Making Headlines

Getting children to read can prove to be a difficult task, but there are many researchable tips and strategies to promote reading. A very popular strategy that has helped promote children to read is by letting them read a book that has been adapted into a movie. Michele Borba, an educational psychologist, has an excellent tip on her website. Michele Borba suggests that children become movie critics through reading.

How can a child become a movie critic? A child can watch the movie and then read the book or read the book and then watch the movie. Once a child has completed reading the book and watching the movie or vice versa, he/she can compare and contrast the two. Did your child like the movie or the book better? What were the differences between the two?

The great thing about books adapted into movies is that no ages or genres are ignored. Parents can find a list of movies that have been adapted from books on this Wikipedia page. Interested in what movies will be released based on books? Check out this website. Four of the movies listed in the website that will be sure to get kids excited are:

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians; The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
• City of Bones; Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
• Hunger Games; Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
• the second installment of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Reading a book that has or will be adapted into a movie is a great way to get your child excited about books. Make sure that the books and movies are age appropriate.