| Reading a book from which a movie is made is almost | | | | adaptation. The movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of |
| always a richer experience than simply watching the | | | | Fire (PG-13), was released in theaters on November 18, |
| movie. The experience of savoring the words on the | | | | while the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the |
| page and allowing yourself to be taken on a journey | | | | Witch and the Wardrobe (PG) as released on |
| inspired by the author is sublime. As the author paints a | | | | December 9.As a family, take the opportunity to read |
| picture with words, your imagination fills in the blanks | | | | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire before watching |
| until the voices of the characters and the images of | | | | the movie. Discuss which scenes you think will make it |
| the settings resonate in your mind.After reading and | | | | into the movie and which they may have to cut. Have |
| thoroughly enjoying a well-written book, watching the | | | | family members choose favorite characters, and act |
| movie adaptation can be a interesting experience. The | | | | out some scenes from the book. These types of |
| voices and images from your imagination are | | | | activities build excitement and set the stage for seeing |
| juxtaposed by those created by the actors, the | | | | the movie together as a family. If you want to go all |
| director, and the cinematographer. It's not that the | | | | out, dress in costume to see the |
| experience of watching a movie adaptation is | | | | movie. Afterwards, discuss how the movie differed |
| necessarily bad - it's simply different. It presents a | | | | from the book, and, more importantly, how it differed |
| wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to your children | | | | from the scenes created in family members' |
| the difference between words on a page and images | | | | imaginations.You can follow the same process by |
| on a screen - and to have a great family experience in | | | | reading The Chronicles of Narnia prior to seeing the |
| the process.Almost without fail, your children will agree | | | | movie. Younger children may enjoy hearing the classic |
| that while they enjoyed the movie, the experience | | | | tale of Chicken Little prior to seeing the Disney movie |
| created by their own imagination is better. | | | | of the same name. Discuss the moral of the story, |
| Demonstrating to your child that their imagination is | | | | and, after watching the movie, talk about how the |
| more powerful than a hollywood blockbuster is a very | | | | storyline in the movie demonstrated the principles of |
| liberating and supportive exercise. Believe it or not, | | | | the classic.Brent Sitton is the founder of Discovery |
| going through this process of reading a great book and | | | | Journey, featuring Children's Book and Movie Reviews |
| seeing the movie actually reinforces your child's love of | | | | based on character traits. Reviews include character |
| reading and the use of their imagination!Between now | | | | trait examples and fun and educational Family |
| and the end of the year, there are two opportunities to | | | | Activities. |
| read a great book and then to see the movie | | | | |