Books to Read Before They Become Movies

In film version of The BFG—that's "big friendly giant"—Steven Spielberg whips up a whimsical tale (out July 1), about the bond between a young orphan, Sophie, and an oversize friend who needs a little help dispensing with some very oversize bullies. Roald Dahl had been inventing enchanting children's tales well before E.T. was a glimmer in Spielberg's eye and his main strength was how he created scary characters (say, kiddie-eating giants) that delighted rather than terrified young readers.