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Strollerderby
Why My Girls Won’t See ‘Ramona and Beezus’
This review of the movie “Ramona and Beezus” almost makes me want to pack up my two girls and head to the theater today. Almost.
But I won’t. Ever since seeing the trailer a few months ago, I made the solemn vow that I wouldn’t let Hollywood intrude on some of my favorite memories of childhood reading.
The movie is based on the classic Beverly Clearly novels of nearly the same name and apparently director Elizabeth Allen honored Cleary’s wishes to make a movie as timeless as the books. So no cell phones, no laptops, no skinny jeans. No references to Hannah Montana (thank God!).
Still, I’ve ruined plenty of good books for my kids by taking them to the movies — “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” anyone? And I refuse to take that chance with anything involving the Quimby family, no matter how carefully scripted, no matter how adorable the lead actress Joey King is as the accident prone Ramona.
I have a very specific picture of Ramona in my head and little Joey King is already nudging my Ramona aside. My nine-year-old (Beatrice — our family’s Beezus!) has surely developed her own version of the sisters. But it’s my 5-year-old who hasn’t yet had the pleasure of discovering Ramona Quimby and I don’t like the idea of a movie taking that away from her.
So the movie version of the Cleary books will join the dozen seasons of “Little House on the Prairie,” which I have refused to put in my Netflix queue. These shows and films can commiserate with “Where the Wild Things Are,” and “Madeline” among others.
We all know it’s hard to go back to a book once the movie or TV has digested the story for you — that’s a lesson we all eventually learn. And sure, there will be books that my kids sacrifice to the Gods of Hollywood. But Beverly Cleary’s books? Not on my watch. The Ramona books are just too sacred.
What kids books are you protecting?
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[...] Why My Girls Won’t See ‘Ramona and Beezus’ [...]
Should an 11-Year-Old Go on a Diet? | Strollerderby commented on Jul 23 10 at 5:11 pmConstellation commented on Jul 23 10 at 1:53 pmAmen to this! There are too many films that have done a terrible, terrible job of depicting what are magical books. After they discover these books in written form, then you can offer up the film…but before then? Don’t spoil a potentially wonderful chance to fall in love with reading!
BlackOrchid commented on Jul 23 10 at 1:55 pmI agree totally! My daughter LOVES these books (we have a set of very old prints) – why mess with that?
TC commented on Jul 23 10 at 1:57 pmSo essentially, you won’t let your kids watch any movies? Every movie is based off of a book. Also, what I get is that you don’t want to watch the movies because it’ll ruin them for you. I think kids have better imaginations than that.
Huh? commented on Jul 23 10 at 1:59 pmI have a Ramona Quimby tattoo. I just wanted to put that out there. Anyhoo. In general, there’s a pretty strong “book first, then, maybe movie” feeling. I think that, given enough time and re-reads, your idea of what what Ramona the Pest looks like, or what Meg looks like (um, NOT Trini Alvarado…) or Harriet, or Fudge, or Lisbeth Salander, etc. etc. ad nauseum, ad infinitum, those ideas as permanent, and taking a look at another person’s interpretation is more of an experiment in perspective rather than a travesty of of inner life.
bob commented on Jul 23 10 at 2:09 pmIt’s not just books. They go back and desecrate their own classics. Like with Jim Carrey’s live-action Grinch. All the Bugs Bunny characters should have been put in protective custody the day Mel Blanc died.
JZ commented on Jul 23 10 at 4:03 pmThe book is almost always better than the movie. But I still watch the movie versions.
K. commented on Jul 23 10 at 4:26 pmMovies are ALWAYS the “dumbed-down” version of the book. There has never been an exception. I applaud you for keeping your girls away from theatres and TV sets when they can experience the magic from a book.
Robyn commented on Jul 23 10 at 4:57 pmMy son has to read all of the Harry Potter books before he can see the movies. He’s 4-1/2 and we’ve read the first two. I do let him see the movie trailers, though. For me, the actors do look like their book counterparts. It’s the bloody chopping they do to the movies that makes me pretty much hate them.
hello commented on Jul 23 10 at 4:57 pmYou know what i think i will go see it because i have read alot of times like diary of a wimpy kid so why dont u whoever is writing this horrorable stuff about my favorite writer Beaverly Cleary why dont u just buy the book and read it 2 your kids and make a comparision of the book and the movie thats what i do 2 my younger sisters
Kikiriki commented on Jul 23 10 at 8:05 pmThe only movie that was ever completely like the book was the original “Anne of Green Gables” series from CATV that ran in the 80′s. It looked exactly like what I pictured in my head, from the scenery to every single one of the characters. The funny thing is, every person I knew who saw it said the same thing. So either the director was a genius at perfecting the vision of the book, or Lucy Montgomery was a genius at describing Anne’s world. Or both.
Sara commented on Jul 23 10 at 8:42 pmWe watched it today and it was terrific. Really captured the spirit of the books.
My daughter listened to all the books on CD last summer and loved seeing her beloved Ramona on the screen.
carolyncastiglia commented on Jul 23 10 at 11:12 pmJust wanted to tell you that when we watched Where the Wild Things Are (which is worth a look by yourself if you are up for it), A said, “This is just like a book my teacher read – only longer!”
carolyncastiglia commented on Jul 23 10 at 11:13 pm(But maybe you already knew that? Can’t remember – ha.)
Marie commented on Sep 30 10 at 1:47 pmI disagree with this approach. Many times, seeing a movie made me want to read the book (and oftentimes, I much much much preferred the book). I see it more as an incentive than as a spolier.
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