Every kid loves a challenge. This summer, challenge your kids with the ultimate reading list to find out if the book is better than the movie. Inspire your kids to love stories by reading the book first, then watching the movie! If your kids resist reading, this may be the incentive they need to kickstart a love of reading. (Or, at least, agree to read to complete the challenge!!) Make the movie night a fun reward for completing the book. Here are some ideas for you!
- Movies v. Book Challenge Ideas
- Where to get the books
- How to find the best movies based on books for kids by age
- Discussion ideas for movies vs. book challenge
- Summer reading list: movies based on books
Movies v. Book Challenge Ideas
Read the books with your child this summer, then watch the movie!
- Select a few books from our list below
- Set aside time everyday to read
- Try to read the same number of pages or chapters per day so you can be on the same pace (if you are not reading aloud to your child)
- Host a family movie night – pick a date so you both have finished the book
- Let the movie be a reward: either something special the two of you do together, or include a special treat (ice cream sundaes! Candy bar! Popcorn!)
Where to get the books
- Check them out from your public library: Chapin Memorial Library in Myrtle Beach is an awesome resource, and you can even access digital libraries to stream books, movies, and shows
- Amazon
- Scholastic
- Barnes & Noble
- Bookshop.org lets you shop from local bookstores – online. You can choose a local bookstore, or you can shop online and they give back to local bookstores. The website explains, “If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on our map and they’ll receive the full profit off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don’t use Bookshop).” Here’s the book list of books with movies on Bookshop.org.
How to find the best movies based on books for kids by age
CommonSenseMedia.org is the go-to resource to assess what movies and books are age appropriate. Rated by the website, parents, and kids, along with details about what to expect, help parents select the best
Discussion ideas for movies vs. book challenge
After you’ve watched the movies based on books from your reading list, be prepared with some open-ended questions to get your kids thinking about the stories.
- Share what you liked best about the book and the story.
- Name three things you loved about the movie.
- What were the differences between the book and the movie? Were parts of the stories or details omitted from the movie?
Summer reading list: movies based on books
Here are 12 kids movies based on a book for a fun summer reading list and movies v. book challenge!
Kids movies based on a book
The BFG
Read the book first: The BFG by Roald Dahl
“The BFG is no ordinary bone-crunching giant. He is far too nice and jumbly. It's lucky for Sophie that he is. Had she been carried off in the middle of the night by the Bloodbottler, or any of the other giants—rather than the BFG—she would have soon become breakfast. When Sophie hears that the giants are flush-bunking off to England to swollomp a few nice little chiddlers, she decides she must stop them once and for all. And the BFG is going to help her!”
Stream the movie on Disney+
Harry Potter Series
Obviously, no literary list would omit Harry Potter!
- Read the books first: The entire boxed set on Amazon or Scholastic
- Listen on Audible (the narrator is AMAZING)
- Stream the movies on Peacock or HBO Max (or just go ahead and purchase from Amazon or Apple!)
Goosebumps Movie Novel
Goosebumps stars Jack Black, so you know your kids will love this one. Chances are the movie will win over the book in this challenge. However, it will still be fun to read the story first!
Read the book first: Goosebumps Movie Novel on Amazon
Wonder
The heartwarming story of a boy named with August, who has a facial difference, as he navigates life in a new school. The author explains her inspiration behind the story, “It made me wonder what it must be like for that child, facing a world every day that doesn't know how to face you back.”
Read the book first: Wonder on Amazon
A Wrinkle in Time
The movie version has Oprah and Reese. Moms may sway in favor of the movie... but the classic book is so, so good.
Read the book first: A Wrinkle in Time
Matilda
Roald Dahl is a master story teller, and many of his books have been made into movies. The books are worth reading first. His writing will pull you in and make you laugh. He is brilliant.
The movie version with Danny DeVito is hilarious!
The Witches
The new HBO Max version with Anne Hathaway is incredible but also will make you anxious. The witches are just so mean and nasty!!!!
Gulliver's Travels
The modern version of Gulliver’s Travels stars Jack Black... kids will love it. But it’s fun to see a classic come to life in a modern age, which will make for some fun and interesting conversation!
Read the book first: a classic, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels
Artemis Fowl
Read the book first: Artemis Fowl on Amazon
”Twelve-year-old Artemis is a millionaire, a genius-and above all, a criminal mastermind. But Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of the bedtime stories-they're dangerous!”
Stream the movie on Disney+
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Read the book first: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll on Amazon
There is only one Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll to read, but you have plenty of options for the movie versions! From the old school cartoon Disney version to the wacky Johnny Depp version, you’ll have plenty to discuss.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
This is a great series to get kids into reading - they love the movies and the books!
Read the books first: Box of Books on Amazon or Scholastic
