Why Is It Impossible to Create a Good Feature Film From a Picture Book?

We all saw the trailer.

Oh, what’s that? You didn’t have the pleasure yet? Then allow me:

The sentence I heard the most when it premiered was, “Where did that come from?” Or, “I didn’t even know they were making that!”

I knew, but only because of a freak accident. About two years ago my in-laws informed me that a movie studio was recording the film Harold and the Purple Crayon across the street from their home in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. “Is there a hot air balloon...