I can't help myself. The art in this book is cute and beautiful and it makes use of the physical medium of the book to tell a story in a way that might be the perfect "baby's first metaphor" that a child picking up this book would understand.