In most cases, movies are based on books. Usually the books are re-released as a movie tie-in, but the book itself isn’t changed or re-written. In the case of Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, the movie came first, and the book was based on the movie. So listening to the audio version felt a lot like watching the movie without the picture on. I listened to the book on my own, and then the boys listened to it during “quiet” time over the weekend.
For a quick summary of the book, in case you haven’t seen the trailers for the movie, Judy Moody comes up with a “mega-rare” list of dares for her and her friends. But when Rocky goes to circus camp and Amy to Borneo, and Judy’s Aunt Opal comes to stay while her parents go to California, Judy’s new plan is to accumulate thrill points. All of her attempts are thwarted until she joins her brother Stink in catching Bigfoot, who has been sighted all over town.
I asked Alex (almost 8 ) for his opinion on both Judy Moody and listening to the audio book. Here are his paraphrased answers. Alex is a child of few words so some of his answers are my questions rephrased.
What was the book about?
Bigfoot! And thrill points.
How did they earn thrill points?
Dares. Pretty much they did all that just to find Mr. Todd. (Mr. Todd was Judy’s teacher, who promised a surprise to the first student who figured out his summer job. The only hint was that he would be doing something cold.)
Did you figure out where Mr. Todd was?
No. (Neither did I!)
Do you think Judy learned anything?
It’s not about dares and other stuff, it’s not about trying to have fun, she should just have fun.
What did you think about listening to the book as opposed to reading it? Which do you like better?
I liked listening because I understood better. I had better images.
What did you think of the narrator?
She had a good voice. I liked the different voices for the different characters.
Would you want to listen to another audiobook?
Yes.
Now that you’ve listened to the book, do you still want to see the movie?
Yes! Because the movie has pictures. And popcorn.
We haven’t seen the movie and will probably end up renting it, but if you have a child that’s a Judy Moody fan, then Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer is a fun summer read.
Nancy’s kids have been doing a pretty good job of having fun this summer. She writes about her 2 boys, books and life in Colorado at Life With My Boys and Books.
Interesting to hear Alex’s take on listening to an audiobook. Sounds like you might have a convert on your hands!
My friend took her grandkids to see this movie and loved it.