Blogging A to Z: Pair a Book with its Movie

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to reach a reluctant reader. And sometimes the answer is staring you in the face! I want to stress that every child is unique. So what works for some might not work for others and vice versa. I think one of the easiest suggestions is to pair a book with its movie or TV show!

There are dozens and dozens of books translated to the big (and small) screen. It’s just about finding something that interests your child and reading and watching together. I don’t even know if I personally would care which to engage with first – the book or the movie. I’ve definitely watched books and later seen the film, but I’ve also seen movies only to realize it was a book first and went back to read it.

Book to Movie Suggestions

Let me offer a few suggestions that might really work for getting reluctant readers to scoop up a book!

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid – This is an insanely popular book series and has two different film versions – live-action and computer-animated!
• Bad Guys – another insanely popular series in my library! This is a brand-new movie that is being released in just a couple of days on April 22. I think this movie is going to be absolutely hysterical based on the previews!
• The One and Only Ivan – This Newbery Award winning book is one that kids really liked as well! Check out the movie by the same name released in 2020.
• Flora & Ulysses – One of the most crazy plots in a book, this movie has got to be just as bananas!
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs – This is a perfect example of how the film industry took a picture book and turned it into a feature-length film.
• The BFG – This was one of my favorite read aloud as a kid and although I haven’t seen the newer 2016 movie, it’s on my list!
• Jumanji – your kids might already be familiar with these movies, but did you also know it was a book?

Don’t forget that part of being a reader is talking about what you read. So take the time to compare the similarities and differences between the text and the adaptation. Ask your child which they preferred and why!

For the month of April, I’ll be sharing tips for reaching reluctant readers as part of the Blogging A to Z Challenge. There are dozens of reasons why a child might be considered a “reluctant reader.” As summer nears, continued reading practice helps students to keep the reading skills they learned while reading for fun. But, that’s not easy when a child doesn’t want to sit down and read. I’ll be sharing 26 tips to meet reluctant readers where they are. And hopefully find a way to make reading bearable, if not even something they want to do!