Night at the Museum – Battle of the Smithsonian
Children's Books List Inspired by the Movie
Jun 24, 2009
Movie viewing is an excellent way to initiate discussions about characters, plot, historical accuracy, and cinematic elements. It can also be a prompt to read books. Julie Bogart of Bravewriter concurs, “Sometimes film catalyzes an interest in reading and sometimes reading catalyzes an interest in viewing. Both are good.”
The blockbuster movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, with its many allusions to history, science, and art topics, lends itself well to making the screen-to-book connection.
Plot of Night at the Museum 2
Like the first Night at the Museum film, Battle of the Smithsonian (rated PG) is a rollicking romp as historical characters come alive. Security guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller), with the help of Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), invades the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. to rescue his many friends, including Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), General Custer (Bill Hader), and Sacajawea (Mizuo Peck). Although the film is billed as a sequel, it stands alone; it is not necessary to watch the first movie to understand the plot.
Kids who enjoy the action-packed movie may be motivated to investigate its intriguing characters by reading related books. The following children's book list serves to whet appetites for further exploration.
Abraham Lincoln
- Abraham Lincoln, by Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire, Gr. K-3
- Abe Lincoln’s Hat, by Martha Brenner, Gr. 1-3
- Abe’s Honest Words, by Doreen Rappaport, Gr. 4-7
Amelia Earhart
- A Picture Book of Amelia Earhart, by David Adler, Gr. K-3
- Amelia Earhart, More Than a Flier, by Patricia Lakin, Gr. 2-3
- Amelia Earhart, The Legend of the Lost Aviator, by Shelley Tanaka, Gr. 4-7
Teddy Roosevelt
- Being Teddy Roosevelt, by Claudia Mills, Gr. 2-4
- Theodore Roosevelt, the Adventurous President, by Editors of Time for Kids, Gr. 4-7
- Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt!, by Jean Fritz, Gr. 5-9
General George Armstrong Custer
- Custer’s Last Stand, by Joeming Dunn, Gr. 4-7
- Andy & Mark and the Time Machine: Custer’s Last Stand, by Wilfred Reed, Gr. 4-7
Sacajawea
- A Picture Book of Sacagawea, by David Adler, Gr. K-3
- I Am Sacajawea, I Am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark, by Claire Rudolph Murphy, Gr. K-3
- Sacajawea, by Joseph Bruchac, Gr. 4-7
Orville and Wilbur Wright
- My Brothers’ Flying Machine: Wilbur, Orville, and Me, by Jane Yolen, Gr. K-3
- First Flight: The Wright Brothers, by Caryn Jenner, Gr. 4-7
- To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers, by Wendie C. Old, Gr. 4-7
Auguste Rodin and The Thinker
- The Life and Work of Auguste Rodin, by Richard Thames, Gr. K-3
- Little Sap and Monsieur Rodin, by Michelle Lord, Gr. 2-5
Able, the Space Monkey
- Race into Space, by Eric Arnold, Gr. K-3
- First in Space, by James Vining, Gr. 4-7
Edgar Degas and the Little Dancer of Fourteen Years
- I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina, by Anna Pavlova, Gr. K-3
- Degas and the Little Dancer, by Laurence Anholt, Gr. K-3
- Edgar Degas, by Mike Venezia, Gr. 4-7
Giant Squid
- Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid, Shirley Raye Redmond, Gr. K-3
- Giant Squid: Mystery of the Deep, by Jennifer Dussling, Gr. K-3
- Outside and Inside Giant Squid, Sandra Markle, Gr. 4-8
Read About Other Historical Characters in the Movie
- Albert Einstein
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- Jedediah Smith
- Octavius
- Attila the Hun
- Pharaoh Ahkmenrah
- Ivan the Terrible
- Al Capone
Encourage Young Readers With Good Books
Watch Night at the Museum, eat some popcorn, and discuss what characters and elements in the film intrigued the kids. Then head to the nearest library to explore relevant books, and nurture their enthusiasm for reading and discovery.
Abraham Lincoln, Ingri and Edgar D’Aulaire (Beautiful Feet Books, 2008, ISBN: 978-1893103269)
Abe Lincoln’s Hat, Martha Brenner (Random House, 1994, ISBN: 978-0679849773)
Abe’s Honest Words, Doreen Rappaport (Hyperion, 2008, ISBN: 978-1423104087)
A Picture Book of Amelia Earhart, David Adler (Holiday House, 1999, ISBN: 978-0823415175)
Amelia Earhart, More Than a Flier, Patricia Lakin (Aladdin, 2003, ISBN: 978-0689855757)
Amelia Earhart, The Legend of the Lost Aviator, Shelley Tanaka (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2008, ISBN: 978-0810970953)
Being Teddy Roosevelt, Claudia Mills (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007, ISBN: 978-0374306571)
Theodore Roosevelt, the Adventurous President, by Editors of Time for Kids (HarperCollins, 2005, ISBN: 978-0060576066)
Bully for You, Teddy Roosevelt! Jean Fritz [Putnam Juvenile, 1997, ISBN: 978-0698116092)
Custer’s Last Stand, Joeming Dunn (Magic Wagon, 2008, ISBN: 978-1602701816)
Andy & Mark and the Time Machine: Custer’s Last Stand, Wilfred Reed (IUniverse, 2003, ISBN: 978-0595264964)
A Picture Book of Sacagawea, David Adler (Holiday House, 2001, ISBN: 978-0823416653)
I Am Sacajawea, I Am York: Our Journey West with Lewis and Clark, Claire Rudolph Murphy (Walker Books, 2005, ISBN: 978-0802789211)
Sacajawea, Joseph Bruchac (Sandpiper, 2008, ISBN: 978-0152064556)
My Brothers’ Flying Machine: Wilbur, Orville, and Me: Jane Yolen (Little, Brown Young Readers, 2003, ISBN: 978-0316971591)
First Flight: The Wright Brothers, Caryn Jenner (DK Children, 2003, ISBN: 978-0789492913)
To Fly: The Story of the Wright Brothers, Wendie C. Old (Clarion, 2002, ISBN: 978-0618133475)
The Life and Work of Auguste Rodin, Richard Tames (Heinemann, 2006, ISBN: 978-1403484994)
Little Sap and Monsieur Rodin, Michelle Lord (Lee & Low, 2006, ISBN: 978-1584302483)
Race into Space, Eric Arnold (Random House, 2004, ISBN: 978-0375801952)
First in Space, James Vining (Oni Press, 2007, ISBN: 978-1932664645)
I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina, Anna Pavlova (Atheneum, 2001, ISBN: 978-0689846762)
Degas and the Little Dancer, Laurence Anholt (Barron’s Educational Series, 2007, ISBN: 978-0764138522)
Edgar Degas, Mike Venezia [(Children’s Press, 2001, ISBN: 978-0516271729)
Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid, Shirley Raye Redmond (Random House, 2003, ISBN: 978-0375813078)
Giant Squid: Mystery of the Deep, Jennifer Dussling (Grosset & Dunlop, 1999, ISBN: 978-0448419954)
Outside and Inside Giant Squid, Sandra Markle (Walker Books, 2005, ISBN: 978-0802777249)
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