School’s officially out, and who knows how long for – so what’s a Librarian to do!!
Well, I’ve been keeping the book love alive for our students, by doing Bedtime Story read aloud over Zoom Video link 3 nights a week, sending bookmarks to design and colour, as well as book suggestions to try at home. But now the Easter Holidays are finished, and like many other parents it’s only just now dawned on me that there’s 3 more weeks (at least) to fill and we aren’t allowed to leave the house to go anywhere either!
I’ve started to think about what to do to fill those days, and naturally there needs to be something bookish in there! In our house we’re going to be discovering Movies that were Books first. It’s amazing how many you can think of when you put your mind to it. I’m making a list and each week we will have a Book Movie Night, with popcorn and sweet treats – and a book inspired movie, and the kids can choose which one they’d like to read the original of for their bedtime story.
Movies can be the perfect vehicle to introduce the classics to children. Especially those more reluctant readers who might struggle with the unfamiliar language and writing style of books written decades ago. It’s also a chance to relive favourites of your own childhood with your children, and create some lockdown memories together.
So – if you’d like to try this at home too – here’s a few gems to get you started!
Pinocchio Matilda The BFG
The Gruffalo Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
The Chronicles of Narnia Coraline Harry Potter
101 Dalmations The Wizard of Oz Mrs Doubtfire
Alice in Wonderland Where the Wild Things Are Mary Poppins
Lord of the Rings Herbie the Love Bug The Lorax
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Swallows and Amazons Forever Black Beauty The Borrowers Big Fish
Doctor Doolittle How to Train Your Dragon Inkheart
Jumanji Night at the Museum Eragon
Paddington Stardust Tuck Everelasting
Babe – Pig in the City
For a never ending list of books that have been turned into movies check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_children%27s_books_made_into_feature_films and settle in with a cosy blanket and fluffy socks, to enjoy some great books together – on the screen 😊
Tris - The Librarian.