Honestly, I can talk about books all day long. However, I cannot talk about TV shows and series because I really don’t like to watch TV. I always believe that books are better, so I just stick with reading them. However, some of our students love watching TV. So, a great way to show them reading is exciting involves connecting books to movies. Let’s dive into some great picture books with a movie version.
Before we get started, I do want to be honest. I’ve maybe watched a couple of these movies. So, I will share some popular books to movies combinations, but I will only tell you about the books. You can decide which movies you want to watch on your own!
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the Picture Books Made Into Movies on my Youtube channel.
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Compare and Contrast
Students love movies! So, I love incorporating books to movies after a read aloud. We can read the book together first, watch the movie, and then compare and contrast. Many times, there are a lot of differences, and students love to share their thoughts! This is a great way to build compare and contrast skills while incorporating something students love!
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
I love this book! In this story, the characters live in the town of Chew and Swallow. Instead of rain and snow, meals fall from the sky! So, characters see spaghetti, hot dogs, broccoli, and chocolate milk coming down!
One day, the storms get so bad that people have to leave. Giant food will not stop falling!
Honestly, this is such a fun, creative books to movies adaptation!
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
This is a great book to use around Earth Day!
It talks about how people are chopping down all the trees. So, the Lorax tries to save them all. Using this book and movie shares a powerful message that we all need to take care of Earth and save precious trees.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
This books to movies adaptation has actors instead of being an animated film.
Sadly, Alexander is having the worst day ever. Nothing is going his way. He gets gum stuck in his hair, has to go to the dentist, and cannot find the shoes he wants. He doesn’t even get a toy in his cereal like his brothers do! On top of this, he keeps getting into trouble, so he decides he wants to move to Australia.
Students love cheering on Alexander with this books to movies adaptation!
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
This is one of my favorite books! While I do not love the movie with the added extra parts, it is a great books to movies feature during Christmas time.
There is so much imagination in this book! A young boy boards the Polar Express, a train that takes him to the North Pole. Here, he gets to meet Santa Claus!
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
This is such an excellent book! It is about a young boy excited to wake up and see the snow. So, students get to travel on all his adventures as he travels around the city on this snowy day.
Students will love seeing his adventures and then sharing theirs! Teachers can even use this books to movies story before or after the first big snowfall.
Curious George by Margret & H.A. Rey
I do love this TV series! There are many episodes, and some even match the specific books. It is always fun to follow George and the man with the yellow hat on their crazy adventures. George is always getting into trouble, and students love seeing how he gets out of a messy situation.
If You Give A Mouse A Cookie by Laura Numeroff
I really love this show! Students always love this series, so they are eager to watch the episodes. While they do not follow the books exactly, the episodes are all wonderful. They focus on friendship and helping each other and the animals. This books to movies adaptation is a fantastic way to learn essential life lessons through a format students love.
Honestly, there are so many excellent books to movies versions! They are perfect to use right before a vacation, a long weekend, or when you have some extra time. Students will love listening to the story, visualizing it, and watching the movie! They will be eager to share their thoughts with their classroom family.
Save this List!
Be sure to save this pin to your favorite book board on Pinterest! You’ll be able to come back to this list when you are ready to read with your students.
