Entertainment
6 Children's Books To Read Before They Become Movies In 2016
2016 hasn't been around for very long, but it's promising to be a spectacular year for turning books into movies, especially children's books. I am both an avid bookworm and a huge movie buff, so I don't always think you have to read the original story before hitting up a movie theater. But this year, there are some children's books to read before they become movies — no doubt about it.
Even before I had a little girl obsessed with books (seriously, my daughter loves books more than anything in the world), the junior section of Barnes & Noble was always my favorite. Of course the books are nostalgia-inducing, but there's something very comforting and lovely about children's books, particularly ones that have been classics for generations. You don't have to be a parent to appreciate a good kid's book, especially when you find one full of adventure, friendship, hope, and faith. Think about the epic Harry Potter series, and how it quickly went from being categorized as a children's book to a series everyone could fall in love with. The authors of books for kids literally blow my mind with their stories, so its no wonder Hollywood turns to them for adaptations.
This year, there are six children's books becoming movies, and while I'm more than excited to check out the films, I'm definitely making time to read the books beforehand, and so should you. Read them with your kid or read them alone, but either way, put them on your nightstand.
1'The Little Prince' By Antoine De Saint-Exupery
The Little Prince is such a classic, cherished story that I'm actually a little worried about a movie doing it justice. The story of the little prince that has fallen to Earth is a beautiful tale of loneliness, love, imagination, creativity, and friendship. It's one you need on your bookshelf, regardless of its movie status, and one you should read before the film's release date on March 18.
2'The Jungle Book' By Rudyard Kipling
We all love the animated flick, but if you haven't read The Jungle Book, make some time before Disney re-releases the classic with an all-star cast on April 15. Your kids will love hearing this one out loud.
3'Through The Looking Glass' By Lewis Carroll
Through the Looking Glass is the sequel to Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and will be released as a movie May 27. With Johnny Depp reprising his role as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska returning as Alice, the Tim Burton flick is sure to be huge. But the book is equally dreamy, fanciful, and whimsical with some new characters to enjoy.
4'The BFG' By Roald Dahl
And, as big of a Harry Potter fan as I am, I think this might be my favorite book to film adaptation for 2016. I have always been a Roald Dahl fan, but The BFG is one of his best. It is an incredibly sweet story of an unlikely friendship, and the film, directed by Steven Spielberg (so it's literally going to be perfect), will be released July 1.
5'The Great Gilly Hopkins' By Katherine Paterson
Bouncing from foster home to foster home, Gilly is the wisecracking, unmanageable heroine that will steal your heart in The Great Gilly Hopkins as she creates a plan for her real mother to come and rescue her from the final foster home she's sent to, the Trotters. Gilly thinks the family is totally weird, and I can not wait to see this in live-action (with Kathy Bates in the cast) on Oct. 6.
6'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' By J.K. Rowling
The first spin-off of the original Harry Potter series will be released Nov. 18, so you have plenty of time to check this one out. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is written as a textbook for Hogwarts, but it's the perfect way to fall back in love with the wizarding world Rowling has created.
