The Official Pokemon Handbook by Maria S. Barbo

The Official Pokemon Handbook #1

by Maria S. Barbo

Zen masters never said, "You must learn as much as you can about your Pokémon," but Professor Oak certainly did. The grand teacher of Pokémon introduces this handy book about the Japanese craze that took over America in the form of a video game, trading cards, and a popular TV show. The handbook--written as if the young reader were a Pokémon trainer like Ash, Misty, and Brock--teaches kids which cards are the best to win a game and illuminates the stories behind the TV show. Geared to young readers, this engaging, colorful book is not for the Pokémon expert who has copious spreadsheets of statistics. You'll find fun facts about each Pokémon (Charmander is two feet tall and its element is fire, in case you didn't know), a clear guide to the evolution of certain characters, and a helpful pronunciation guide (great for parents). The book could have used a pictorial index of all 150 characters, but that won't stop fans from wearing out this handbook during their adventures as a Pokémon trainer. --Doug Thomas

Genres: Reference, Fiction, Video Games, Childrens, Fantasy, Guides, Manga

Unknown Binding

First published July 1, 1999

About the author

Writes and edits fiction and nonfiction for young readers and develops original content for chapter book, middle grade, and picture book series—including award winners and commercial successes such as The Friendship List, Soldier Dogs, and the HarperChapters line of early chapter books.

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was younger and there were only 151 pokémon, I would sit and draw from this book. Reading about all my favorites would trigger my imagination, and I'd be dreaming about all the adventures I'd have with my team. 15 years later, and I'm still a pokémon fan.

[Kayla]

So y'all remember those bookfairs we had in elementary school? Those were the greatest man. They were like paradise for little book-loving me. We got cataglogs and I'd just go "OMG I WANNA BUY EVERYTHING!" But the thing I wanted most--at least when I was seven--was this freaking book. I was so happy when I first go it, I literally spent hours pouring over it trying to find out stuff about my favorite Pokemon, and then me and my sister would play like we had real Pokemon--that or pick up tall sticks and pretend to be at Hogwarts...

GOD, this is so nostalgic I don't even know what to do with myself.

[Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was 7 this was my bible. Probably still would be if my copy hadn't completely disintegrated.

[Rolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book but be careful!!

the human brain can only store a limited amount of information and the contents of this book will fill your brain up to 98.8%. Thank god I didn't read that section about shellder because otherwise I wouldn't know how to breathe anymore.

can't learn anything else anymore. someone help me. i have $5 off my next uber eats order but i don't know how to use it. all i know is alakazam's IQ is 5000.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the Pokémon Gen 1 Games so it's the old school Pokémon. But if you want that it is essential, it covers every Pokémon, their strengths, weaknesses, where to find them, rarity, how to evolve them and at what level they do. If you want 'to catch em all' it help's give u the ability to do just that.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the coolest Pokemon books to this day.

[Maciej · Rating 5 out of 5]

W sumie to nie oglądałem za dużo Pokemonów, ale nie przeszkodziło mi to w brawurowej kradzieży tej książki z biblioteczki siostry i buszowaniu z przyjaciółką po podwórku w poszukiwaniu Magnemite'a 👌

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say - this book has ALL 150 Pokémon in it. WOW!!! Phenomenal stuff. Encyclopaedic-level knowledge of the Pokémon subject area.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

that pikachu he's a nasty little fella im

[Kirsten]

When I was in middle school I bought this book while on holiday in Wales just when Pokemon was getting popular. I would read it and re-read it every day drawing my favourites and coming up with random poke adventure stories with my sister. It was a great little introduction to the franchise for kids like me and my sister who were dreaming of finally getting the game for birthday/christmas or for intrigued parents wanting to know what all the fuss was about. Lots of fond memories

[Capsguy]

My bible.

[Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kanto <33333

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pure gold. It is the bible for any original pokemon master.

[Diego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olvidé que había leído este libro de niño. Cuánta nostalgia. Como fan de la franquicia hasta la fecha (a través de los videojuegos), toca admitir que guardo bellos recuerdos de esta lectura. Perdí este libro hace años y no hace mucho mi hermano lo encontró en una librería de viejo y me lo obsequió. Así regresó a mi vida. Las mini-biografías de cada monstruo en Pokémon, colectadas siempre en el famoso Pokedéx, siempre han sido muy divertidas y bien hechas, y esta no es una excepción. Un libro ideal para niños, por supuesto, mas también para aquellos frikis nostálgicos que guardan un rincón especial en su corazón por esa primera generación de monstruos de bolsillo. Hay que atraparlos a todos.

[Kathryn]

I’m glad i finally read this. Shout to em for this Christmas gift.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites growing up! Seeing the cover brought back immediate nostalgia, and fond memories of going through the pages of this book until the corners became bent and worn.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neat. 😊 Superbly awesome, as well as very inspiring, too. Plus, I must say, when it comes to things in the category of Pokémon, this book can be a very big help — especially when it comes to looking for a new Pokémon in the video games as well. 😊

Plus, from my perspective, Togepi, being a baby Pokémon, is quite cute, as well as very neat to take care of, too. 😎

Also, just as taking care of a pet teaches responsibility to kids, in the Pokémon world, taking care of a Pokémon helps a Pokémon Trainer to grow and learn themselves.

Another thing is that TM27, aka Return, can be bought in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and that if you have enough prize money to buy more than one TM27, you can teach it to more than one Pokémon in your party as well. 😊

Finally, the game of Pokémon is a good one, because when you take care of a Pokémon in the games, you’re actually learning lessons without even knowing it.

Basically, I give this book two thumbs up, as well as five stars (although ten stars would be even better). Plus, this book is one I highly recommend for all those fans of Pokémon out there. 😊

[J.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad bought me this when I was in the midst of Poké-mania. And for the record, I was in my late 20's, not a teen at the time. This is a fun manual for fans of the fandom, though it's limited to the first 150 Pokémon only. But it came in very handy when playing the video or card game because it gives all the stats on each Pokémon, what they're strong against, what they're weak against, what level they evolve at, etc.

Yes, I'm a geek at heart.

[The Book Sale Scrounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember excitedly renting out this book from the library as a small child, and the eventual, crushing disappointment of knowing that it would have to be returned. This bore one of my favorite childhood memories - my mom taking the book to work with her the day that it was due for return and staying at the office until the wee hours of the morning, photocopying every single page to be stapled into a massive packet.

It's still a source of good memories for me.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much to it, but an amazing insight to the Pokemon of Kanto, their moves, and their trainers!

Gym Leaders, Elite Four, Poster???
So many things incorporated into this small handbook.


This handbook helped me a lot. Especially when playing Pokemon Red, Blue, and FireRed!
:D

[Aleina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definetly a dorky, child-ish hobby I kind-of do and don't have. I haven't seen my copy since just now actually, but I remembered how much I just liked to page through to look at all the pokemon and circle my favorites. ^_^ That was probably around 2nd or 3rd grade. This really for people into pokemon and/or totally hard core gamers, fans etc.

[Graham Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

What 90s boy's life would be complete without Pokemon and the handbook to tell you all about them? Lot of good memories of this book :)

[Ben Myers-petro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nary a Pokemon related problem this book book couldn't solve.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, Pokemon sure has changed. This handbook is obviously meant to pair with both the original Gameboy games and the television show. The handful of elements, only 151 Pokemon, Gary Oak, and only three notable members of Team Rocket. Ahhhhh, the good ole` days.

Looking at the handbook with the aid of distance and time I can somewhat see the absurdity of these small creatures, especially in comparison to the new bloods that look like keyrings, candelabras, and anything else that highlights a dearth of creativity. There’s something special about the originals.

Let’s take a moment to observe some facts. Poliwag’s description is gold. Alakazam has an IQ of 5,000 and I quote, “he’s a genius”. Slowpoke’s type is dopey. Team Rocket’s Butch and Cassidy turned the Pokemon breeding center into a Pokemon stealing center. And there is so much more.

Oh and Ekans is snake backwards and Arbok is kobra. I feel like I’ve learned that before…Still mind-blowing to find it here.

This was absolutely entertaining. I’m glad my friend fished it out and thought to lend it out.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t list out what would be my favorite lineup. I can’t remember for the life of me the squad I originally beat Pokemon Red and Blue with. I could go with all three originals, but since I never run grass I’d snag Bulbasuar, though Squirtle is AWESOME. Nowadays the six slots would look something like:
Bulbasaur – Peashoot
Squirtle – H2Whoa
Pidgeot – Vorse
Nidoking – Bars
Arcanine – Jax
Abra – Skitter
Hitmonchan – Vulcan
Rhydon – Rock
Gyarados – Durango
Vaporeon – Darolleo
Snorlax – Borb
Dragonite – Vargas
Machamp - Vossler

Huh, That’s way more than six. Let’s take Bublasaur, Arcanine, Nidoking, Pidgeot, Vaporeon and Rhydon.

[Christy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this or rather flip through it back when I was in 8th grade. I didn't even know what Pokemon was back then I just really like to looking at them. 4 years ago I found this book at Goodwill and I flipped through it once or twice a year looking at my favorite Pokemon but I never actually took the time to read. Today I did it is actually my favorite book of the ones that are out because it's in evolutionary order instead of ABC order. I actually hate the other editions because they go to ABC order and you have to keep flipping back and forth through the book at despise that. This is the best book even though it only has the first ones. The layout is what I love about this book plus the Pokemon. My favorite of all time is of course Pikachu

Then they're Squirtle and Charmander

Charmelon
Wartortle
Butterfree
Vulpix
Ninetales
Parras
Meowth
Growlithe
Golem
Ponyta
Rapidash
Seel
Dewgong
Cubone
Marowak
Lickitung
Rhydon
Hersea
Seaking
Scyther
Lapras
Eevee
Flareon
Aerodactyl
Articuno
Mortres
Dratini
Dragonair

Those are the ones I love out this book. Definitely great for ones starting out. I also noticed from glancing at other books this one as more info in some ways.

[Alvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Pokémon Handbook is really interesting. It includes all the characters in the Pokémon anime, including the main character Ash Ketchum of course. It includes Ash’s battles, friends, allies, enemies and obviously his Pokémon. It talks about Pokémon stats, no matter what type or size they are. They can be found in the seas or the mountains. They can be found all over the Pokémon world or there is only one of that kind of Pokémon species. Of course there are Pokémon that created the universe itself. It is 100% suitable for those who didn’t watch the Pokémon seasons in its entirety or if you are unfamiliar with Pokémon moves.

[ᥫ᭡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m in between rating this a 4 or 5. It’s the first Pokémon handbook I ever had. It’s not the best at details, but the poster is cool enough. I definitely cherish this manual because as a kid when I had it, I felt like a champ! I had my original copy all thru my adulthood, found and was put away and stored for a long time. I wound up donating it I think or gave it to my brother, and I just now re-purchased thru Thriftbooks, because even though I also gave my brother my original 150 character cards… I can still appreciate the book. Pokémon played a HUGE part of my childhood, and it will always be dear to me.

[James Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid. Back then, there was only 150 Pokemon (or 151, if you know about the origins of Mewtwo). I loved reading about them and the fun commentary as it describes them. Jury's out on whether newer fans of the series will enjoy this (as there are way more Pokemon now than there were back then), but old fans like myself can definitely appreciate this book for what it is.

[Shandra Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had this since book for about 20 years. I used to use it while playing pokemon Yellow on my gameboy to look up what level certain Pokémon evolved at or what to use type to use when fighting certain types. It does not have all of the different Pokémon since there are over 151 now.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential for the first generation Pokémon lover in your life ;)

But really, a fun little resource if you're at all interested in Pokémon, and its art.