Summer Reading and Movies

[Dia Minha]

I thought I would start a new thread on this subject, because it was getting mixed up with the Harry Potter poll.

I'm looking for books that have been made into movies for my children and I to read and watch on our trip to Oregon next week.

These are ones we are thinking about.

Holes
Chronicles of Narnia
Bridge to Teribithia
Charlote's Web (New Movie)
How to Eat Fried Worms

Does anyone else have any other suggestions. My children are ages 3-9.

Thanks Dia

PS Usually I hate to ask to borrow things, because I am always afraid of ruining them, before I get them back. I am also really bad about getting things returned in a timely manner. Knowing that is there anyone who has Holes, Charlotte's Web, or How to eat Fried Worms on DVD? They are all fairly new and the new ones are hard to get from the library. I would be extra careful with them. The kids will not be allowed to handle them at all. I will return them within 3 days of returning from our trip. If I don't I will charge myself $1 a day.

We have thought about searching for Red Box's that have these from here to Portland, but there would be a big chance that we would get there and they would be gone. So, the more we have on hand the better off we would be.

[Dia Minha]

Well, Red Box won't work, because they only do new releases and there is not a red box from here to Oregon that has any of those movies. However, it occurred to me, that Blockbuster has a no late fee policy. I can rent the movie for the week or two days if a new release and then keep it for a week after that with no extra charge. If I return it after that there is a $1.25 restocking fee. So I won't need to borrow any movies. We are just going to do it that way.

Thanks, Dia

PS I still need suggestions though.

[Erudite]

Originally Posted by smed

What a great idea Erudite! to find a book that your kids would like and read it to them through out the summer. Is this book have alot of pages, and would girls like it? My daughters ages are 7 and 5.

Watership Down is around 400 pages. My 11 and 8 year old have enjoyed it throroughly, but the 6 and 4 year old get bored in about 5 minutes. It might be one you want to read to them in a few years.

[Erudite]

Dia, I read 101 Dalmations to my kids two summers ago. It's by Dodie Smith. I remember reading it when I was kid and being so disappointed in the movie. They leave out so much. I thought the same when we read it again. It's VERY enjoyable, but I'm sure your kids have seen the movie.

Many of the Disney movies come from novels, so you might consider reading those books. I remember the Aristocats being good too.

Another GREAT series of books are by Lloyd Alexander. The first book is called The Book of Three. The second is the one that has a movie: The Black Cauldron. I've never seen that movie, so I can't say much about it, but the books are good. Kind of a kids version of The Lord of the Rings where the bad guys don't get such a starring role. These books follow Taran mostly and only deal with bad guys when he actually meets them, which isn't all that often. Mostly its just a great, occasionally funny, adventure story about a boy who chooses the right against some tough odds.

Again, I haven't seen this movie, but I understand there was one about the book Big Ben by Walt Morey.

Oh! Have you guys read Beauty by Robin McKinley? It's a retelling of the traditional Beauty and the Beast story. Its quite different from the Walt Disney version of the movie, but SUCH an excellent book! I haven't read it in years, so I can't guess if it'd be good for Smed's kids, but it might be.

[Dia Minha]

Great ideas Erudite. I was just beginning to get overwhelmed, because I had been trying to come up with ideas for my older children and I completely forgot that my two oldest are going up with Grandma so I would only have the 3 and 5 year old and the movies I was thinking wouldn't work as well with just them. I love the Disney idea.

I also found a few more if any one else is interested in doing this at their house. There is Hoot. I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but they both good really good reviews. There is also Meet the Robinsons which my kids have seen, but only once a while ago, and loved it. The movie is based on a book called A Day With Wibur Rogerson.

Dia

[sunrisegirl]

Charlie and the Chocolate factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach might be some good ones. I read them when I was younger and loved them.

[Dia Minha]

Great ideas Sunrise. I've read those to and had forgetten about them. Those movies would be easier to get at the library as well.

I also just came upon Curious George. Of course for my 3 and 5 year old. Has anyone seen the full length movie? Is it any good?

Dia

[sunrisegirl]

We have the movie of Curious George and you are more than welcome to borrow it! My kids love it and I love the music (Jack Johnson).

[Dia Minha]

Thanks for the offer Sunrise. The Salt Lake County libraries has that one so I will just put it on hold.

[smed]

IF you like Disney movies, I believe your looking for some for you youngest kids, I have many disney movies your welcome to. I don't know if you saw my other offer but I do have charolet's Web the new one, Chronicles of Narnia too. But if your looking for ones for a 3 and 5 I believe you said I have some others they might like.

[smed]

Oh! I almost forgot. I come Free of charge, and no late fees.

[Dia Minha]

Smed your funny. I have a really hard time borrowing things, because it seems like everything I touch falls apart, breaks, or gets damaged in some way. If I borrow anything from any of you, it has to be with the understanding that I will replace it if it gets damaged in any way. I might take you up on your offer though. Especially if you have any of the following, anyone else too, Bridge to Terabithia (2007), Meet the Robinsons (2007), Charlotte's Web (2006), or Holes on DVD. Those are the ones we were planning on renting. We eventually want to buy Terabithia, but we like to wait until we can get a previously viewed one, it is a lot cheaper that way.

Dia

[Mamallama]

We have Holes and Charlotte's Web----that you are welcome to borrow. When do you need them?

[Dia Minha]

You have Holes on DVD and you would let the Queen of destruction borrow it? I'm really not that bad. However I do have a fear of borrowing things. I would take really good care of it. That is if you are really willing. I would need it before next Thursday. Thanks

Dia

If you can't tell I have been working on my smiley usage. I don't think it is going to well.

[Dia Minha]

I was wondering why everyone was offering to loan me movies. I remember thinking about asking, but I thought I had decided against it. But, there it is, right there in my first post asking to borrow movies. I must have been a little out of it that day. Really I thought I took that little paragraph out before posting.

So thanks to you for all of your offers. I will take good care of them. I will get them back to you within three days of returning from the green lands of Oregon, as promised.

Dia