Preschool - 1st Grade | Charlotte Mason Books-to-Movies
Looking for a fun way to supplement your family’s homeschool studies? This Books-to-Movies List for Preschool - 1st 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 am 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!
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The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends 1992 | TV-G | Available to watch on DVD and YouTube
Beatrix Potter’s beloved tales are brought to life with gentle, low-stimulation animation. Features the stories of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and more endearing characters. Perfect for little ones, but please be aware that some stories may be a tiny bit scary for very sensitive viewers (Peter Rabbit narrowly escaping from Mr. McGregor’s garden for instance). Each episode is about 20 minutes long.
Guess How Much I Love You 2012 | TV-Y | Available to watch on DVD, Prime, YouTube, and more
Adapted from the book of the same name by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, this delightful series is a wonderful choice if you’re looking for peaceful entertainment for your little ones. Little Nutbrown Hare and his friends play and explore nature together, with little to no conflict, which made quite an impression on me. I was also touched by the wholesome friendship and love shared by Little Nutbrown Hare and his father. Each episode is about 12 minutes long, with currently 78 episodes in total. No content concerns.
Little Bear 1995 | TV-Y | Available to watch on Amazon Prime (Paramount+ subscription needed) and YouTube
Quite possibly my favorite children’s show of all time, Little Bear is based on Else Homelund Minarik’s children’s books. This show is wholesome, amusing, and peaceful, and features the adventures of Little Bear and his friends: Emily, Duck, Hen, Cat, Owl, No Feet (a garter snake), and more. There are very few content concerns to note across the whopping 195 episodes (you won’t run out of this gem any time soon!), but please be aware of the episode Monster Pudding, which may be too scary for young viewers. Additionally, there are a few rare episodes with “goblins” (they somewhat resemble gnomes), which may also be a little scary for sensitive children. I also recall a campfire story episode with Father Bear telling a story about “Monster Bear” but unfortunately have been unable to track down the name of that particular episode. I highly recommend Little Bear and am delighted that all the episodes are available on YouTube, as it is now almost impossible to find on DVD.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories 1993 | G | Available to watch on DVD and YouTube
Based on Eric Carle’s colorful children’s books, The Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories is a delightful children’s show that perfectly brings his vibrant illustrations to life. The series features five short stories: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, “Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me”, “The Very Quiet Cricket”, “The Mixed-Up Chameleon”, and “I See a Song”. Gentle narration, soothing music, and colorful animations make this a perfect pick for young viewers. The pacing is slow and calming, making it ideal for bedtime or quiet afternoons. No content concerns - just sweetness and creativity that truly honors Carle’s original works. At 30 minutes total, it’s a short but sweet treat for little ones.
Babar: King of the Elephants 1999 | G | Available to watch on DVD and YouTube
Based on Jean de Brunhoff’s much-loved Babar books (the first four books to be exact), Babar: King of the Elephants is an animated film that follows Babar’s jouney from orphaned elephant to wise and beloved king. One potential content concern: Babar’s mother is tragically killed by a hunter early in the film, which may be upsetting for young viewers. Overall, a lovely introduction to Babar’s world and a great way to experience Jean de Brunhoff’s classic tale.
Harry the Dirty Dog 1997 | G | Available to watch on Dailymotion
At just 10 minutes long, Harry the Dirty Dog is a quick and wholesome watch for the whole family. Gene Zion’s children’s book is brought to life with lighthearted narration and simple, but definitely sweet, animation. Harry is just as lovable and mischievous on screen as he is on page, and your child will enjoy tagging along with him as he becomes that rather dirty pup we all have come to love. No content concerns.
The Little Engine That Could 1991 | TV-Y | Available to watch on YouTube
Based on Watty Piper’s 1930s children’s book, The Little Engine That Could, is a heartwarming movie that brings the beloved tale of perseverance and optimism to life. The film follows a brave little engine who, despite her small size, takes on the challenge of pulling a train over a mountain. No content concerns, but it is a bit short, at only 30 minutes.
The Little House 1952 | Approved | Available to watch on YouTube and Dailymotion
A very old and sweet Disney production of Virginia Lee Burton’s timeless story, The Little House. A small country house endures many different emotions as she witnesses the world change around her. The themes of nostalgia, progress, and the longing for times gone by are woven into a memorable and touching tale. A lovely film for any age, however, it is short, at only 10 minutes long.
Madeline 1952 | G | Available to watch on YouTube
A nearly exact word-for-word adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans’ children’s book, Madeline, first published in 1939. The animation of this film perfectly matches the illustrations in the book as well, making this such a treat. Suitable for any age, though please be aware it is only 8 minutes long.
The Snowy Day 1965 | Not Rated | Available to watch on YouTube and Apple TV
This read-aloud-style animated adaptation of Ezra Jack Keats’ winter tale is a bit difficult to find and there are a couple good versions (not to be confused with the 2016 version, which isn’t as true to the book). I’ve linked a version above that you can watch on Homeschooling with Period Drama’s YouTube channel, in the Preschool-1st Grade playlist. I love the narrator’s peaceful voice, and how the animation mirrors Keats’ original collage-style artwork. The story follows Peter as he explores his wintery neighborhood. No content concerns - it is a perfect short film for little ones.
Ferdinand the Bull 1938 | Approved | Available to watch on Disney+
Another short film, this is a fun old Disney classic based on Munro Leaf’s children’s book. The story follows Ferdinand, a peaceful bull who would much prefer to smell flowers than fight in the bullring. There is a more recent version of Ferdinand (2017), but it strays considerably from the source material and is more suited to slightly older children (in my opinion). This version, however, is perfect for any age. There are no content concerns.
Harold and the Purple Crayon 1959 | G | Available to watch on YouTube
Crockett Johnson’s imaginative story is brought to the screen with minimalist and soothing animation - a perfect choice for before naptime. Your child will enjoy tagging along with Harold and his trusty crayon as he goes on creative and whimsical adventures. This is another short film at around 8 minutes long. No content concerns.
Whistle for Willie 1965 | Not Rated | Available to watch on Dailymotion and to rent on Apple TV
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats is gently brought to life with this read-aloud-style animated short film (6 minutes long). There is something very peaceful about this film, and I’m sad that it isn’t longer! The story follows Peter as he tries to learn how to whistle for his dog, Willie. Just like The Snowy Day mentioned above, Whistle for Willie stays true to Keats’ signature collage-style artwork. This is a sweet, nostalgic tale celebrating the everyday wonders of growing up, and is suitable for any age. No content concerns.
Snowflake Bentley 2003 | Not Rated | This one is currently difficult to find… I’m hoping it will become available on Prime again soon!
This is an educational story film about Wilson Bentley, a Vermont farmer who photographed snowflakes. It is a combination of many illustrations/excerpts from the book (by Jacqueline Briggs Martin), with the addition of animated falling snow and clips of old telescopes, wintry forests, etc. It is a bit on the short side at 16 minutes, but it is a wonderful movie for all ages, and of course, a perfect pick for a snowy day. Fun Fact: It is narrated by Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings). No content concerns.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble 1993 | Not Rated | Available to watch on YouTube
Based on William Steig’s book, Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is an animated short film (12 minutes long) that perfectly captures the book’s illustrations (which is something I always love!). Sylvester, a young donkey, discovers a magic pebble that grants wishes - but when he accidentally turns himself into a rock, he faces a long and emotional journey back to his family. Only one potential content concern - the sadness of Sylvester’s predicament may be emotional for very sensitive viewers. If you don’t have access to Amazon, you can watch a similar version on YouTube, which is linked above.
I hope this Preschool-1st 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!
