Read the story and watch the film! These chapter books made into movies are fun for kids of all ages and their parents.
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Reading a book and then watching the movie can be a fun way to get more out of a story. While most people will say the book is always better, this can make books more exciting for a reluctant reader. It’s also a great way to turn story time into a family activity.
Below we’ve collected a list of kids’ chapter books perfect for kids in elementary school. Choose a story to read aloud (or listen to the audiobook), then watch the movie it inspired.
Afterward, discuss how the film and book are different. Or dig deeper to get your kids talking. Here are some questions to get you started:
- Who is your favorite character? Is it the same person in both?
- Did the setting look how you imagined it? How was it different?
- Why do you think the filmmakers changed a specific part of the story?
- If you were going to turn this book into a movie, what would you do differently?
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Kids’ books with movies
Links go to the book listing on Amazon. Most of the films are available on various streaming services. Check your library for both the book and movie!
Artemis Fowl
Book: Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer
Movie: Artemis Fowl, 2020 (PG)
When 12-year-old criminal genius Artemis discovers the fairy realm, he finds himself in an epic battle. The book is the first in a series and the movie is a standalone.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Book: A Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket
Movie: A Series of Unfortunate Events, 2004 (PG)
The Baudelaire orphans are on a quest to find out what happened to their parents, but the mysterious Count Olaf will do anything to get their inheritance. There are 13 books in the series. The first 3 are combined in the film. There is also a 2017 series from Netfilx that covers the entire series.
A Wrinkle in Time
Book: A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle
Movie: A Wrinkle in Time, 2003 (PG) and 2018 (PG)
Meg, along with her little brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin, embark on a magical adventure to find Meg's missing scientist father.
Beezus and Ramona
Book: Beezus and Ramona, by Beverly Cleary
Movie: Ramona and Beezus, 2010 (G)
Beezus wants to be a normal tween with friends, school, and responsibilities. But her little sister Ramona is full of mischief and adventure. This book series has 8 books and the film draws from the series as a whole.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl
Movie: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 1971 (G) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2005 (PG)
Charlie wins a trip to the chocolate factory along with his Grandpa Joe. There he meets a cast of other children, who each have different goals for their adventure, and the owner Willy Wonka, who has a secret to reveal at the end.
Charlotte's Web
Book: Charlotte's Web, by EB White
Movie: Charlotte's Web, 1973 animated (G) and 2006 live-action (G)
Wilbur is a small pig on a farm who just wants a friend. When he meets Charlotte the spider, she befriends him and weaves a plan to protect him and ensure everyone knows how special he is.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney
Movie: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, 2010 live-action (PG) and 2021 animated (PG)
Greg is starting middle school, where he'll have to figure out classes, bullies, and his family. The book and both types of movies are series.
Holes
Book: Holes, by Louis Sachar
Movie: Holes, 2003 (PG)
Stanley Yelnats is the victim of a family curse that goes back generations. When he's unfairly sent to detention camp, he make friends and discovers that the holes they're digging are part of something bigger.
Howl's Moving Castle
Book: Howl's Moving Castle, by Dianne Wynne Jones
Movie: Howl's Moving Castle, 2004 animated (PG)
Sophie is reluctant to work in her family's hat business. When a witch turns her into an old woman, Sophie befriends the mysterious wizard Howl and begins a whimsical adventure.
How to Train Your Dragon
Book: How to Train Your Dragon, by Cressida Cowell
Movie: How to Train Your Dragon, 2010 animated (PG)
To pass his viking initiation, Hiccup must capture and train a dragon. He and his friends go on many adventures to become brave heroes. This book is the first in a series of 12. There are 2 sequel films based very loosely on the series.
Inkheart
Book: Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke
Movie: Inkheart, 2008 (PG)
When Meggie's dad reads aloud from a book, the villain of the story comes to life. Soon Meggie finds herself in the middle of a fairytale adventure. This book is the first in a series of 4.
Matilda
Book: Matilda, by Roald Dahl
Movie: Matilda, 1996 (PG)
Matilda is a sweet, brilliant little girl who loves to read. Her parents and the school principal are bullies, but Matilda discovers that she has a secret power that can stop them.
Mr. Popper's Penguins
Book: Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Forence and Richard Atwater
Movie: Mr. Popper's Penguins, 2011 (PG)
Mr. Popper is surprised to find a penguin delivered to his doorstep. As more and more arrive, his life changes dramatically to care for the charming birds.
The Bad Guys
Book: The Bag Guys, by Aaron Blabey
Movie: The Bad Guys, 2022 animated (PG)
Four animals with reputations for being bad guys are ready to show the world that they can be good guys. There are 20 books in this illustrated series.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians
Book: The Hundred and One Dalmatians, by Dodie Smith
Movie: 101 Dalmations, 1961 animated (G) and 1996 live-action (G)
When Cruella de Vil steals a litter of puppies, its up to their parents to rescue them.
The Tale of Despereaux
Book: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread, by Kate DiCamillo
Movie: The Tale of Despereaux, 2008 animated (G)
Despereaux is a tiny mouse in love with a princess. Along with a rat and a serving girl, he must go on an adventure through the castle to save the kingdom.
The Wild Robot
Book: The Wild Robot, by Peter Brown
Movie: The Wild Robot 2024 animated (PG)
When Roz the robot wakes in a forest, she must learn to survive by adapting to her environment and befriending the animals there.
Wonder
Book: Wonder, by RJ Palacio
Movie: Wonder, 2017 (PG)
Auggie was born with a facial difference. When he starts public school for the first time in fifth grade, everyone around him will struggle with empathy and acceptance. Auggie and those who know him will learn that everyone is looking for the same things: friendship and the freedom to be yourself.
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