On March 31, 2023, the long-awaited film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was released to the public to the delight of many gamers, young and old. For interested youngsters, or perhaps older fans who want to share their passion with the children in their lives, there is a range of books and activities for kids of all ages. Penguin Random House was kind enough to send me a few copies, from their PICTUREBACK brand to their deluxe hardcover chapter book, all of which I’ve reviewed below!

Level 1: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Quest Begins

This PRH PICTUREBACK Book features full page animated illustrations and is the largest version, at 8x8 inches. Adapted by Matt Hurley, illustrated by Alan Batson and Grace Mills, and based on the screenplay by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, it tells the story of Edgin and his team retrieving the Helmet of Disjunction in a way that younger kids can comprehend. Each of the team members are introduced: Edgin, Holga, Simon, Doric, and Xenk, and each of their individual skills are highlighted, making the moral of the story that a good team working together makes everyone a hero.

Level 2: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: Heroes Unite!

The next level is written by Nicole Johnson, with the same illustrators and the same screenplay basis, and is part of the Step Into Reading program. At Step 3: Reading on Your Own, there are still full paged animated illustrations, but with bigger letters and shorter, more simple sentences that kids who are learning to read can comprehend themselves. Whereas The Quest Begins was told from Edgin’s perspective, Heroes Unite! is told in the third person, and goes into a bit more detail than The Quest Begins. It sports the same moral: each person brings something unique and special to the team, and with all of their talents together, they can accomplish their goals.

Level 3: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

This chapter book, adapted by David Lewman, is the Junior Novelization and features an 8 page full color insert with screengrabs from the live action film. The deluxe version is a hardcover, and also includes a poster readers can rip out and hang up. The inside cover has a map of the sword coast so readers can follow the team on their journey visually. Of the three versions, this one goes into the most depth, and discusses a lot more emotion in addition to the quest. Each of the team members are more characterized: each of them get a chapter exclusively introducing them and their backstory. The junior novelization also goes into more depth on Forge’s betrayal of Edgin, Holga, and Simon, and Kira, Edgin’s daughter is introduced. This version also has a few more in depth morals: sticking with the general moral of each team member bringing something unique to the table, but also including some themes of self-confidence, asking for help when you need it, and not always judging a book by it’s cover.

Official Activity Book

Featuring puzzles, posters, mazes, word games, and over 50 stickers, the official Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Activity Book is enough to keep any child entertained. With simple directions and answers included in the back of the book, it’s perfect for a car ride, plane ride, or just independent play time.