Kid Books that are Family Movies PLUS a FREE Discussion Guide

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Check out this fantastic list of kid’s books made into movies. It’s a perfect list so you can plan a fun family activity this month: Read a kid’s book and then watch the movie. There are so many fantastic children’s books that have been made into movies, so your family can easily find one you’ll enjoy.

Not only will you be able to enjoy a great book together, but then you can discuss the choices made when adapting the story for the big screen!

A fantastic list of kid's books made into movies.

{This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.}

Looking for a great way to enjoy a kid’s book as a family?

Grab the audio version and listen together. It works well for our family to listen together during a meal, while relaxing in the evening, or at bedtime.

The advantage of an audiobook is that little ones can play quietly as they listen and older children can color or simply relax while listening.

Audiobooks are easy to find. They are often at your public library or available through the Libby app (using your library card). You can also purchase them on Amazon Audible or join with a monthly Audible membership and receive your first title free! (sometimes more – be sure to check out the lastest deal)

Ready to have a great discussion after the movie?

This kid’s book to movie guide contains 7 discussion questions you can use for a brief family discussion after the movie. It’s easy and fun to share your opinion of the book to screen adaptation and a great way to get your kids thinking more deeply about literature and screen-writing.

Over 45 Fantastic Kid’s Books that are Family-Friendly Movies

Let’s get this list started wtih over 45 of the best children’s books that have been turned into movies.

Please note that you should always research the content of books and movies to determine if they are appropriate for your own family. I recommend using Common Sense Media to review the specific content.

Turn your movie day into a book celebration with our book club guide:

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

Charlotte’s Web: The Book
Charlotte’s Web: The Movie

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Book
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Movie

Looking for TEEN books that are also movies?

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted: The Book
Ella Enchanted: The Movie

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter: The Books
Harry Potter: Movie One
**There are 7 books and 8 movies in the series

Holes by Lois Sachar

Holes: The Book
Holes: The Movie

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: The Book
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: The Movie

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engle

A Wrinkle in Time: The Book
A Wrinkle in Time: The Movie

Find 50 engaging books for teens that have been made into movies.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit

Tuck Everlasting: The Book
Tuck Everlasting: The Movie

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret: The Book
The Invention of Hugo Cabret: The Movie

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh: The Book
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh: The Movie

Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

Mouse and the Motorcycle: The Book
Mouse and the Motorcycle: The Movie

Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Tale of Despereaux: The Book
Tale of Despereaux: The Movie

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

The Bad Beginning (Book 1): The Book
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Movie

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Golden Compass: The Book
The Golden Compass: The Movie

Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi

Spiderwick Chronicles (The Field Guide, Book One): The Book
Spiderwick Chronicles: The Movie

Stuart Little by E. B. White

Stuart Little: The Book
Stuart Little: The Movie

Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden: The Book
The Secret Garden: The Movie

Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona: The Book
Beezus and Ramona: The Movie

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

The Princess Diaries: The Book
The Princess Diaries: The Movie

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

James and the Giant Peach: The Book
James and the Giant Peach: The Movie

>>> Looking for TEEN books that are also movies? <<<

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

Peter Pan: The Book
Peter Pan: Disney Movie; Peter Pan Movie; Pan Movie

Grab a list of over 45 kid's books made into movies

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: The Book
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: The Movies – Cartoon – Real Person

Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Wizard of Oz: The Book
Wizard of Oz: The Movie

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Book
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Movie (1971); The Movie (2005)

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

The Indian in the Cupboard: The Book
The Indian in the Cupboard: The Movie

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Inkheart: The Book
Inkheart: The Movie

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief: The Book
The Lightning Thief: The Movie

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

Harriet the Spy: The Book
Harriet the Spy: The Movie

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

How to Train Your Dragon: The First Book in the Series
How to Train Your Dragon: The First Movie in the Series

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Book
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Movie

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Wonder: The Book
Wonder: The Movie

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

The Jungle Book: The Book
The Jungle Book: The Movie (Disney); The Movie (2016)

How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

How to Eat Fried Worms: The Book
How to Eat Fried Worms: The Movie

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Around the World in 80 Days: The Book
Around the World in 80 Days: The Movie

Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl

Fantastic Mr. Fox: The Book
Fantastic Mr. Fox: The Movie

Call of the Wild by Jack London

Call of the Wild: The Book
Call of the Wild: The Movie

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

Howl’s Moving Castle: The Book
Howl’s Moving Castle: The Movie

Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

Robin Hood: The Book
Robin Hood: The Movie (so many versions, but Disney is my favorite)

The BFG by Roald Dahl

The BFG: The Book
The BFG: The Movie

Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky

Guardians of Ga’Hoole: Book One
Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Movie

Mary Poppins by Dr. P. L. Travers

Mary Poppins: The Books
Mary Poppins: The Original; The Sequel; Mary Poppins Returns; Saving Mr. Banks

Dr. Dolittle by Hugh Lofting

Dr. Dolittle: The Book
Dr. Dolittle: The Movie

Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth

Cheaper by the Dozen: The Book
Cheaper by the Dozen: The Movie

Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

Swiss Family Robinson: The Book
Swiss Family Robinson: The Movie

More Book to Movie Inspiration:

You Might Also Like These Booklists:

– Haiku Books for Kids
– 10 Children’s Poets Your Kids Will Love
– Graphic Novels for Middle School
– Graphic Novels Elementary School
– Booklist for 5th and 6th Grades
– Booklist for 7th and 8th Grades

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Mary Wilson

Mary is a writer and mother to four kids ranging from elementary to high school.

She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.

She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

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1 thought on “The Best Children’s Books that are Family-Friendly Movies”

Karen
April 24, 2020 at

I love this! I reached you by way of an email newsletter from Raising Lifelong Learners. I am using the Robinson Curriculum for our homeschool but its emphasis is on very old books. I like to alternate those with more contemporary literature and pair it with a movie. This is so helpful and plus I didn’t realize that the Borrowers was a movie!! I loved that book as a kid. Thanks for your work on this resource!!