Is the book as good as the movie?

One by one, for better or worse, our favorite children's books are coming to the big screen. This fall it will be Where the Wild Things Are, one of the most beloved classics of the twentieth century . Its perfect blend of illustrations and text capture the feelings of a young boy whose anger is scary even to himself. It's too early to say whether the transition to the screen will enhance the charm or lose it, but it's safe to say the movie will be seen by many children who have never heard of the book. Librarians should be prepared for a sharp increase in demand for the book and to answer questions about whether the book can live up to the movie. For some children it won't. While the picture book is aimed directly at young children, the live action film will no doubt appeal to an older group no longer satisfied with static images on a page. Whether the translation to a different medium enhances the book or devalues it is something we may be arguing about for years to come. At the moment all we can say is that it was bound to happen and we can only hope for the best.