Hey Hollywood, Turn These Kids’ Books into Movies

There’s one thing every reader lives in fear of: finding out their favorite book is about to be turned into a movie. Will your favorite part get cut out? Is the person playing the main character good enough? Is the director going to do something stupid, like turn a single book into multiple unnecessary movies? Watching your beloved novels get adapted for the big screen is extremely stressful, especially when non-readers can’t understand the struggle. This problem can be even worse when Hollywood dares to turn your favorite childhood book into a summer blockbuster. But, if done right, seeing your favorite picture book on screen can be awesome. And it could lead to a whole new generation of fans enjoying your favorite childhood story. So, to celebrate the release today of classic bedtime book-turned-movie Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, here are ten of our favorite picture books that might make great movies. Ball’s in your court, Hollywood.
The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister
Can you even imagine how gorgeous this movie would look? I would see it just to get a look at Rainbow Fish’s scales. Aesthetics aside, this best-seller holds a special place in the hearts of anyone who’s ever gone to elementary school, making it a blockbuster for sure.
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
Admittedly, I’m not entirely sure how you would go about adapting this one. Animated? Live action? (Would that border too much on snuff film?) Regardless, this is a classic that needs to be a film, even if watching the tree get cut down could be borderline traumatic for children.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Name one person who doesn’t like this book. It’s just not possible. Imagine an adorable animated mouse going on adventures and collecting things. The script practically writes itself!
Make Way for Ducklings, by Robert McCloskey
For some reason people love seeing animals in urban environments (think Stuart Little or the Homeward Bound movies). So imagine how crazy people would get over a family of ducks living in Boston. Plus, just imagining the heartwarming final scene, when police officers get the ducks home safely, is making me tear up.
The Keeping Quilt, by Patricia Polacco
Polacco’s tribute to her family throughout the generations is a heartwarming story about tradition, love, and remembering where you came from. It’s just begging to be made into a feel-good family movie to be released on Christmas Day.
Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson
While Harold and the Purple Crayon was made into a TV series, we think it’s time to bring him to the big screen. Hollywood, please resist the urge to make this one computer-animated; a live-action Harold drawing the moon and going on adventures would be much more charming than a cartoon one.
Corduroy, by Don Freeman
Personally, I would pay good money to see a stuffed bear go on a hunt for his missing button in order to find a loving home. I mean, if this movie was done right, it could become an Odyssey-esque journey. Except targeted to kids, and starring a stuffed animal. Call me, Spielberg, I have ideas.
And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson
People love penguins. And people really love baby penguins. I would 100% pay to see a movie about two male penguins hatching an adorable little one of their own. What better way to teach kids acceptance toward all people and lifestyles than with penguins?
The Magic School Bus series, by Martin Schwabacher
How is it even possible that the fantastic Miss Frizzle hasn’t gotten her own live-action movie yet? A producer could pick literally any of the Magic School Bus books and make a great film out of them. Plus, when you Google “Magic School Bus movie” or “Miss Frizzle,” photos of Alex Kingston as River Song pops up, which would basically be the most fantastic casting ever. Listen up, Hollywood: the internet and I, and therefore the world, want this to happen!