Customer Reviews

Ocean Girl

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I managed to see only one episode of the series on Disney years ago and seem to remember being impressed with the production values, looked like a good kid's program. If this book is as well done as I think the series was it is worth owning.
For those who want to know, the series 1st season is out on DVD, but apparently only in Australia. It's an all region PAL format so you'll either need a PAL DVD player or run it on your computer. I found it on eBay by looking for it under DVD's (I think that was it), the series website is good too: www.jonathan-m-schiff.com.au/og/

Ocean Girl was a family-friendly Australian TV show that lasted for four seasons, although only three seasons were shown in the United States. This novel came out after the first season premiered, and it perfectly captures the mystery, excitement and wonder of Ocean Girl. Much of the flavour of the series and its characters has been captured, although translating the magnificent visuals of the Daintree rainforest does not fare as well. Still, author Peter Hepworth makes a brave attempt. An example:

"Snow white sands curved out of sight on either side. Beyond the beach great strands of rainforest trees grew thick and tall, their trunks interlaced with vines and creepers. Brilliantly coloured birds flashed from branch to branch and butterflies the size of bread-and-butter plates flitted through the air. They made their way inland, Neri leading the way. Each turn of the track revealed new sights. Dripping clusters of bright tropical flowers. Little marsupials who sat up on their hind legs like tiny kangaroos and watched them pass. Huge emerald tree frogs with golden eyes."

Ocean Girl is an excellent companion to an amazing New Age TV series. Neri's story will whisk you away to an isolated island paradise and a mysterious past. Once you start reading this you won't be able to put it down!

This is a truly fabulous book. Whether or not you watched the series, you will definitely love it. This was one of the most original, exciting, and all-around best shows in TV history, so if you haven't seen it, you've got problems... but back to the point. I don't want to spoil the plotline for you, so just READ IT! I also hear they are coming out with a movie. Whether or not it will be shown in the US, I don't know, but it'll definitely be a must-see!

Great book based on the Australian series. I remember the show from the Disney Channel and I was SOOO annoyed that they took it off before I got the chance to see the 4th season. The book follows the series pretty closely, though there are some minor differences, plus the fact that there's an oil spill on the series that wasn't put into the book. I was so happy to be able to find the book!

I agree with Sarah Morin. The Disney channel showed part of the australian series a few years ago. Wish I could get copies of these episodes. They are wonderful for Kid and even grownups.

Does anyone know if the episodes were ever made into videos??? I really dug the series as a kid and I'd really like to get a hold of them now. If anyone has any information on this, please let me know. Thank you.

I am so glad that I read this book. It was very intriging, very keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of thing. I love this book!

Ok, great series, great premise: Neri is a young woman who can speak to a whale she calls Jali (or Charley, whatever you prefer) and has a pretty mysterious past. In the first season, which is what the book is somewhat based on (more on that in a sec) Neri meets up with the Bates family: Jason, Brett and their mother Dianne. The season mostly concentrates on that, though there are a few other adventures along the way (Dianne has a diving accident and Neri saves her, for instance). Jali is also kidnapped and subsequently saved by Jason, Brett and some other kids. The series lasted four seasons and spawned a second series "The New Adventures of Ocean Girl" which in all reality has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the first and is in fact animated while the first one is real people. Unfortunately, only the first season was made into a book and it's difficult to find copies of the episodes but it's incredibly good.

As to the discrepencies between the book and the tv season: there is at least one episode that I know of that is not at all mentioned in the book and several scenes with things out of place or things not happening in the same order. I'd give an example but I don't want to give too much away.

Other than the discrepancies, it is still an excellent book for a person of any age and even if you've never heard of the series or seen all the episodes, I still would recommend it to anyone.

The only reason the book got a four instead of a five is because of the discrepancies, nothing else.

Enjoy!

"Ocean Girl" is a great book that you will hardly be able to put down. This book allows you to use your imagination while sending a message to the reader to care for people and the environment.

"Ocean Girl" is a great book that you will hardly be able to put down. This book allows you to use your imagination while sending a message to the reader to care for people and the environment.