Ramona and Beezus: from a Book to a Movie

For every child who's little sister was a pest, reading Beezus and Ramona reassured you that you weren't alone. Now Beverly Cleary's ever-so-real children's stories come to the big screen.

Ramona and Beezus debuted July 23, 2010 and eager fans flocked to see it. The movie trailer showed Ramona in her best pest behavior. Readers will be looking closely to see if the movie follows the book. Ramona and Beezus (the movie title) or Beezus and Ramona (the book title)?

It doesn't matter, as fans will love seeing their favorite characters in a movie no matter which of the sisters gets first billing.

Book cover image of BEEZUS AND RAMONA BY BEVERLY CLEARY courtesy of Amazon.

Was Beverly Cleary a Favorite Author from Your Childhood?

• My 8 yr. old and 5 yr. old daughters beg every night to hear another chapter read to them. The stories and situations are timeless and they can easily identify with Ramona and Beezus. The stories are told from a child's point of view, which can be sometimes enlightening for us grownups who have forgotten what it's like to be 4 or 5 years old. My girls delight in hearing about Ramona's occaisional "wickedness" and very stubborn nature.

  I find myself giggling when I recognize things from the era that it was written (my childhood!) like putting plastic bread bags over your shoes and then stuffing them into rubber boots! I highly recommend this collection of books. The word wholesome comes to mind.

• These books are the best. Children will enjoy the simplicity in the narration and the stories and the adventures. It's also great for adults. I didn't read these books when I was young but I'm happy I found them now.

  After reading them, I found myself thinking back to my childhood and it also helped me remember a few things from when I was in that age. Beverly Cleary wrote these books so well, it's as if she wrote as she grew along with Ramona.

• I loved Beverly Cleary books when I was younger. I remember this one in particular. Ramona and smashing the egg in her hair because she thought it was hard-boiled....only it wasn't, the Yard-Ape, the umm dinner that could taste you back. I remember it being reassuring to read about Ramona's life and to know that all of that stuff was normal. Families fought, parent's were annoying, school was tough, but in the end, everything was okay.

  I loved sharing it with my daughters this time around.

If you've read all the Ramona books, try some that are similar. Here are some I think you will like.

If your child fell in love with Ramona and Beezus from the movie or the books, throw a party with that theme for their birthday. Here are ideas for a great party with the Ramona and Beezus theme.