Ask a teacher or librarian to recommend a good book that has been made into a movie. Read the book together first! (Resist all attempts by your child to just skip right to the movie.)

After you’re both done reading the book, ask your child to tell you about the movie he imagines.

What do the characters look like? What do they sound like? What about the scenery? Which actor or actress should play his favorite character? After hearing his version, tell him yours.

Rent the movie and watch it together. Afterward, compare your imagined movie with the movie that was made. What surprised you most? What, in your opinion, did the filmmakers do right? What did they do wrong?

Tell your child how much you enjoyed reading and watching with him. Set a date to do it again. Maybe he can do some research and pick the book and movie next time!

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