Star Wars Life Day Treasury: Holiday Stories From a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Cozy up with this collection of holiday-themed midwinter stories from throughout the galaxy far, far away!
From George Mann and Grant Griffin, the same team that brought us the stunning Star Wars: Myths & Fables and Star Wars: Dark Legends–with the addition of best-selling author Cavan Scott–this collection of eight myths and fables told around winter fires and high-tech heating pods across the galaxy will bring holiday joy to young and old Star Wars fans alike. From Jedi in the city to Ewoks in the forest, from Wookiees to droids, in this charming collection you will find holiday feasts, ghostly apparitions, snowy adventures, and much more. Ultimately these are stories of hope in the darkest of days. Of family, found and otherwise. Of kindness. And of love.
Authors: George Mann, Cavan Scott
Illustrator: Grant Griffin
Release date: September 7th 2021
Pages: 192
ISBN: 9781368070881
In the 45 years of Star Wars storytelling there have been plenty of delightful releases. From the children’s books of the 70’s to the wide array of Ewok books that accompanied Return of the Jedi and the Ewoks and Droids comics of the mid 80’s, there have been releases that charm and entertain in equal measure, and this release – Star Wars Life Day Treasury: Holiday Stories From a Galaxy Far, Far Away from authors Cavan Scott and George Mann – continues that tradition, bringing us festivals from across the galaxy with familiar characters like Ewoks, Hutts and Mon Calamari on worlds strewn from Coruscant to Endor.
We kick off with A Coruscant Solstice, a story (originally titled ‘Heart of the Jedi‘…awkward) that flings us back to the era of The High Republic which sees legendary Jedi Stellan Gios encounter a scrapy Gotal child called Nittel who was talented in the Force, all set against the backdrop of a snowy Corustant. An Old Hope takes us to the township of Mos Gofti on Tatooine, where the spirit of Santa Claus visits a grouping of dusty droids and yes, it’s a crazy and fun as it sounds (especially when the white-bearded character is most likely an unnamed Obi-Wan Kenobi). The Kindling takes us to Tovio, where Imperial walkers hunt down Rebel Alliance heroes through the snowy forest as we hear the legends of Twi’lek world Aaloth, of Darth Quellus and its subjugation by the Sith Empire and using lessons in the legend to make their escape. The Kroolok takes us to Endor and our Ewok tale as the legend of the Kroolok spins Wicket, Weechee, Teebo and co into a festive adventure as they try to hunt down this mythical beast while surviving in the cold snows of Endor (plus bonus appearance by the legendary Chukha-Trok from Caravan of Courage).
Of all the stories in the book, arguably the most infamous is The Song of Winter’s Heart, a tale of two old Alderaanian friends separated by the war, one on the side of the Rebellion, the other the Empire. Inspired by the Christmas Day truce made famous by Paul McCartney’s 1983 hit Pipes of Peace we see in the most intimate way just how the actions of Palpatine has fractured the galaxy on every level. We head to Monta for The Spirit of Life Day, where the dead of Odes Town – the site of a terrible battle during the Clone Wars – rise to battle the droids who slaughtered them, fuelled by the grief of those who survived. Looking for guidance, people travel across the galaxy to Jedha to find answers in the mirrors beneath the Holy City in Reflection Day, and we end with The Tree of Life a tale fittingly set on the home of Life Day itself as we journey to Kashyyyk and join Chewbacca’s father Attichitcuk, wife Mallatobuck and son Lumpawaroo as they wait for Chewie to return home for their most important day.
Just like Myths and Fables and Dark Legends before it, Life Day Treasury is a fine balance of childlike story telling blended with heart-warming moments and insightful reveals. Chock-a-block with knowing nods to stories past, seeding future tales and spinning brand new ones, it’s a fulfilling read that could certainly stand further volumes as we dip into the festivals, folklore and fables of the galaxy.
We spoke with Cavan about this and other projects on Canon Fodder, and stay tuned for more author interviews there and on Making Tracks.
