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And, Action! 5 Popular Children’s Book Characters You’ll Also Find on the Big Screen
If you have little ones at home, you are likely reminded daily which next soon-to-be blockbuster kid movie is hitting the theaters next. From Paddington to How to Train Your Dragon 2, every time a new movie is on the horizon, the kids can hardly wait. Granted, going to the movies is great, from the buttery popcorn and the requisite bag of gummies to the reclining seats. (Don’t lie, you’ve totally been tempted to take a quick catnap there. I mean, when else do you get a minute to close your eyes, right?)
But do your kids know which of their favorite bigger-than-life movie characters originated in a book? Here are five stars of the silver screen who began on the humble page.
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Paddington Bear (A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond)
This lovable bear was introduced to the world in Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington in 1958. His humorous antics captivated readers from the beginning, and many generations since have fallen in love with this extraordinary bear and his fondness for marmalade. In 2015 the movie Paddington was released, entrancing a new generation of children all over again with his now-big-screen foibles and adventures.
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The Lorax (The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss)
Dr. Seuss is iconic for his imaginative storytelling, and The Lorax is a beloved classic. The message it espouses, about the evils of deforestation and the importance of taking care of the natural world, is especially resonant today, though it’s been decades since Dr. Seuss first brought Truffula trees to life with his pen back in 1971. A film based on the book was released 2012, introducing a new generation of children to a cinematic depiction of the Lorax, a peaceful creature who speaks up for the trees. My middle son loves him so much that he dressed up as him for Halloween one year.
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Alexander (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst)
Everyone has had a day like Alexander’s in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst, and every kid can relate to him in some way, whether or not they woke up with gum in their hair. The book was published in 1972 and has been beloved through the years, though it didn’t make it onto the big screen until 2014. Alexander’s troubles in the book, from carpools to cavities, from tripping and falling to ruining your clothes, are pretty universal among young readers, making Alexander infinitely relatable in all his grouchy glory.
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Hiccup (The How to Train Your Dragon series, by Cressida Cowell)
In a family with three boys, anything with dragons is popular in my house. How to Train Your Dragon originated as a bestselling series by Cressida Cowell (the first book was published in 2003), and it is now an equally popular movie series (the first movie was released in 2010). Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a famous dragon trainer with humble roots, seems like an unlikely hero—but he is in fact an excellent role model for kids, thanks to his determination and hard work when it comes to the fine art of dragon training. This, plus the wonderful dragon-filled and action-packed world in which he lives, will keep young readers coming back for more.
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Harry Potter (The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling)
No list of kid’s book characters that have made a splash on the big screen can be complete without mentioning young Harry Potter. The first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, was published in 1997, and brought this character to life in the minds and hearts of her readers. The success of the books and subsequent movies (the first released four years after her debut book) is due in no small part to the relatability and vulnerability of Harry, which quickly endeared him to readers of every age. After all, who doesn’t love to pull for the underdog?
Who are your favorite page to screen children’s book characters?