The Little Book Adventure is being run as part of National Year of Reading 2012. Project #3 is sponsored by Bright Buttons Toys.
For the purpose of this project, when we use the term ‘spineless book’, we are referring to film, play or television adaptations.
I don’t think we should ever look at film adaptations as replacements for books, but I do think they are fabulous tools for helping our children to begin thinking critically about stories, even from a young age.
- Film adaptations can flesh out a story, which in turn helps children to understand the concept of character back-stories and events taking place beyond the pages of a book.
- After reading a book, watching a film adaptation can become a great vehicle for meaningful conversations about a story. Discussions about similarities, differences, likes and dislikes can help children to consolidate their own understanding of a book and compare that to another reader’s interpretation.
- Watching a film or a play can also be great for children who have strengths in auditory, musical and visual learning.
THE PROJECT (What’s involved?):
As part of this project we are asking you to:
- Read a book with your child/ren which has been the inspiration for a film or play. You might like to use this list to help find a suitable book/film. (Please note, that I do believe it is important to read the book first. It will give your child/ren the opportunity to make their own interpretations and connections without being influenced by the film or play.)
- Once you have read the book with your children, see its film adaptation or attend its play adaptation.
- If you have younger children, you might prefer to watch a shorter television episode based on a children’s book (e.g. The Little Princess, Charlie and Lola, Angelina Ballerina) or you could perform your own puppet show for your child.
Please be on the lookout for other film and play adaptations and share your ideas on our facebook page.
HOW TO GET ALL KIDS INVOLVED
Once you have read the book and watched the film with your child/ren, begin a conversation with them. Below are some questions you might want to start with, but your child/ren may make observations during the film. You can use these observations as a starting point too.
- Did the characters look the same as in the book?
- Did the characters speak the way you imagined?
- What parts of the story were left out of the film?/ Were there any extra parts in the film?
- What did you like about the film?
- What didn’t you like about the film?
- What did you like better- the book or the film? Why?
To cater for a range of ages, the questions above are quite general. If you’d like some more detail or if you are looking to undertake Project #3 in the classroom you might like to read this article I wrote in 2010 about using film adaptations in the classroom.
Going Further:
If your children seem to enjoy this project, you could create your own family play based on a picture book which has yet to be adapted to film. (This could also be a suitable alternative for libraries)
CHALLENGE PARTICIPATION:
Bright Buttons Toys would like to offer all Project #3 participants 15% off the entire range at Bright Buttons Toys for the month of May when you spend over $40.
To receive 15% off your purchase use the following discount code at the checkout: Bookcase
This offer is valid between 1- 31 may, 2012 and is only available to Australian residents.
CHALLENGE COMPLETION:
This challenge will officially end on May 31, 2012
- Once you have finished the project, leave a comment below and tell us about your experience and your children’s responses to the project.
- To be eligible to win the prize for this month you also need to sign up to receive email updates at www.brightbuttonstoys.com.au and ‘like’ the Bright Buttons Toys facebook page.
BLOGGERS:
You might have your own blog and wish to write about how you and your family approached this challenge. Feel free to write about it in a post, publish it on your blog and link up here for our readers.
PROJECT PRIZE:
Bright Buttons Toys has one Just So Stories print by Spineless Classic to giveaway to a participant of Project #3.
The Just So Stories print measures 700mm by 500mm and is valued at $79.95. It features the full text of Rudyard Kipling’s Just-So Stories on one page, while at the same time showcasing some of the stories’ characters in the design.
You can read more about the Just So Stories print here or view the other Spineless Classics available through Bright Buttons Toys.
Prize Terms and Conditions:
1. To enter for your chance to win the prize, readers must:
a) Comment on this post once the project has been completed
b) ‘Like’ the Bright Buttons Toys facebook page
c) Sign up to receive email alerts from Bright Buttons Toys.
2. Entrants must live in Australia to be eligible to win the Spineless Classic print. The print will only be sent to Australian residents.
3. All entries must be received by midnight (AEST) on May 31, 2012 to be eligible
4. One participant will be chosen randomly to receive the Spineless Classic print
5. The winner will be notified via email and will also be announced on www.mylittlebookcase.com.au, facebook and Twitter
6. The winner is asked to send a reply email with their delivery address.
7. The print will be sent directly from Bright Buttons Toys.
