Category Archive

I may have recently made a bit of a subtle jab at the outbreak of children’s lit-related television and movie adaptations of the past few months, but I’m better now. Better enough to bring you the most recent trailer for The Tale of Despereaux:

The CGI looks pretty good, but will the film live up to the book’s high standard? We find out on December 19.

In what may be the slightest blog post ever, I bring you a hot off the presses photo from the up coming (and reshooting) “Where the Wild Things Are” film:

A possible poster image?

Click here to see the photo in its natural habitat.

(Thanks to MTV for the link)

In a stunning move, the International Children’s Literature Commissioner announced this morning that there will henceforth be no more television and movie adaptations of beloved kids books.

Citing oversaturation, the Commissioner explained that the ban would last one year, or until “People have a chance to write more stuff.” In front of a packed audience, a tired looking Commissioner rattled off a list of popular children’s titles that would soon be making the transition.

“Olivia, Scaredy Squirrel, Where the Wild Things Are. Sadly, that’s just the recent picture book tally.”

After taking a moment to regain his composure, the Commissioner continued.

“Okay, chapter books: City of Ember, Geronimo Stilton, Ranger’s Apprentice, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Tale of Despereaux, Guardians of Ga’Hool, I could continue.” Muted gasps were audible among the crowd.

When questioned about his reasons for the ban, the Commissioner responded by saying,

“We’ve got to be proactive. Some of these books should stay books. I’ve got five words for you: Love You Forever the movie.” The assembled crowd nodded in quiet understanding.

Looks like Scaredy Squirrel will soon be making the gentle glide to the small screen. From Publishers Weekly:

Kids Can Press has inked a deal with Nelvana Studios and Nelvana Entertainment to develop the character of Scaredy Squirrel, star of three picture books by Mélanie Watt, into a TV series.

After mulling over the idea, I have to say that I think it would make good TV. Scaredy would translate well into an animated series. We’ll find out soon.

(Thanks to Publishers Weekly for the link)

Why did “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” break the bank while “Golden Compass” underperformed in the U.S.? That’s the question Time magazine aims to answer as “Prince Caspian” hits theaters. Click the image below to read all about it.

City of Ember: dystopian children’s lit masterpiece? Agreed. Film masterpiece? We shall see. Take a look at the just-released trailer:

Lina and Doon are a bit older than I imagined, and the mayor (Bill Murray) is a bit more slender, but all in all it don’t seem too shabby an effort.

As you may know from the fat red X’ed calendar in my kitchen, “The City of Ember” film will be released on October 10, 2008. Take a first look at the official poster - not to be confused with the movie “banner” - comin’ to a lobby near you soon.

(Click on the image to head over to Cinimatical, who has a larger picture and more scoop on the movie)

“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” fell into the rather large category of kids books turned movies where I thought, “I might be disappointed, so I’ll pass for now”. *cough* Golden Compass *cough*. Well, I’ve got some catching up to do. The next installment in the series is making its way to silver screens on May 16. Take a look at the most recent trailer for “Prince Caspian”

Movie versions of kids books can be a double edged sword. One one side, a silver screen adaptation is a sure bet for generating interest in the book. On the other hand - the movie is usually no good. A shame really. If you haven’t yet seen “Horton Hears a Who”, take a gander at some of the reviews below:

First off, the trailer:

So what are folks saying about the flick?

Click here to read the Horn Book review.

Click here to read the New York Times review.

Click here to see what Metacritic had to say.

This just in: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is blowing up like Dante’s Peak. Let’s hope the silver screen version turns out better than that ill advised volcano movie. Yes indeed, Greg Heffley my be coming to a theater near you. Here’s the word from Publishers Weekly:

Fox 2000 has bought film rights for Jeff Kinney’s bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Abrams/Amulet). Nina Jacobson will produce the live-action movie; a director and screenwriter are still to be named.

I may be able to hear grownup admirers of Jeff Kinney’s work yelling “NOOO” at this very moment. Either that or it’s the kids yelling “YEEAAH”. My hearing isn’t what it used to be.

*Update* The outstanding blog Bookshelves of Doom posted a link to this story in Variety - click here to read more.

I always worry when I hear that a children’s book is in the process of being adapted for the silver screen. I’m concerned that the movie won’t do the book justice, and everyone will leave the theater thinking, “That movie was terrible, and even though I haven’t read it, I’m now qualified to declare that the book is terrible too!”. I’m guessing that this film won’t run into that problem. Everyone knows about “Where the Wild Things Are”, and aside from a classmate in a children’s lit class a few years back saying “I don’t know why anyone would like that book (!?)” , it gets universal love. This one will face the problem of how to make a 32 pager into a feature-length.

However, I’m feeling pretty good about this adaptation due to the folks writing the screenplay: Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers. It also sounds like Maurice Sendak had a good amount of input as well. We’ll see the results of this “recasting of a children’s story” in mid ‘09.

An unrelated side note: Incredible Hulk cover inspired by “Where the Wild Things Are”? (from ibarbar)

(click the thumbnail to enlarge)

Click here to read more about the film (from Publishers Weekly).

Click here to visit “Where the Wild Things Are” on the Internet Movie Database

I first heard mention of Martin Scorsese buying the rights to “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” a couple of days after the Caldecott announcement. My reaction was surprise - I figured if anyone, maybe Jon Favreau would give it a shot, but Marty? I tried to just sort of ignore the news for a bit, wait to see if it would be confirmed. Turns out it’s true. Brian Selznick himself ratifies the rumor over at School Library Journal. I have to say I’m pleased. Who would you rather have translate “Cabret” to the silver screen than one of the greatest living filmmakers? Click the logo below to see for yourself.

Wow. Film adaptations of kids books just keep on coming. We’ve discussed The Spiderwick Chronicles and The City of Ember (twice) in these pages, with excitement building for both. Now it appears that the Fantasy series “Ranger’s Apprentice” will be gracing the silver screen as well. Here’s the word from Publishers Weekly:

Film rights for the Ranger’s Apprentice series by Australian author John Flanagan have been optioned by United Artists Films. Director and producer Paul Haggis will adapt and direct a series of movies, in a seven-figure deal.

While I haven’t been able to get into it myself, this series has been very hot with the 5th and 6th graders that I work with. This makes me think that they’ve got a possible hit on their hands, because 5th and 6th graders somehow manage to see just about every movie that is released (I’m not sure how they accomplish this). Time shall tell. No release date yet.

For reasons I’ve mentioned before on these very pages, I am waiting on the film adaptation of “The City of Ember” with an unusual amount of anticipation. In my opinion, the story will translate very well onto the silver screen. Yes, in the horse race of children’s lit movie adaptations, it’s my pony. I’m putting my faith that the folks guiding this one into theaters are going to come out victorious. We’ll find out for sure when the masses lay their money down on October 10, 2008.

Perusing the wonderful children’s lit blog BookMoot, I was delighted to find a couple recently released stills from the film. Click here to see Bill Murray in the role he was born to play.

For those of you suffering “Golden Compass” withdrawal, fear not. Another children’s lit adaptation is humming along toward its date of release. This time, the film in question is based on the outstanding fantasy series “The Spiderwick Chronicles” by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. As I’ve noted in the past, I can be a bit skeptical about silver screen interpretations of children’s books, and “Spiderwick” is no different. Will justice be done? Watch the trailer below and start placing your bets!

In theaters February 15, 2008.

(Ringing a giant bell) Here ye, here ye, all lovers of kidlit adapted for the silver screen: The City of Ember, the wonderful sci-fi/dystopia book by Jeanne Duprau is quietly being turned into a film. Now I am not what you would call a lover of most children’s books turned flicks. In fact, I have made it an unspoken rule to avoid them at all costs: Narnia? Nope, Tarabithia? Try again, Snicket? Ok, you got me. But City of Ember has me excited for two reasons:

1. The cast looks like a winner (but it’s the role of Lina that will make or break).

2. The story just seems so … movieable?

Now all we have to do is wait 10 months.