Read the book then see the movie

Pete's Dragon was a favourite movie of my childhood. I especially loved the soundtrack and the song Candle on the Water (you can hear it here). I do need to say, though, this movie is not based on a book but hopefully this image has caught your eye. 

I entered a competition the other day (I won - isn't that amazing). I should add that only around 19 people entered, and many did not quite answer the question - to name a movie made from a book and to say why. Also, I assumed, even though it didn't state this, that they wanted a children's book adaption - after all this competition was from the Children's Book Council of Australia. Since this prize was the book Dragon Keeper by Carol Wilkinson I thought it was a good idea to include a movie/book that featured a splendid dragon.

IT'S A GIVEAWAY! 🐉 
You already know this fantastic story by Carole Wilkinson – winner of the 2004 CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers! – and now it's a magical film on the big screen. 
To celebrate, we have double-passes to see DRAGONKEEPER at the cinema, plus a copy of the book. 
To go in the draw: Like this post
Tell us your favourite book-to-film adaption (and why!)
DRAGONKEEPER is in cinemas now!

Here are the two movies I listed:

This is a splendid movie adaption of the classic novel The Borrowers by Mary Norton

Naturally I listed this because it is by Michael Ende author of the book that inspired this blog - 

Momo and also I listed this because it features a brilliant dragon named Falkor. 

Here are other children's movies that were mentioned (there were several adult movies too):

• The BFG book by Roald Dahl
• The Wizard of Oz book by Frank L Baum
• Harry Potter movie series by JK Rowling
• Storm Boy book by Colin Thiele
• Runt book by Craig Silvey
• Clifford book by Norman Bridwell
• How to train your dragon book by Cressida Cowell

Here are some of my own favourites:

Based on the book Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Based on the book by Roald Dahl - this movie has an amazing performance by Judi Dench

Based on the book by Natalie Babbitt

Book by Kate DiCamillo 

My only tiny quibble with this one is in my mind the dog was smaller.

Because of Winn Dixie

Book Mary Poppins by PL Travers

Kiki's Delivery Service book by Eiko Kadono

I also found a list of the fifty best children's movies from Rotten Tomatoes and they listed Babe (book The Sheep Pig by Dick King Smith); The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse; A little Princess (book by Frances Hodgson Burnett); Matilda (book by Roald Dahl); and Paddington (book by Michael Bond). 

To this list I would add Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (book by Ian Fleming); Stuart Little (book by EB White); Charlotte's Web (book by EB White); The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (book by CS Lewis); The Secret of NIMH (book Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C O'Brien); and Homeward Bound (book The Incredible Journey by Shelia Burnford). And on this list I was reminded about Holes by Louis Sachar and Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome.

Did you know Shrek was actually a book (by William Steig) first?

This last one is not a movie you could see in a cinema but I adore it. 

This movie was by made by Weston Woods in 1984. 

Based on the book Corduroy by Don Freeman

These last two books are 32 page picture books turned into full length movies. Other examples are Magic Beach - recently released here in Australia, The Polar Express, Where the Wild things are, Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, Jumanji by Chris van Allsburg and Peter Rabbit. Check out this list.