Whenever a book is adapted to film, everyone wonders the same thing: Which is better? You can answer this question yourself by reading the books and watching the movies presented in this month’s S-Collection blog. Featuring animated films as well as a live-action option, this blog includes recent film adaptations of picture books and juvenile literature. Some of the adaptations are faithful to their source material and others stray from it, and all will spark conversations about the difference between the two mediums. The S-Collection has what you need to explore book-to-film adaptations this September!

Blabey, Aaron
The Bad Guys. 2017. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
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Film adaptation: The Bad Guys (2022)
In this highly popular graphic novel series, readers follow Mr. Wolf and his friends’ attempts to become “good guys.” They may have pointy teeth and rap sheets a mile long, but they believe they can turn over a new leaf with a few pure-hearted deeds – starting with freeing 200 dogs from the local pound. The film adaptation of the same name gives our characters more lore and more hijinks to partake in as they seek to put an end to their lives of crime to avoid a prison sentence. A sequel, The Bad Guys 2, came out in 2025.

Bond, Michael
Paddington. 2007. Picture Book.
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Film adaption: Paddington (2014)
The classic Paddington series follows the lovable Paddington Bear, so named for his family finding him abandoned in Paddington station in London. He is known for his signature red hat, love of marmalade, and optimistic attitude. The film adaptation details the bear’s origin story, explaining how, exactly, he ended up in that train station, and shows how he became a beloved member of the Brown family. Two sequels, Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru, came out in 2017 and 2024.

Brown, Peter
The Wild Robot. 2016. Juvenile Fiction.
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Film adaptation: The Wild Robot (2024)
This acclaimed children’s book is written by well-known picture book author Peter Brown and follows ROZZUM unit 7134, or “Roz” to her friends, after she is shipwrecked on an island full of animal inhabitants. Roz is a robot, programmed to learn, study, and improve on her skills, which is what she does as she slowly integrates herself into island life and even begins raising a gosling. The life of bliss that Roz begins to share with the gosling, Brightbill, and the other animals is suddenly threatened when robots who are meant to destroy, not learn and protect, arrive at the island. The film adaptation from 2024 goes into greater detail regarding Roz’s companions, particularly Fink the fox.

Lowry, Lois
The Willoughbys. 2008. Juvenile Fiction.
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Film adaptation: The Willoughbys (2020)
Although Lois Lowry may be best known for her more serious children’s books, she took a dip into comedy and parody in this 2008 novel. The Willoughbys takes inspiration from the melodramatic and gothic children’s literature of old to tell the story of the four Willoughby children, Timothy, Jane, Barnaby, and, of course, Barnaby (again). These children have an antagonistic relationship with their parents that is entirely mutual. It reaches a breaking point when Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby decide to go on a vacation without the children, leaving them alone in their Victorian-era home. While their parents are gone, the children attempt to sell the house and deal with the sudden appearance of a baby on their doorstep in what is ultimately a satirical look at gloomy, orphan-centric juvenile literature. The 2020 film adaptation animates the Willoughbys and features many comedic actors in the leading roles, including Will Forte and Maya Rudolph.

Ness, Patrick
A Monster Calls. 2011. Juvenile Fiction.
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Film adaptation: A Monster Calls (2016)
In this emotional novel about trauma and loss, 13-year-old Conor struggles to cope with his mother’s health issues, the fact that his father has moved abroad to live with a new family, and his own mental health. One evening, a large treelike beast enters his bedroom window, promising to tell Conor three stories. The stories are fantastical ones about ancient kings, queens, apothecaries, and monsters, and when the stories are complete, the beast implores Conor to tell his own story. Conor is forced to confront the truth of his recurring nightmare in this metaphor for grief and acceptance. The 2016 film was penned by the book’s author, Patrick Ness, and is a faithful retelling of this moving children’s story.

Pilkey, Dav
Dog Man. 2016. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
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Film adaptation: Dog Man (2025)
The hit children’s series Dog Man tells the story of is its eponymous protagonist, a man with the head of a dog. Dog Man’s arch nemesis is the villain Petey the Cat, who has a variety of nefarious plots to destroy all books, replace the police chief with a robot, and invade the world with mutant hot dogs. The film adaptation uses the same cartoonish art style as the graphic novel and serves as a spinoff of the earlier Captain Underpants series and film.

Rex, Adam
The True Meaning of Smekday. 2007. Juvenile Fiction.
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Film adaptation: Home (2015)
Gratuity Tucci, known as “Tip” to her friends, doesn’t find the conquering of Earth to be friendly, no matter what the aliens say. The aliens, called the Boov, insist that this is a “friendly” invasion, even though they have stolen Tip’s mother and are now forcing all humans to relocate to Florida. On her way to Florida, Tip bumps into the Boov J. Lo., and the two form an unexpected alliance in this humorous take on the apocalypse. The 2015 film adaptation takes many creative liberties with the story, changing Florida to the Australian outback, renaming central characters, and adapting other plot details. This opens up a fun opportunity for young readers to compare the film to the book and spot any differences.

Varon, Sara
Robot Dreams. 2007. Juvenile Graphic Novel.
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Film adaptation: Robot Dreams (2023)
Robot Dreams is a unique graphic novel from author-illustrator Sara Varon. The text is sparse and there is no dialog, so readers glean the plot from its simple, yet moving, illustrations. In the book, a lonely dog builds a robot for companionship, but their budding friendship comes to an abrupt halt when the robot rusts stiff following a trip to the beach. While the dog continues on with its life, tumbling in and out of a series of temporary friendships, the robot sits immobile on the sand, dreaming that its situation was different. The poignant conclusion calls into question the idea that a reunion with friends long past is always necessary for a happy ending. The film, like the graphic novel, has no dialog, and keeps the bittersweet ending that made the original novel so unique.

Yarlett, Emma
Orion and the Dark. 2015. Picture Book.
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Film adaptation: Orion and the Dark (2024)
Orion is scared of a lot of things, but the dark perhaps is his greatest fear of all. Unfortunately for him, the dark returns night after night, keeping Orion up late as he struggles to overcome his anxieties. One night, however, the dark transforms into the friendly creature the Dark, who invites Orion to leave his bed and accompany him on a variety of adventures. With the Dark as a guide, Orion visits places that used to scare him, including under his bed and the basement. He also visits beautiful places, such as the starry night sky. The picture book is light on plot, but the 2024 film adaptation expands on it, introducing new characters and stops on Orion’s journey.

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