Best Children’s Book Adaptations

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Published on Thursday, 15 October 2015 11:09

Last Updated on 14 October 2015

Monica Costa

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Here at London Mums we cannot get enough of films and books. Here are the best Children’s Book Adaptations.

Childrens book adaptations have always been a huge hit among critics and families alike, and with the release of Joe Wright’s new magical adventure PAN on Friday, we’ve taken a look at some of the best children’s book adaptations.

 

Matilda

 

A Roald Dahl classic from 1988 that stole our hearts both in writing and on the big screen with the smart, funny, young Matilda who is part of a family in which she feels she does not quite belong. Matilda discovers she has some interesting powers, which, refreshingly, she uses to good use to try and defeat the evil Miss Trunchball.

 

Harry Potter

 

No list would be complete without mentioning J.K.Rowling’s books, which won over the nation with the story of the adventures of best friends Harry, Hermoine, and Ron at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. In each of these books, and the subsequent films, we see the trio grow up and endure many trials and tribulations that challenge both their friendship and their wizardry.

Charlotte’s Web

 

A touching story about a little piglet named Wilbur who is sold to a farm. Desperate for companionship after being ignored by the other farm animals, Wilbur befriends a barn spider named Charlotte. As Wilbur discovers he is going to be slaughtered, new friend Charlotte promises to help him make a plan to spare his life. After Charlotte sadly dies helping to save Wilbur, Wilbur decides to look after her eggs she has left behind, an adorable story originating from E. B. White’s novel in 1952.

 

The Chronicles Of Narnia

 

C.S. Lewis’s fantasy novels are a great addition to this list; the seven novels are set in the magical Narnia, full of mythical beasts and talking animals. The children in the novels and films are all from the real world, transported magically to the world of Narnia where Aslan, the lion, calls upon the children to help him protect Narnia from evil.

 

 

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

 

Dr Seuss’ novel is probably most known for the fantastic adaptation in 2000 starring Jim Carrey. Set in Whoville we learn of the story of the Grinch and why he seems to hate Christmas so much. As he tries to ruin Christmas once and for all for all the Who’s in Whoville, an unexpected friendship arises between himself and little Cindy Lou, the adorable little girl who believes no one should be alone at Christmas; a festive treat for everyone.

 

The Jungle Book

 

Following the journey of Mowgli, Rudyard Kipling uses a fable form throughout his novel to teach moral life lessons through the animals present. Wolves, Baloo the bear, and Bagheera the blank panther, raise Mowgli, until the man-eating tiger Sheerkan returns threatening his world. Mowgli must now return to the ‘man-village’, but not without the help from Baloo and Bagheera along the way.

 

Oliver Twist

 

The oldest edition to the list, written by Charles Dickens in 1837, we see the story of orphan Oliver Twist who escapes from his life working in a workhouse and travels to London where he meets the infamous Artful Dodger who introduces him in to their gang of pick pockets run by Fagin and the adventures unfold. This book and film definitely leaves us asking for more!

 

A Series Of Unfortunate Events

 

A fantastic series of books by the mysterious Lemony Snicket, telling the story of orphans Violet, Klaus and Sunny whose parents are tragically killed in a fire that destroyed their whole home. To add insults to injury, they then have the awful Count Olaf leaving no rock un-turned to try and inherit their fortune left to them by their parents. The novels and film portray the orphans’ misfortune as they manage to out-smart Count Olaf at every opportunity, only to see him pop up time and time again.

 

James And The Giant Peach

 

Another Roald Dahl entry of the story of protagonist James Trotter whose parents are sadly killed by a rhinoceros that escaped. James is forced to live with his two evil aunts after the death of his parents and is treated cruelly by the pair of them. Until, one afternoon James encounters a strong old man who gives him a magic potion, on his route home James accidentally spills the magic potion on a peach tree, causing one of the peaches to grow to the size of a house. James aunts see this as an opportunity to make money, selling tickets to see the famous giant peach. James discovers a hidden room within the peach where life sized insects are living, as the insects begin to eat through the peach, he falls of the cliffs of dover in to the sea with James and the insects inside, and so their adventure across the Atlantic Ocean to New York City begins.

 

Peter Pan

Last, but by no means least, we have J.M. Barrie’s originally novel of Peter Pan, originally published in 1911 as Peter and Wendy. This famous children’s story has seen many adaptations, from Walt Disney’s Peter Pan to Steven Spielberg’s Hook, to the most recent magical PAN adaptation by Joe Wright. This version of the story is the most unique yet, taking us back to the very beginning, where Peter first arrives in Neverland and where Hook is actually friend, not foe.

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