School is almost out for many kids and part of the fun in the summer is going to the movies. Children and parents look forward to the big blockbusters, the silly comedies, the super hero movies, and the sequels to previous favorites. Check out Common Sense Media's Kids' Summer Movie Guide 2017 for a more complete list than the one below.
Given that this is a book blog and not a place for movie reviews, where's the connection? Well, we all know about books turned into movies, and this summer has a couple of big ones.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (Movie Release: May 19)
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (Movie Release: June 2, 2017)
However, a common trend is to create a paperback book pack featuring a picture book, an early reader, and a junior novel tie-in for popular movies.
Despicable Me 3 (Movie Release: June 30)
Wonder Woman (Movie Release: June 2, 2017)
Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Movie Release: May 5, 2017)
Cars 3 (Movie Release: June 16, 2017)
I tend to be a bit of a book snob and prefer books to their movie counterparts. Yet, is there a place for these movie tie-in books? Though I am not a huge fan of these books, from a literary perspective, I do have to admit that they often are popular with kids. Especially kids who are less likely to pick up just any book. And for that reason I am a fan.
All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.
Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and transitional chapter books. Don't forget to pop over to Michele's blog to check out her post as well.