Books About Filmmaking

The Best Filmmaking Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Movie Books, featuring 13 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about filmmaking? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

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The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Filmmaking

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Sale price

$958

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2022

Mayor Good Boy Goes Hollywood

By Dave Scheidt, Miranda Harmon · Book #2 in the Mayor Good Boy series

A dog mayor's movie debut is threatened by crooks. Can he save the day?

224 pages· 6,001 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 149 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Hardcover

Summary: Mayor Good Boy, the canine leader of Greenwood, is set to star in his own movie. But when crooks threaten to ruin the production, it's up to him and his trusty interns, Abby and Aaron, to save the day. With mysterious thefts and stolen pizzas, can they outsmart the villains and ensure the film's success? Join this hilarious adventure filled with unexpected twists and canine charm.

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: The Next Chapter

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Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: The Next Chapter

By Jeff Kinney

Discover the chaos and creativity behind making a movie, from seagulls to robot pigs.

208 pages· 12,266 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 3,225 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Join a thrilling behind-the-scenes adventure in 'The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: The Next Chapter.' Explore the unpredictable world of filmmaking with exclusive insights into 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul.' Experience the chaos of filming seagulls invading a minivan, meet a robot pig, and uncover the secrets of an animatronic toddler. This journey is filled with unexpected twists, offering a glimpse into the wild ride of movie production. Will the team overcome the challenges and bring their vision to life? Dive in to find out!

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Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Marcus Makes a Movie

By Kevin Hart, David Cooper (Illustrator) · Marcus series

A boy dreams of making a superhero movie but needs help to succeed.

208 pages· 32,741 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 811 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Marcus dreams of turning his superhero drawings into a movie, but he has no clue how. With help from friends, a creative classmate, and even a local bully, he embarks on a hilarious journey to make his dream a reality. Can Marcus overcome the chaos and bring his vision to life?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014

Who Was Alfred Hitchcock?

By Pam Pollack, Meg Belviso, Who HQ, Jonathan Moore (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

Discover how a London boy became the 'Master of Suspense.'

112 pages· 6,738 words· Est. 57 min read

4.1 Goodreads · 476 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Explore the journey of Alfred Hitchcock, the filmmaker who redefined suspense with groundbreaking techniques and unforgettable stories. From a London childhood to creating iconic films like Psycho, uncover the secrets behind his legendary status. What drove his genius, and how did he change cinema forever?

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011

Movie Menace

By Franklin W. Dixon · Book #37 in the The Hardy Boys: Undercover Brothers series

Uncover the truth behind mysterious arson on a movie set.

176 pages· 30,709 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 175 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Frank and Joe Hardy go undercover on a movie set to protect Anya, a rising star who fears for her life after a suspicious fire. As chaos unfolds, the brothers must unravel the mystery before it's too late. Can they expose the culprit behind the mayhem and keep Anya safe, or will the danger lurking in the shadows strike again? Dive into the thrilling first book of a new trilogy where secrets and suspense collide.

Sale price

$759

Picture Book · Ages 5–7 · 2018

Fly Guy and the Alienzz

By Tedd Arnold · Book #18 in the Fly Guy series

A boy makes a movie about aliens with the help of his pet fly.

32 pages· 454 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

4.0 Goodreads · 573 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Buzz and Fly Guy are filming a movie when they find themselves in a real-life adventure. Captured by aliens, the duo must use their wits to escape. With the help of Dragon Dude and Fly Girl, they face space pirates and unexpected challenges. Can they outsmart their captors and save the day? Join this action-packed journey through the cosmos, where every twist brings new excitement and danger.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

A Script for Danger

By Carolyn Keene · Book #10 in the Nancy Drew Diaries series

A movie set is sabotaged. Can Nancy uncover the culprit before disaster strikes?

177 pages· 28,302 words· Est. 4 hour read

3.9 Goodreads · 936 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Nancy Drew visits a movie set in River Heights, where sabotage threatens the production. Explosions, blood-streaked costumes, and ominous notes create chaos. With the film's future at stake, can Nancy solve the mystery before the final scene turns deadly?

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

The Unbeatable Lily Hong

By Diana Ma

A girl who hates coming second must team up with her rival to save a school.

304 pages

3.9 Goodreads · 106 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Lily Hong can't stand being second best, which is why she and Max Zhang have been rivals ever since he showed her up in a fifth-grade reading challenge. Now her parents' Chinese school and the town's community center are in danger, and Lily will use everything she has to save them: devoted friends, ingenuity, a passion for filmmaking, mediocre dance moves and maybe even her archnemesis.

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Sale price

$2374

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Shark Summer

By Ira Marcks

A film contest leads to a mysterious shark hunt on Martha's Vineyard.

304 pages· 5,170 words· Est. 58 min read

3.7 Goodreads · 1,003 ratings

$24.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Disgraced pitcher Gayle Briar sees a chance to redeem her summer when a film crew arrives on Martha's Vineyard. Teaming up with aspiring cinematographer Elijah and moody director Maddie, they dive into a youth film contest. But as they chase the island's phantom shark, they uncover more than they bargained for. Can they capture the truth on camera, or will the lurking dangers pull them under? Join this unlikely trio as they navigate friendship, mystery, and the shadows beneath the waves in a quest for redemption and discovery.

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Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Lights, Camera, Middle School!

By Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Babymouse: Tales from the Locker series

Middle school is a monster movie. Can Babymouse's film dreams survive the chaos?

224 pages· 13,166 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

3.8 Goodreads · 648 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Babymouse faces middle school like a monster movie, where mean-girl zombies roam the halls. Determined to stand out, she joins the film club to create her cinematic masterpiece. But as she navigates the treacherous social landscape, will her dream project become a nightmare? With humor and heart, Babymouse tackles the challenges of fitting in while staying true to herself. Can she survive the drama and make her mark, or will the pressure of middle school consume her ambitions? Discover the twists and turns in this illustrated adventure that redefines what it means to be different.

Ages 7–10Junior Chapter Book Club