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The Girl Who Hated Books

2006 7 min
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This animated short about literacy introduces us to Meena, a young girl who hates books even though her parents love to read. Books are everywhere in Meena's house, in cupboards, drawers and even piled up on the stairs. Still, she refuses to even open one up. But when her cat Max accidentally knocks down a huge stack, pandemonium ensues and nothing is ever the same again. Part of the Talespinners collection, which uses vibrant animation to bring popular children’s stories from a wide range of cultural communities to the screen.

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The Girl Who Hated Books
  • Talespinners
    Talespinners
    2000 15 films
    Talespinners, for ages 5-9, includes seven tales of children who confront challenges with ingenuity and creativity. Each story brings facets of a different cultural community to the screen, through a setting, accent, folk element, tradition, particular food or vocabulary. Young viewers will be captivated by the adventures and determination of the Talespinners’ children. This collection includes four original tales and three inspired by books. The stories have particular appeal to modern kids growing up in a complicated world.

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This animated short about literacy introduces us to Meena, a young girl who hates books even though her parents love to read. Books are everywhere in Meena's house, in cupboards, drawers and even piled up on the stairs. Still, she refuses to even open one up. But when her cat Max accidentally knocks down a huge stack, pandemonium ensues and nothing is ever the same again.


Part of the Talespinners collection, which uses vibrant animation to bring popular children’s stories from a wide range of cultural communities to the screen.

Literature and Language Literature and Language - Canada Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Children and Youth All subjects
Animation for Kids Based on Children's Books All channels
  • director
    Jo Meuris
  • animator
    Jo Meuris
  • additional animation
    Samantha Youssef
    Christopher Goodkey
    Luc Chamberland
  • animation assistant
    Shira Avni
    Roxanne Ducharme
    Mathieu Caron Dandurand
    Jean-Martin Casseus
  • voice
    Michael Rudder
    Elizabeth Lofranco
    Harry Standjofski
    Thor Bishopric
  • original music composer
    Janet Lumb
    Dino Giancola
  • writer
    Sugith Varughese
  • digital imaging specialist
    Susan Gourley
  • colour design
    Anne Ashton
  • infographist
    Randall Finnerty
    Jason Smalridge
    Catherine Lafortune
    Martine Henri
    Jean Yuson
    Itsik Romano
    Stephan Gaudreault
    Neerajkumar Patel
  • picture editor
    Oana Suteu
  • sound editor
    Don Ayer
  • foley artist
    Karla Baumgardner
  • assistant foley artist
    Rod Thibeault
  • foley recording
    Luc Léger
  • voice recording
    Audio Postproduction SPR Inc.
  • re-recording
    Serge Boivin
  • scan
    Jean-Marc Brosseau
  • video output
    Jean-Marc Brosseau
  • online editing
    Denis Gathelier
  • titles
    Gaspard Gaudreau
  • technical coordination
    Jelena Popovic
    Julie Laperrière
  • digital editing technician
    Phyllis Lewis
    Martine Forget
  • studio administration
    Gisèle Guilbault
    Rosalina Di Sario
  • marketing manager
    Hélène Tanguay
    Melissa Wheeler
  • executive producer
    David Verrall
    Sally Bochner
  • producer
    Tamara Lynch

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Education

Ages 6 to 13
School subjects
English Language Arts - CanLit English Language Arts - Children's Stories/Fables Health/Personal Development - Healthy Relationships
Inspire students to become more open-minded about things they are unfamiliar with or wary of. Brainstorm/mind-map experiences that are unknown, have students journal/role-play about what might happen during them. Encourage/empower students to face underlying fears by learning about something that intimidates them. Make a “Bucket List.” The film can also be a useful tool for reluctant readers; have them explore different genres and use imagery to relate books to life or fantasy.
The Girl Who Hated Books
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Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.

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