Star Wars has officially announced a new holiday-themed book -- Life Day Treasury: Holiday Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away -- set to arrive early this coming September ahead of the 2021 holiday season.
The Life Day Treasury comes from authors Cavan Scott (Star Wars The High Republic: The Great Jedi Rescue) and George Mann (Star Wars Dark Legends). The two are joined on the project by illustrator Grant Griffin (Dark Legends). The book is described as a "collection of eight stories centered around the Star Wars galaxy's favorite holiday, Life Day, as well as other holidays and winter festivals, featuring stunning paintings by Grant Griffin." These stories will span multiple eras of the Star Wars timeline, though will all carry the themes of "hope, family, kindness and love."
"When I made the original pitch for the book, [Lucasfilm Publishing creative director] Mike Siglain suggested that we bring George on board as he had already produced two wonderful books of Star Wars folklore, Myths & Fables and Dark Legends," said Scott. "Teaming up made total sense, especially as George and I have a long history of working together. Who wouldn't want to make up Christmas stories with one of their best mates? Of course, our friendship was severely tested when I insisted on playing 'Christmas In the Stars,' the galaxy's greatest festive album, on loop during our work sessions."
"Life Day Treasury is an idea that Cav had been talking about for some time, and I'd always thought it would make a brilliant book," added Mann. "We both love Christmas tales, from spooky fireside ghost stories to heart-warming winter fables, and it seemed such a good fit with Star Wars." Mann also spoke to Griffin's artwork, saying, "[H]e's a true inspiration, and he knows how to bring the mythic side of the Star Wars galaxy to life."
Scott has been heavily involved with the High Republic publishing initiative. So, naturally, one of the book's stories is set within that era. "[I]t was fantastic to be able to get involved with this exciting new era and to tell a story about Jedi Master Stellan 'on patrol' during Coruscant's winter festivities," said Mann. "It's inspired by that classic 'Christmas in the city' sub-genre, which shows a different side to the pomp and circumstance of the High Republic."
Meanwhile, another story is described with three simple words: "Ewoks in snow." "Anyone who talks to me about Star Wars knows my love of the furry little warriors and this seemed too good an opportunity to miss," said Scott. "Both George and I are huge fans of winter folklore and through stories like this we wanted to explore the customs and beliefs that had developed on a number of worlds in the galaxy, including, of course, the forest moon of Endor."
Life Day as a concept originates from the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. While the CBS television special has become a rather infamous piece of media over the years, the franchise has begun to embrace Life Day in the official series canon. Possibly the biggest example thus far is when a Mythrol being detained by bounty hunter Din Djarin mentions the holiday by name in the first episode of Disney+'s The Mandalorian.
Written by Cavan Scott and George Mann and illustrated by Grant Griffin, Life Day Treasury: Holiday Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away goes on sale Sept. 7 from Disney Books and is currently available for pre-order.
Source: Star Wars
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