Friday Faves: Childhood Movies based on Books

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Friday Faves is a feature where I share whatever bookish thing I saw or share books I read during the week.

Are you a movie buff like me?  Well, to tell you the truth, before I was actively into reading , I was a movie buff.  In fact, I remember seeing The Sound of Music when I was four (I was always comparing myself to little Gretl who was five).  I loved watching movies.  In fact, I still do.  Despite being a reader, I still haven’t read books based on my favorite childhood movies.  Crazy, right?  Unfortunately, I might have to hold on to this and read this when the time is right (e.g. when I have a child of my own).  Here are a few childhood movies that I love (and still do) based on books.  I can name 15 of my faves.

1. The Princess Bride by William Goldman – Don’t you just love Princess Buttercup?  As you wish?  Isn’t that awfully familiar?  The Princess Bride has become a cult classic and despite seeing the movie, I still haven’t read it.  My wish is that I would be able to read this soon.  It is available for FREE on Goodreads, by the way.
2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl – Forget Johnny Depp and the new “psychedelic like” Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  I am talking about THE Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder.  The sweet innocence of the movie just about blew me away.  The yummy candy garden with the chocolate stream was unforgettable, especially for a child like me (LOL).  And I love the song Pure Imagination.  When he ate that teacup in the end of the song was amazing, too.  Right?
3. Charlotte’s Webb by E.B. White – This is another movie that was redone with Dakota Fanning.  Dakota is cute and all but I am talking about the animated version of Charlotte’s Webb.  I remember loving that scruffy rat Templeton and his antics when he went to the fair with Charlotte and Wilbur!
4. The BFG by Roald Dahl – Don’t you just love him?  I love Sophie and her British accent.  Love the adventures that she went through with the BFG.  I also love that he sew clothes for her.  But I hate that I haven’t read this book yet.
5. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle – I think this was the first serious anime movie that I have ever seen.  I love this movie.  Simply animated but well done.  I would really want to read it!
6. Mary Poppins Series by P.L. Travers – Who doesn’t love Julie Andrews?  I love this movie with Dick Van Dyke.  Love the songs and the animated backdrop when they entered the painting.  There are a lot of interesting characters in this movie and I would think that this book (series) would be amazing!
7. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum – When it comes to movies and reading (and useless info, for that matter), I am such a geek.  For example, I know that Frank L. Baum chose the name Oz based on the encyclopedia O-Z.  Oh, and that the ruby slippers weren’t really ruby at all!  Amazing, isn’t it?
8. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll – I have seen a lot of adaptations of this popular book: from Disney’s animated musical to a non-cartoon movie, to a Care Bears version.  Still, I haven’t actually read the book Alice and Through the Looking Glass!
9.  The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame – Who doesn’t love these characters?  This was the first time I had seen a toad drive, though!  LOL
10. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – I am also not talking about the newest Disney version but the old one AND the Muppets version.
11. Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg – An amazing and unique movie!  I would assume that this book would blow my mind!
12. Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie – I have also seen multiple versions: from Disney’s animated movie to the one based on the play and Hook with Robbin Williams.  This movie blew me away.  I do believe in fairies.  I do!
13. Matilda by Roald Dahl – The cute Mara Wilson as Matilda with Danny De Vito as her father!  Wasn’t this movie fun and scary at the same time?
14. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks – I remember that I saw this movie in the theater and was blown away.  Although I don’t normally play with Indian figures (yes, I was a girlie girl), I loved the movie!
15. The Witches by Roald Dahl – I remember Angelia Houston here!

I have noticed that I have picked quite a few books by Roald Dahl.  I think this is a sign for: GO AND READ HIS BOOKS ASAP!

So readers, have you seen any of the films above?  Have you read any of them?  What childhood film based on a book have you seen but haven’t read yet?  Share your thoughts below.

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