In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s birth, film and television personalities take turns championing their favourite of Dahl's 10 best-selling children’s books, culminating in a nationwide vote. Rik Mayall reads from George’s Marvellous Medicine.
An intimate portrait of Eric Carle, creator of more than 70 books for children including the best-selling "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". At 82, Eric is still at work in his studio making books and creating art. As he methodically layers a tissue paper collage of the caterpillar, he describes the feeling he achieves working in his studio, the sense of being at peace, all alone, when everything grows quiet and it is just himself and his work. The film taps into that deep creative need in each of us, a spirit that started in Eric as a very young child and is unceasing today.
Children learn to respect themselves and others, use self-control, be empathetic, and act in a kind way when someone is distressed. This features the life-size green bear named Kelly, who serves as a hero and a teacher. Kids readily identify with the green bear who makes mistakes but keeps trying to do his best.
This animated short, based on the book by Rachna Gilmore, is the story of Gita, an 8-year-old girl who can't wait to celebrate Divali - the Hindu festival of lights - in her new home in Canada. But it's nothing like New Delhi, where she comes from. The weather is cold and grey and a terrible ice storm cuts off the power, ruining her plans for a party. Obviously, a Divali celebration now is impossible. Or is it? As Gita experiences the glittering beauty of the icy streets outside, the traditional festival of lights comes alive in a sparkling new way.
Lynne Cherry is an author, illustrator, environmentalist, and naturalist. This documentary covers an assortment of her books and activism to save the Belt woods.
Beneath a magical tree lives a boy with his friend the owl in this whimsical cautionary tale about innocence and greed, based on a children's book.
An open book is the window to enter this protest short film about the wait for a permit to plant a laurel tree in the River Plate. The Viceroy, king and queen must all sign the authorization. Too much time for such a vital wish. Stop-motion animated cutouts take us on the complex path of bureaucracy to accomplish a simple action. The landscapes change to the beat of the music for the story to move forward and grow just like that tree they wish to plant.
Ted Hughes's 1993 novel The Iron Woman is the springboard for this multi-media project by Mikhail Karikis. The video section of the installation features seven-year-olds from Mayflower Primary School in East London discussing the novel's environmental themes.
The shy Brown Bear falls for the beautiful White Bear and is bound and determined to make her his wife.
Think your family is odd? Watch "Man Baby." You'll feel better.
In this hilarious picture book, The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch as a rabbit fears his favorite treats are out to get him.
Ignored by her class, Miss Nelson mysteriously disappears one day, and the poisonous "Miss Swamp" takes over the class. The students suddenly realize they really like Miss Nelson and a search begins to find her.
The little puppy Aston finds a lonely a cold stone in the forrest a decides to bring it home a care for it. Based on the childrens bokk with the same name.
Under president Isimo, the Netherlands must be made clean and fresh. All ugly children are deported, but some escape and launch an uprising. Adapted from Koos Meinderts’ children’s book.
To celebrate her 80th birthday, the Queen is holding a children's party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. She has invited many classic characters from British children's literature. But when the baddies, led by Cruella de Vil, discover that they have not been invited, they steal the Queen's handbag containing her spectacles and the text of her speech; without it, the Queen will not be able to make a speech at the party. Can the goodies find the handbag in time?
Howard Spitz is a cranky, has-been detective novelist out of money and out of luck - until he meets eight-year-old Samantha, who convinces him he has what it takes to write children's books.
Laura, her husband Almanzo and their daughter Rose leave South Dakota and head for Missouri in search of a better, more financially stable life. It's a daunting journey, but they're sustained by their resolve. However, they're faced with an even greater challenge after their arrival: an ailing and bedridden Almanzo is unable to tend their new land. With winter fast on its way, Laura attempts to clear the land herself and plant the acres of apple trees that they hope will ensure their future.
A TV adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic book.
Matt Lucas celebrates 50 years of The Mr Men and Little Misses, telling the amazing story of the colourful little characters who changed global publishing forever.
A fairy tale set in the bucolic countryside of Central Europe at the turn of the 20th century. Anka, an orphan girl, bravely sets off in the pursuit of a home, facing the hardships of life, and ultimately finds her place with the help of a magical world and its mysterious creatures.