Great Books Made Into Movies
1 min read
Many much-loved films began as books. Reading the story first can make the movie even more exciting, and spotting the differences is a fun game.
Family Favorites That Began on the Page
- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum was published in 1900. The famous 1939 film changed several details.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl was published in 1964 and has been filmed more than once.
- Matilda by Roald Dahl was published in 1988 and became a film in 1996.
- Paddington by Michael Bond first appeared in 1958. The bear from Peru has since starred in several films.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling was published in 1997 and began a long film series.
- Coraline by Neil Gaiman became a stop-motion film in 2009.
Read First or Watch First?
Both work. Reading first lets children imagine characters in their own way. Watching first can encourage reluctant readers to try the book.
Spot the Differences
Books can include more characters, thoughts, and side stories than a film has time for. Movies add music, visuals, and performances. Ask questions such as:
- What was left out of the film?
- What did the film add?
- Did the characters look the way you imagined?
Make a Reading List
Pick one book from this list, read it together over a few evenings, then schedule the film as a reward.
