feedback for "The Babble List: 10 Kids Movies That Were Better Than the Book"

1. "The Grinch That Stole Christmas" was narrated by Boris Karloff, but sung by Thurl (Tony the Tiger) Ravenscroft."

   posted by : JesBelle on 7/7/2009 at 10:43 AM Flag For Abuse

2. Thanks - corrected!
   

   posted by : babbleeditors on 7/7/2009 at 10:55 AM Flag For Abuse

3. The Iron Giant - Brad Byrd is a genius to have made such an incredible movie from such a simple book.
   
   Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - The movie is just plain unwatchable if you have actually read the book.
   

   posted by : motherhon on 7/7/2009 at 1:54 PM Flag For Abuse

4. I have to disagree with what you say about SHREK and William Steig -- and some of us did, in fact, know the book before the movie. I would also encourage everyone to check out all of the many other children's books he wrote -- he's brilliant! and I wouldn't call any of his drawings "crude." I also appreciated in the book that the princess was never pretty -- quite a nice change of pace to find a princess who isn't beloved because of her beauty. Of course, for the movie they had to change that.
   

   posted by : williamsteigfan on 7/7/2009 at 3:53 PM Flag For Abuse

5. I LOVE the original Shrek.  William Steig was an incredibly gifted author and illustrator.  His works are filled with invention and magic, and great vocabulary words!  My kids and I adore him.  I'll take his book Shrek over the mainstream movie any day. 
   

   posted by : Molly Parker-Myers on 7/7/2009 at 5:13 PM Flag For Abuse

6. Another original Shrek fan here. William Steig's books are full of wit and wordplay--they're a joy to read at any age, without the constant winking at the grown-ups that plagues the Shrek movies.
   

   posted by : meg on 7/7/2009 at 5:51 PM Flag For Abuse

7. So, Hans Christian Anderson's 'The Little Mermaid' is worse than syrupy movie???  I would agree that the original is not something you would want to read to children but it is an amazing story.  You can't compare the two.

   posted by : jojo44 on 7/7/2009 at 9:25 PM Flag For Abuse

8. I think the title of the article is misleading.  I do not think that because a film version is "better" because it is less violent than the book.  Maybe it is "better" for parents who are into censorship.  There was a really great article I read about violence in books and children, not sure if it was on Babble or just a random search.  But it talked about the scene in Babar where the mother dies, and how it is important for children to be exposed to imagery like that so that they understand what is fiction and can have an outlet for their fears.  It's healthy, especially if you are there to discuss it with them.  I read Grimm as a kid and found it fascinating!

   posted by : lisalisalisa on 7/8/2009 at 1:27 AM Flag For Abuse

9. I love some of the elements of those original stories, and your highlighting (and inconsistent criticizing) of them reminds me of why books are so often better than movies: Creators have so much more freedom to create worlds that experiment with the way things "should be" without the sharp edges being rounded off.
   It's the very strange and sometimes harsh details that fascinate my own nearly five-year-old daughter - the Little Mermaid's pain when walking, Shrek's entirely unrepentant horribleness - and it's funny to read someone criticizing these authors for their unique voices and fearless imaginings.

   posted by : Jeremiah on 7/8/2009 at 9:55 AM Flag For Abuse

10. The 'disney-fication' of some of the old tales is a bit much. I read the original "The Little Mermaid' and watched an earlier cartoon version (early 80's perhaps?) and was flabbergasted at how sanitized the Disney version was! I remember being very sad that the mermaid died at the end and turned into seafoam but the moral of the story was that you shouldn't try to be something that you aren't and that not everyone has a happy ending..that's just life! The Disney-fied version is so popular though now that most people aren't even aware of the original fable!

    posted by : snakecharmer on 7/8/2009 at 11:55 AM Flag For Abuse

11. I have to TOTALLY disagree with you about Mary Poppins -- one of my favorite childhood book series. Mary's grumpiness is what MADE the books. She was grumpy AND vain AND magical AND loving all at the same time. And taught those spoiled kids a lesson or two that they needed to learn. Plus, they are part of an era of British children's books that has never since been rivaled in quality, an era that included books like Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

    posted by : ohk on 7/9/2009 at 8:47 AM Flag For Abuse

12. The original Grimm stories were NOT children's stories. The Victorian age took stories of faerie & magic and relegated them to the realm of the nursery (after all the magic & imagination are only fit for those of lesser intelligence, ie women & children!).  The horror & sharp corners of the tales were softened or removed.  Disney & other modern filmakers have continued this trend.  I was shocked & surprised by the idea that The Little Mermaid and Hunchback of Notre Dame would be children's movies! I could go on (& on, & on, & on...) about this topic (but i won't!).  Check out the play Into the Woods (on DVD starring Bernadette Peters) for a fun taste of these tales.
    
    I enjoyed all of the written works & the movies as well. I just take them as separate mediums. I also like both Willy Wonka & Chocolate Factory and Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.
    
    I AM concerned at how we censor children's stories, movies, and TV.  I was watching the old school Sesame Street on DVD & at the beginning there is a warning that the following program might not be suitable for children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    I agree that the book Mary Poppins wasn't sweet but that was the point: she was fixing spoiled kids!  I'd like to see her US counterpart, Mrs Pigglewiggle made into a film.
    
    To make a long story short (too late!), I think which you like better is a manner of taste. I agree with the Grinch bit tho!!

    posted by : Babydragons mom on 7/10/2009 at 5:40 PM Flag For Abuse

13. Dude....the Hans Christian Anderson Little Mermaid blows the disney version right out of the water (no pun intended).  The mermaid in the book has grit, depth, bravery, and a wonderful and pure soul (which ultimately saved her, in a way).  It shows that maybe it's NOT such a good idea to ditch your family or torture and completely change yourself  in every meaningful way-- FOR A MAN!
    And in the disney version, everything works out peachy with her "handsome prince". What kind of message is that sending to little girls?  I mean let's think about this for a minute.  I remember watching the film as a young girl and wondering why my waist was so big compared to Ariel's.  Maybe it's more "violent" but I would rather challenge my little girls bravery and intelligence than spoon feed her mainstream, sexist drivel any day of the week.

    posted by : ommom28 on 7/10/2009 at 6:53 PM Flag For Abuse

14. Grimm's Cinderella is by no mens the original version. Charles Perrault wrote one in 1697 and it is believed to be based on the story of Rhodopis from the 1st century BC.
    I agree with a lot of the posters that the author of this list seems to like his stories sanitized. Anyone who doesn't appreciate William Stieg's genius is suspect in my books.
    

    posted by : Roxomatic on 10/16/2009 at 4:26 PM Flag For Abuse