Skip to the main content
PeabodyMake a free story

Books by genre

Top 21 children's books that became movies

Kids often want to read the book once they have seen the film, and the reverse also works. These are books with film adaptations kids have seen, and the book is usually different in useful ways. Check whether your child is ready for the book's tone, which can be more serious than the movie.

Titles were chosen from award winners, ALSC notable lists and long-running library favorites, then each title and author was checked against Open Library in Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.

  1. Charlotte's Web

    E. B. White · Ages 6-10

    The spider-and-pig story that has been filmed several times.

    Watch for: Charlotte dies.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

    Roald Dahl · Ages 7-11

    Five children tour Willy Wonka's factory. Filmed in 1971 and 2005.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  3. Matilda

    Roald Dahl · Ages 7-11

    A girl with telekinetic powers faces a cruel headmistress.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  4. The BFG

    Roald Dahl · Ages 7-10

    A giant who catches dreams. Filmed in 2016.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  5. Fantastic Mr Fox

    Roald Dahl · Ages 6-9

    Wes Anderson's 2009 film adds a lot; the book is much shorter.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  6. Holes

    Louis Sachar · Ages 9-13

    Filmed in 2003, with the author writing the script.

    Watch for: Bullying.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  7. Stuart Little

    E. B. White · Ages 6-9

    A mouse born to a human family goes out to find a bird. The ending is open.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  8. The Sheep-Pig

    Dick King-Smith · Ages 6-10

    The book behind the film Babe.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  9. Because of Winn-Dixie

    Kate DiCamillo · Ages 8-11

    Filmed in 2005.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  10. Bridge to Terabithia

    Katherine Paterson · Ages 10-13

    Filmed in 2007; the book's tragedy is the heart of it.

    Watch for: A child dies.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  11. Coraline

    Neil Gaiman · Ages 9-13

    Filmed in stop motion in 2009.

    Watch for: Frightening.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  12. The Invention of Hugo Cabret

    Brian Selznick · Ages 8-12

    Part novel, part picture sequence. Filmed as Hugo in 2011.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  13. The Lightning Thief

    Rick Riordan · Ages 9-13

    Filmed in 2010 and as a TV series in 2023.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  14. Wonder

    R. J. Palacio · Ages 8-12

    Filmed in 2017.

    Watch for: Bullying.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  15. A Wrinkle in Time

    Madeleine L'Engle · Ages 9-13

    Filmed in 2003 and 2018.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  16. The Wild Robot

    Peter Brown · Ages 7-11

    Filmed as an animated feature in 2024.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  17. A Bear Called Paddington

    Michael Bond · Ages 5-9

    The 1958 book behind the Paddington films.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  18. Mary Poppins

    P. L. Travers · Ages 6-10

    The books are more cranky and magical than the 1964 film.

    Watch for: Some outdated language in early editions.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  19. Howl's Moving Castle

    Diana Wynne Jones · Ages 10-14

    The book behind the Studio Ghibli film.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  20. Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Jeff Kinney · Ages 8-12

    The doodle-style novel filmed from 2010.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

  21. The Spiderwick Chronicles

    Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black · Ages 8-12

    Illustrated fantasy of faeries. Filmed in 2008.

    Buy: Bookshop.org · Amazon

More lists

All 348 lists →