The following movies have been deemed to be as good or better than the book they were based on. What do you think?
The Shining – the movie
The Shining – the book
Silence of the Lambs – the movie
The Silence of the Lambs – the book
The Godfather – the movie
The Godfather – the book
Fight Club – the movie
Fight Club – the book
Children of Men – the movie
Children of Men – the book
There Will Be Blood – the movie
Based on the book Oil! by Upton Sinclair
The library’s DVD collection (including regular and blue ray discs) grows rapidly and is often hard to keep up with. This holds true with the children’s collection just as much as it does with the family film and adult collections. There are feature films, favorite television shows (old and new), as well as educational programs. Here is just a small sample of some new DVD’s in the children’s room, though it barely scratches the surface!
Regular Show Fright Pack
The adventures of Mordecai and Rigby, two park groundskeepers who seek out various ways to escape the everyday boredom of their job.
Ivan the Incredible
After constantly being bullied by kids at school and ridiculed by his father, Ivan Olsen is given the chance to be the best at everything after a witch mixes him a magic potion.
Robot Zot
This is a tale of a robot determined to conquer the earth. But once discovers the princess – a toy cell phone – he must learn how to be a hero.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That. Hurray! It’s Valentine’s Day!
It’s Valentine’s Day with The Cat in the Hat, a great time to make friends with the Cat. Spend the whole day with wonderful friends in a place where adventure and fun never ends. Yes, friendship’s the key on this special day, and the Cat is the one who will lead the way.
Minnie’s The Wizard of Dizz
Minnie and Pluto end up in the silly but spectacular land of Dizz. It’s an amazing place, with rainbow trees, butterfly bows, and friendly ‘Chipmunchkins,’ but what Minnie wants most is to get home. Together, Minnie and her new friends Scarecrow Goofy, Mickey the Tin Mouse, and Donald the Lion, set off to ask the wonderful Wizard of Dizz to make their dreams come true. But look out! Bad Witch Pete wants Minnie’s magical, sparkly green shoes, and he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. Includes bonus features.
Fish ‘n Chips
Hilarious adventures of a young fish, Fish, and his nemesis Chips, a cat, as they tear across land and sea, facing off for the love of the same catfish and bones of Fish’s ancestor.
Phineas and Ferb, the Perry Files. Animal Agents
So you thought Perry the Platypus, a.k.a. Agent P, was the only crime-fighting animal in the Tri-State area? Meet Perry’s animal agent comrades who are all members of the O.W.C.A., ”Organization Without a Cool Acronym.” This hilarious collection of animal agent-themed adventures will leave viewers wanting to join forces with the O.W.C.A. to help shell out trouble for evil-doers.
Other new DVD’s that might catch you eye include: Ruby Gloom. Happiest Girl in the World, Wild Kratts. Rainforest Rescue, Farm Animals: Nature & Animals, Dino King 3D, VeggieTales. MacLarry & the Stinky Cheese Battle, American Girl. McKenna Shoots for the Stars, Bill Nye the Science Guy. Germs, Room on the Broom, The Saddle Club. Season 1 , and Chloe’s Closet. Outdoor Explorer.
Children’s author Barbara Park died at the age of 66 on Friday November 15th after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed with cancer seven years ago. Since then she and her husband, Richard, founded Sisters in Survival (“SIS”), a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that offers financial assistance to ovarian cancer patients. Random House said contributions can be made to www.sistersinsurvival.org.
Barbara Park was the author of the well-known and much-loved Junie B. Jones series. Starting in 1992, Park wrote more than 30 illustrated chapter books about the smart-mouthed girl with an ungrammatical opinion of everybody. The first book in the series is Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus. The Junie B. Jones character is well loved by many children and families, but not everyone approved of this trouble-prone character. Some parents and educators have been troubled by Jones’ language and cheeky ways, worrying that she was a bad example and might negatively influence her readers. The series has found itself on the American Library Association’s list of “challenged” books. Despite the trouble, according to Random House, Park’s books have sold more than 55 million copies in North America alone. The series has also been adapted into a popular musical theater production.
Parks was also the author of other award-winning novels and some bestselling picture books. These titles include: Dear God, help! Love, Earl, The Graduation of Jake Moon, Mick Harte Was Here, The Kid in the Red Jacket, Skinnybones, MA! There’s Nothing to Do Here!, and Psst! It’s me—the Bogeyman.
To find out more about this author’s life, and read some of her answers to children’s questions, check out her webpage at Random House here.
Summer may be a time for huge blockbuster action flicks, but as the kids settle back into school, autumn is a time for more peaceful reflection. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, some fresh-baked cookies, your favorite warm blanket, and curl up with one of these films that take place in the fall. You’ll be glad you did!
Dead Poet’s Society – Robin Williams as an inspiring teacher in a prep school. One of his best roles.
Rudy – Sean Astin in a true story about a boy who wanted to play football for Notre Dame.
On Golden Pond – Henry Fonda’s Oscar-winning role as a family tries to come back together before it’s too late.
The Four Seasons – an all-star cast leads this sweet Alan Alda film about a group of friends vacationing through a year. Gorgeous autumn scenery set to a soundtrack of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen directs this film about a family, beginning and ending with Thanksgiving.
The Big Chill – A group of old friends gather together for the funeral of one of their own, accompanied by a fabulous soundtrack.
Sweet November – a sweet little love story starring Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron.
The Trouble with Harry – Alfred Hitchcock’s frightful comedy about a body that won’t stay buried.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles – a John Hughes comedy starring Steve Martin as a man trying to make it home for Thanksgiving, when the world seems out to get him.
Far From Heaven – Connecticut in the fall of 1957, and the prejudices that existed.
Is your book club looking for a new theme to read? Everyone loves food! Below is a list of titles that will stimulate your brain and your appetite!
1. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
2. My Life in France by Julia Child
3. Heat: An Amateur’s Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany by Bill Buford
4. The Billionaire’s Vinegar: The Mystery of the World’s Most Expensive Bottle of Wine by Benjamin Wallace
5. I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence by Amy Sedaris
6. Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck
7. The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food by Judith Jones
8. The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry: Love, Laughter, and Tears in Paris at the World’s Most Famous Cooking Schoolby Kathleen Flinn
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