Our last fight pitted child heroes against one another, with Mama Mia & Katniss Everdeen versus Terri Mauro & Kevin McCalister the last ones standing. It forced Iree to choose Mama Mia in the tie-breaker. This week Mama Mia asks: What is the best movie adaptation of a beloved childrens book?
Hmm, tricky question! Comic books aren't always written for children, but, some can definitely be considered children's books. I happen to know and love a teenage boy who recently paid good money at a comics shop for a TMNT comic book. He cherishes it dearly, probably because it brings him back to his boyhood days (geez, I'm feeling teary just thinking about it ♡). I suppose a comic book would qualify if that comic book is a cherished, dearly loved story and it sparks pangs of nostalgia deep in the recesses of your heart, yes. If others disagree, we could vote on it.
I was trying to decide between three different movies, and realized that the one I love the most is also (IMO) the best adaptation because it takes what was a disappointing book with an unlikable main character and adapted it into something extremely fun, cozy, and lovable -- and even more shocking is to find myself on the side of Disney (gasp!) against an original book.
"Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor was the first book my reluctant-reader son really loved, and he still remembers the movie version also, decades later. It has great performances by Scott Wilson as Judd, the kind of neighbor you'd best not rile, and Michael Moriarty as the father of a boy whose love for a dog in danger promises to start the kind of trouble hard-working grown-ups would prefer to avoid (https://youtu.be/5sOBwwMs0nY?si=b-jbuIpllvHAJOiK). Though of course we're all going to root for the boy and the dog, both the book and the movie made me feel such sympathy for that dad.
Well if it's still on the table I'll snatch up Anne of Green Gables (1985, Megan Fallows version). Made me want to read it even. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088727/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_anne%2520of%2520green%2520
Here's a monkey wrench into the gears: Are comic books considered children's books?
Hmm, tricky question! Comic books aren't always written for children, but, some can definitely be considered children's books. I happen to know and love a teenage boy who recently paid good money at a comics shop for a TMNT comic book. He cherishes it dearly, probably because it brings him back to his boyhood days (geez, I'm feeling teary just thinking about it ♡). I suppose a comic book would qualify if that comic book is a cherished, dearly loved story and it sparks pangs of nostalgia deep in the recesses of your heart, yes. If others disagree, we could vote on it.
Charlotte's Web (the 1973 version). I read that book as a child and I've read it to my children, and I think it's marvelous!
Little Women hands down. The one with Wynnona Rider. Still can't watch without crying. Anne of Green Gables would be a close second.
I was trying to decide between three different movies, and realized that the one I love the most is also (IMO) the best adaptation because it takes what was a disappointing book with an unlikable main character and adapted it into something extremely fun, cozy, and lovable -- and even more shocking is to find myself on the side of Disney (gasp!) against an original book.
So, Mary Poppins.
There are many good ones, but my vote is for How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (the animated 1966 TV movie, based on the 1957 book). A true classic!
And the winner this week is Kris with Charlotte's Web. Congratulations, Kris, you get to choose Monday's question.
"Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor was the first book my reluctant-reader son really loved, and he still remembers the movie version also, decades later. It has great performances by Scott Wilson as Judd, the kind of neighbor you'd best not rile, and Michael Moriarty as the father of a boy whose love for a dog in danger promises to start the kind of trouble hard-working grown-ups would prefer to avoid (https://youtu.be/5sOBwwMs0nY?si=b-jbuIpllvHAJOiK). Though of course we're all going to root for the boy and the dog, both the book and the movie made me feel such sympathy for that dad.