Posted September 8, 2015 by Kerry Bennett and updated on July 17, 2017.

Celebrate International Literacy Day with One of These 25 Books that Made It to the Big Screen

September 8th marks International Literacy Day. The event, first celebrated in 1966, emphasizes the importance of reading and writing for children and adults. This year’s theme for the event is “literacy and sustainable societies”.

While some children and adults struggle with learning challenges that make reading more difficult, others haven’t discovered a love of reading. To help encourage a reluctant reader let your child pick what he or she wants to read. Graphic novels, comic books, magazines or joke books can be a good beginning. Non-fiction, sports stories or how-to manuals may appeal to some children more than novels. Help your children find subjects that interest them. Many libraries offer books with easier vocabulary aimed at older readers including non-native speakers. Some children will be more eager to read if they can use an electronic device. Many children’s books are now available in e-book format.

Read to your child often. Books, newspapers, magazines, road signs and to-do lists are all things children can practice reading. Many children want to read the same book over and over. While that can sometimes feel monotonous to a parent, re-reading books helps children recognize words, sentence structure and story line and will eventually help them read the book on their own. As well, reading to your child helps improve vocabulary. Use a dictionary to help them look up words they don’t understand.

Leave notes for your children. Encourage them to write letters or notes to you. Invite other family members or friends to send letters, cards or texts to your child. And remember the importance of being a role model when it comes to reading.

Do you have a reluctant reader who loves movies? Encourage her or him to find a book that has been made into a movie. Read the book first then watch the movie and talk about the things that were different or the same. Encourage your child to write a movie script for one of his or her favorite books

To get you started here are 25 books that made their way to the big screen.

How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

Stuart Little by E. B. White

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Ramona and Beezus by Beverly Cleary

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

The Sword and the Stone by T. H. White