Books as Feature Films

Matilda
It had been a few years since I had last watched Matilda when I began reading this book, so I didn't immediately notice the differences. However, shortly after completing it, Matilda came on TV, and I watched it again. While some liberties were taken when making the movie, the plot and characters are basically true to Roald Dahl's original work.

Matilda is such a loveable little creature. She is the perfect child--who is completely unappreciated by her parents. In fact, how a child like her could come from such a family is difficult to imagine. Throughout the story Matilda works to harness her gifts. Despite the situation in her family and her very young age, Matilda is quite confident. She does not back down to others. I admire her confidence and the balance that Miss Honey provides. She encourages Matilda to learn to use her gifts wisely--good advice even for those of us with less impressive gifts.

This book is fun to read. The magic and fantasy is appealing to most young readers. Also appealing is the triumph of good over bad--especially when the bad is the principal. There is a happy ending for all.

Ella Enchanted
My children and I have loved watching this movie. Since first seeing the movie in the theatre, I have wanted to read the book, but never taken the time. This seemed the perfect opportunity. I was surprised, but not disappointed. Surprised because the only thing that about the book that really resembles the movie is the names of the characters and their personality traits. Beyond that, the details of the plot and the way the story plays out are completely different. However, I was not disappointed. Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine, is enchanting. I looked forward to returning to this book and discovering what would happen next.

There are many things about this book that I like. First, I enjoy fairy tales where good triumph and stories that end in happily ever after. This is certainly one of those. That has always been my nature. There are some very valuable lessons within the pages of Ella Enchanted. Perhaps the most obvious is that something that sounds good may not work out so well in its execution. Lucinda's spells are a perfect example of this. Ella must do whatever she is told, which is a gift easily abused once found out. To the giants who were married, Lucinda gives them the "gift" of each others' constant companionship. Never separated! Ugh. Even the happiest married people appreciate their time alone.

A second message found here is the strength that Ella has within herself. Ultimately, she is able to break the spell herself. Strengh of character and determination are important characteristics for young people to develop. Ella's situation points this out. Her situation could even be used as a parrallel situation to governing bodies which provide no freedom versus those that allow its citizens choice. Freedom is a gift and one to be treasured. Ella's experience is evidence of this presented in a lovely little fairy tale.

The Borrowers
This is another movie that it has been a few years since I have seen. I enjoyed the movie so much that I really wanted to read the book. It was not one I ever read myself during my own childhood. While it has been a while since seeing the movie and I have forgotten a lot, I do know that the book and movie are very, very different.

I definitely enjoyed the book. It has an air of mystery to it that isn't found in the movie. The book is a good story, fun to share and enjoyable to listen to. The movie is funny, very funny actually. The settings are different as well. The book is in a secluded house, and the movie is in the middle of a busy city. In the movie there is a much greater emphasis placed on the borrowers trying to escape from the exterminator. The book tells their story--and it is a bit sad.

While a really did enjoy reading The Borrowers, I think that any child who has actually seen the movie will be disappointed. The book doesn't have the excitement of the movie. If any expectations of similarities between the book and the movie are removed, perhaps it will remain an enjoyable read. This is definitely one where you want to read the book first.