2nd Grade | Charlotte Mason Books-to-Movies
Looking for a fun way to supplement your family's homeschool studies? This Books-to-Movies List for 2nd Grade gathers together the film adaptations of Living Books from Charlotte Mason reading lists.
Watching the movie after reading the book can help to bring the story to life, enforce comprehension, and spark meaningful conversation – all while encouraging a gentle, literature-rich education.
All movies recommended here have been carefully vetted by me, and I also careful to include any content concerns with each review (all content reviews are for the movie itself, and do not account for bonus features/behind the scenes/deleted scenes/etc). If you have any questions, please reach out to me here!
As an Amazon and ChristianBook affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases - at no extra cost to you!
The Boxcar Children 2014 | G | Available to watch on DVD, YouTube and Amazon Prime
Based on Gertrude Chandler Warner’s worldwide best-seller, The Boxcar Children, this is a gentle rendition your young ones will definitely enjoy. Orphaned siblings Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny run away from their grandfather (who they believe to be unkind). With resilience and resourcefulness, they make a home in an abandoned boxcar. This is a full-length movie, and while the animation may be a bit stiff, I’m certain children will enjoy it, especially after reading the book. No content concerns, though the children’s initial struggle to survive on their own may be a bit emotional for young viewers.
📺Click Here to Watch on Amazon Prime
💿CLick Here to View the DVD on Amazon
📖Read the book, then watch the movie
The Boxcar Children: Surprise Island 2018 | Not Rated
This is a faithful animated adaptation of Gertrude Chandler Warner’s Surprise Island, sequel to The Boxcar Children (reviewed above). The Alden siblings (Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny) spend the summer on a private island. Together, they encounter adventure and a few mysteries to solve. This is a full-length movie, and like The Boxcar Children mentioned above, the animation is a bit stiff, but apart from that it is a sweet and wholesome film. No content concerns.
📺Click Here to Watch on Amazon Prime
💿CLick Here to View the DVD on Amazon
📖Read the Book, then watch the movie
Little House on the Prairie 1974-1983 | TV-G
Little House on the Prairie TV series is loosely based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s beloved children’s books, and while it has remained a huge household favorite for many families over the years since it first aired in 1974, I do hold some reservations, apart from the unfaithfulness to Laura’s books. There are occasional heavy and concerning topics sprinkled throughout the series you may wish to be fully aware of before freely sharing with your young ones (these concerns are exclusive to the show and are not in the books - Season 7 for instance has two episodes revolving around a r*pe and pregnancy…). I intend to write an Episode-by-Episode Content Guide for parents, but in the meantime, I do recommend previewing episodes before sharing with children. But enough of the cons! What of the pros? Little House on the Prairie provides an excellent glimpse into the everyday lives of American pioneers and showcases their profound resilience, enduring faith, and unwavering love for family. Many of the stories are amusing, wholesome, and inspiring. If you’re not quite ready to tackle the show, I highly recommend the unabridged audiobooks narrated by Cherry Jones - an absolute favorite in my family and listened to dozens of times. Cherry Jones’ warm voice perfectly captures the essence and heart of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories.
📺Click here to watch on Amazon Prime
💿Click here to view the DVD set
📖Read the Book, theN Watch the Movie
🎨Click Here - to get the coloring book
Little House on the Prairie 2005 | TV-G | Available to watch on DVD
This is a miniseries made by Disney in the early 2000s and is regarded to be much more faithful to the books than the old TV series! There are only a few content concerns to be aware of: there are moments of peril and some scary scenes that are depicted in the books - the river crossing, wolf attacks, the Indians taking Ma into the cabin, etc. It is a tough one to find to stream, but it is available on DVD, and possibly on Disney+. You may recognize the actress Erin Cottrell who plays Caroline Ingalls - she also plays Missie LaHaye in the beloved Love Comes Softly series, which are based on a series of books by Christian author Janette Oke.
💿Click here to view the DVD on Amazon
📖Read the Book, theN Watch the Movie
🎨Click Here - to get the coloring book
The Railway Children 1968 | G | Available to watch on YouTube
This is the first of three period drama productions of The Railway Children, based on E. Nesbit’s classic children’s novel. Produced by the BBC in 1968, this is a black and white miniseries (7 episodes, each 24 minutes long), and it is very well done. Not only is it the first screen adaptation of the book, but it is notably the first Jenny Agutter starred in. She appears in each production - twice as Bobbie (Roberta), and once as Mother. Additionally, she is in The Railway Children Return (2022) as a much older Bobbie, set in WW2 (this film is more geared to older children, ages 12+, and is not based on the book). I truly love The Railway Children, and each film is an excellent representation of the book. The story follows Bobbie and her two younger siblings, Peter and Phyllis, who move to the countryside with their mother after their father is mysteriously taken away (don’t worry - it has a very happy ending!). They live near the railway, and quickly grow to love the train station and the people who work there. No content concerns, though there are some slightly intense moments (the children help an injured boy in a train tunnel - a train does go through the tunnel when they are in it, but they are unharmed; and the children bravely attempt to stop a train to prevent an accident) which may be a bit scary for very sensitive viewers.
📺Click Here to watch on YouTube
📖Read the Book, thEn Watch the Movie
The Railway Children 1970 | G | Available to watch on DVD and Tubi
Jenny Agutter reprises her role as Bobbie in this delightful period drama based on E. Nesbit’s beloved children’s book, The Railway Children. This is a normal length movie (1 hour 49 minutes), so although a wonderful representation of the book - it is a bit condensed, leaving me wishing for more! No content concerns, though like the 1968 version, there are some slightly intense moments, which may be a bit scary for very sensitive children.
💿Click here to view the DVD on AMazon (It’s a great price!!)
📖Read the Book, then Watch the Movie
The Railway Children 2000 | Not Rated
The most recent adaptation of E. Nesbit’s classic children’s novel, The Railway Children, now sees Jenny Agutter in the role as the loving mother of the Waterbury children: Bobbie (Roberta), Peter, and Phyllis. This is yet another wonderful version of one of my favorite stories. You may recognize Pride and Prejudice’s Mr. Collins (David Bamber) as Doctor Forrest. The only potential content concern to be aware of, aside from the slightly intense moments mentioned in the two reviews above, is a brief scene when their housekeeper/cook is talking about Doctor Forrest, and dreamily says what nice warm hands he has, and Bobbie looks disturbed and makes a face. It’s just a bit uncomfortable and funny, but I didn’t think it would hurt to mention it.
📺Click Here to Watch on Amazon Prime
📖Read the Book, then Watch the Movie
The Velveteen Rabbit 2009 | G | Available to watch on DVD and YouTube
This is a really cute adaptation of Margery Williams’ children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit, first published in 1922. It is part live-action, part animation. While the overall story is endearing and sweet, it does explore some heavier themes, including the death of the main character’s mother (not shown - it takes place before the events shown in the movie), feelings of neglect, illness, loss, and a fire. These incidents are handled with sensitivity, making it appropriate viewing for most 2nd Graders. No other content concerns. This is a great addition to the Charlotte Mason’s Books-to-Movies collection, and I am confident your children will enjoy this sweet adaptation of a beloved classic.
💿Click Here to View the DVD on Amazon
📖Read the Book, then Watch the Movie
The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh 1977 | G | Available to watch on DVD, Disney+, and Amazon Prime
Winnie-the-Pooh is a very dear bear, as is this delightful film. Contains stories from A. A. Milne’s classic children’s books: Winnie-the-Pooh and the Honey Tree, Winnie-the-Pooh and the Blustery Day, and Winnie-the-Pooh and Tiger Too. I have no content concerns to disclose (hooray!!). This is a honey-sweet production that will never cease to delight viewers - young and old.
📺Click Here to Watch on Amazon Prime
💿CLick Here to View the DVD on Amazon
📖Read the Book, then Watch the Movie
Piglet’s Big Movie 2003 | G | Available to watch on DVD, Disney+, and Amazon Prime
Based on three separate chapters from A. A. Milnes’s much-loved children’s books, this movie is about Piglet who is saddened when his friends don’t include him in a honey harvest (they think he is too small). Piglet leaves, and when his friends discover him missing, they set out to find him and recollect memories about Piglet and his great qualities along the way. The film has a very happy ending, and content-wise, there are some moments of peril, and it may be hard to witness Piglet’s sadness for very sensitive viewers. This is a very sweet story for children - and there are valuable lessons to be learned along the way.
📺Click Here to Watch on Amazon Prime
💿CLick Here to View the DVD on Amazon
Winne the Pooh 2011 | G | Available to watch on DVD, Disney+, and Amazon Prime
Winnie the Pooh (2011) is rather loosely based on two chapters from A. A. Milne’s books. Nevertheless, this is a very sweet film. Pooh and his friends join forces to find a new tail for Eeyore, all amidst the rumblings of Pooh’s tummy (he has run out of honey). No content concerns, apart from slight peril. Children will love the antics of Pooh and his friends, and parents will appreciate the morals sprinkled throughout this sweet movie.
📺Click Here to Watch on Amazon Prime
💿CLick Here to View the DVD on Amazon
I hope this 2nd Grade Charlotte Mason Books-to-Movies List adds a fun and memorable touch to your family's homeschool experience! If you give any of these a try, I’d love to hear what your favorites are—please feel free to reach out and share your thoughts! You can contact me here, or you can message me on any of my socials (links below).
If you loved this list, be sure to check out the other grades! There are so many wholesome books-to-movies for your family to enjoy!
