Meadowland Elementary School’s librarian Shawna Bardos said that she reads the picture book to kindergarteners, knowing that they like the various colors of the book’s pictures and entertaining storyline.

        As those five-year-old readers grow up into teenagers and adults, the book still remains an old favorite, which is a possible reason for the film’s positive reception. At the box office, Regal Theaters employee and senior Jennifer Von Erden said “there are not a lot of younger kids,” and that “mostly teenagers and older people are seeing the movie.”

        Even though the content of the movie is the same as the book in terms of characters and plot, director Jonze has taken great liberty with expanding the book into a 101-minute-long film. Junior Caroline Nilsson says that the film is not aimed towards children and that “it's more about coming of age, and overcoming hardships and inner demons.”

        Roald Dahl’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is another indie director’s adaptation of a children’s book, this time taking on the story of the cunning Mr. Fox who steals food from his neighbor’s right under their noses. With its November 13 release, Anderson’s stop-motion animated film has been more quietly anticipated than “Where the Wild Things Are.”

        Bardos, upon watching the trailers for “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” saw it as being aimed at both children and adults this time, commenting that the film looks “more promising.” Von Erden said that the film might be more popular since it is featuring bigger names such as George Clooney and Meryl Streep.

        Just like other movies adapted from books, directors Jonze and Anderson are no different; they offer their unique interpretation that may or may not stay true to the book’s identity.  
        Bardos said that the films “should be enjoyed as separate things” from the books. She said that in terms of new exposures to the children’s books, “if anything makes someone read, I’m happy.”