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Best kids TV shows based on books
A TV series can bring a book to a child who is not ready to read it, or stretch a story beyond one volume. These series are based on books and are liked by parents and critics.
Chosen from Common Sense Media and public broadcasting lists; series and source books checked on Wikipedia, 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.
Arthur
Based on Marc Brown's books · Ages 4-8
Aardvark and friends handle school and family life with humor; ran on PBS for 25 seasons.
Buy: Amazon
Curious George
Based on H. A. and Margret Rey's books · Ages 3-6
Gentle science and math problems for a mischievous monkey.
Buy: Amazon
Clifford the Big Red Dog
Based on Norman Bridwell's books · Ages 3-6
Short stories about being a good friend, with Clifford as a gentle giant.
Buy: Amazon
The Magic School Bus
Based on Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen's books · Ages 5-9
Ms. Frizzle's class takes a bus into the human body, space and rivers.
Buy: Amazon
Little Bear
Based on Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak's books · Ages 3-6
Slow, quiet stories of a bear's day.
Buy: Amazon
Franklin
Based on Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark's books · Ages 3-6
A turtle faces small worries such as a lost toy or a new friend.
Buy: Amazon
Berenstain Bears
Based on Stan and Jan Berenstain's books · Ages 3-7
A family of bears learns lessons about sharing and honesty.
Buy: Amazon
Charlie and Lola
Based on Lauren Child's books · Ages 3-7
Big brother and small sister; warm, funny and drawn like a collage.
Buy: Amazon
Wishbone
Inspired by classic literature · Ages 6-10
A terrier acts out classic novels such as Oliver Twist; ran on PBS in the 1990s.
Buy: Amazon
Anne with an E
Based on L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables · Ages 11-15
A darker version of the orphan-girl story; rated TV-PG, for tweens and up.
Watch for: Includes abuse, bullying and grief.
Buy: Amazon
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Based on Rick Riordan's novels · Ages 10-14
The Disney+ series, closer to the books than the 2010 films; rated TV-PG.
Watch for: Some fantasy violence.
Buy: Amazon
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Based on Lemony Snicket's novels · Ages 10-14
Netflix series with a deadpan narrator; rated TV-PG.
Watch for: Dark, with orphans and peril.
Buy: Amazon
Hilda
Based on Luke Pearson's graphic novels · Ages 6-11
A blue-haired girl explores a world of trolls and giants; rated TV-Y7.
Buy: Amazon
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