Some adaptations stay very close to the original story. Take Julia Donaldson’s beloved books like The Gruffalo or Room on the Broom. These stories are often adapted word for word, keeping the same rhymes, characters, and adventures. The animations bring the books to life without changing the story, allowing fans to enjoy their favourite tales just as they were written. The visual art adds colour and movement but stays true to the magic of the original words.

Other times, adaptations take a lot of creative freedom. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell is a great example. The movie version is very different from the book—characters have new personalities, the plot is completely changed, and even the dragons look different! Yet, both the book and the movie tell wonderful stories in their own unique ways. The movie creates an exciting world full of action and friendship, while the book offers humour and imagination in a different form.

Then there are adaptations like Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, where movies try to follow the books but still have to leave out some details because of time. Some fans feel sad when their favourite scenes are missing, while others enjoy seeing how the magical world is brought to life on screen.

So, should movie makers stick closely to the book, or is it okay to make big changes? How do these changes affect the story and the way we feel about it? Whether it’s a word-for-word adaptation or a creative reimagining, both books and movies can tell amazing stories. If you could adapt your favourite book into a movie, would you keep every detail the same or add your own twist to make it even more exciting? Tell us in the comments or send an email!

Below is a list of the books mentioned plus a list of other book adaptations.

For All Ages

1. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson → The Gruffalo (Animated Short Film)
2. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson → Room on the Broom (Animated Short Film)
3. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White → Charlotte’s Web (1973, 2006)
4. Matilda by Roald Dahl → Matilda (1996), Matilda the Musical (2022)
5. The BFG by Roald Dahl → The BFG (1989, 2016)
6. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss → The Lorax (2012)
7. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell → How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
8. Coraline by Neil Gaiman → Coraline (2009)
9. Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter → Peter Rabbit (2018, 2021)
10. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket → Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004), Netflix series (2017–2019)

Adaptations from Older Kids/Young Teen Books

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling → Harry Potter Series (2001–2011)
2. Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan → Percy Jackson (2010, 2013), Disney+ series (upcoming)
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins → The Hunger Games (2012–2015)
4. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis → The Chronicles of Narnia (2005–2010)
5. Eragon by Christopher Paolini → Eragon (2006)
6. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson → Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
7. Wonder by R.J. Palacio → Wonder (2017)
8. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer → Artemis Fowl (2020)
9. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black → The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
10. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett → The Secret Garden (multiple versions, most recently in 2020)