Coco Was Adapted Into a Little Golden Book by Co-Director Adrian Molina and It Is Wonderful

It goes without saying that we are super excited about Disney•Pixar’s upcoming movie Coco. The film, which tells the story of Miguel, a music-loving boy who finds himself in the Land of the Dead on Día de los Muertos, is sure to be incredibly warm-hearted and moving (seriously—we’ve already stocked up on tissues for opening night).

We have a special treat for everyone who is looking forward to Coco, in the form of a peek at a very special Little Golden Book from Disney Publishing. Coco’s Little Golden Book, which was adapted by Coco co-director Adrian Molina, tells the story of Coco in a storybook format, complete with beautiful artwork and a touching interpretation of the story. Take a look at the cover below and keep reading for more looks inside the book, as well as our interview with Molina.

You’ve talked about Coco being a “dream project.” Can you elaborate on how it has evolved your personal or professional journey?

Adrian Molina: I’ve just always felt a personal connection and kinship to the themes and characters that were in the story, even from the earliest stages. I love music, and to tell a story about a young Mexican boy trying to use music to express himself, to connect with the world, there was so much there that I related to.

What did you learn about the celebration of Día de los Muertos that may have changed your perception or emotional feeling towards this special holiday?

There was such a beautiful sense of openness and sharing that was part of the celebration. Both within the families—older generations sharing the stories of the people on the ofrenda with younger generations—but also on a larger community scale. Neighbors would go from household to household visiting each other, sharing food, sharing memories. There was such a sense of love and connection that makes you want to open your heart and share stories of your own family, to invite people into your home and share the memories of the people you hold in your heart.

How does your background as a screenwriter and storyboard artist for Disney•Pixar films like Ratatouille, Toy Story 3, and Monsters University inform how you approached writing the Coco Little Golden Book?

It’s so helpful to be able to think in words and pictures simultaneously and to know when each aspect is doing its job for the storytelling. Boiling down a 90-minute film into 24 storybook pages can be daunting, but my work on Pixar films has helped me to narrow in on what’s important emotionally. I think that is the stuff readers want to relive when they pick up a Little Golden Book of our films.

In what ways are the traditions of connection, remembrance, family, and joy expressed through the stories that have captured the essence of Coco, including your very own Little Golden Book?

Every one of these books inspired by Coco is such a celebration of art and music and family. Some stories focus on different elements, but they all so beautifully capture the world of Coco and Miguel’s journey to learn about his history and traditions.

It looks like every element of the story has roots in authenticity. How did the authentic voices of Disney Publishing’s authors and illustrators help to effectively extend the world and characters of the film into story?

So many of our authors and illustrators are of Mexican heritage, and it was a joy to see the personal touches they brought to these stories. I love to see each artist’s interpretation, each writer’s ideas blossoming and expanding on the world you see in the film. All of these storytellers bring aspects of their own families and experiences and I think it makes the world of Coco that much richer!

This Little Golden Book is just so lovely, and we are excited to have multiple ways to enjoy this wonderful multi-generational story of family! Order Coco’s Little Golden Book here.