Recommended Carrollian adaptations for younger viewers

 This list is a recommendation of adaptations and books for more younger audiences and families. Since often Alice is used to tip towards a more adult demographic who want "dark" things, you can consider this list a list of things that most ages can enjoy. Age brackets will tell you when you can use what.

A quick note: I'm not going to be including the 1951 Disney animation on this list, purely because you all already know that exists. Most of what I will include here will be more closer to Carroll's novels, I'll note when something isn't. Without further ado...

For youngest ages ( 3 - 6)

Alix et les Merveilleux, TV5MONDE (also works well for older age groups or French learners)

This series requires you to know French, so for people learning French and French speakers, this is a treat for you. This isn't an adaptation of the Carroll books but it will absolutely prime young viewers for encountering them later in life. 7 year old Alix daydreams she goes through her mirror and encounters and befriends the Wonderfolk, consisting of a Hatter (who runs a hat shop) a Hare (who is a musician) a chief of security (who is like if you combined the footman Wonderland characters with the caterpillar) the Walrus (who runs a magical shop, similar to the Sheep in Looking-Glass) and Gros Coco (a young overexcited egg) The friends adventures are generally complicated by the Grande Patronne, who is a softer analogue to the Queen of Hearts. Mayhem, nonsense, and fun ensue.

Sesame Street: Abby in Wonderland

Familiar characters of the long running educational show are transformed in a cute, soft adaptation of Wonderland. Available in English only.

Hello Kitty: Alice in Wonderland

An episode of Hello Kitty where Kitty becomes a stand in for Alice, like the sesame street example above, this episode introduces Wonderland as a story whilst providing a softer, more comforting spin on the tale. Has many dubs in many languages.

Book: One Day in Wonderland book by Kathleen Krull

This picture book, designed to be read by adults to children, explains the storytelling event that created the Alice books. Has lots of fun and beautiful illustrations. Available in English and Chinese.

7 - 9 years old

Books: Usborne's Alice

For those slightly too young to deal with the Victorian words in Carroll's text, Usborne offers a great solution, its Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking-Glass adapted by Lesley Sims and illustrated by Mauro Evangelista offer almost all of Carroll's stories but simplified in vocabulary. In English, these are available in a gift edition called The Usborne illustrated Alice. Separately the 2 books have been translated into French, Russian, and other languages.

Books: Alice's adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

At a slightly older age, you can actually introduce the original books to children. Depending on country, they may study it in school, it depends. At these ages, make sure you get editions that have fun looking illustrations, nothing boring. A personal recommendation would be the Alice160 complete Alice in English, which has beautiful colourised Tenniel illustrations. If you're going for something more modern looking, Helen Oxenbury illustrated both Wonderland and Looking-Glass specifically for child readers in English in the late 1990s to 2000s.

1985 Irwin Allen TV series, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass

This series has aged, no doubt about it, in terms of effects used. However, it is still one of the only versions to adapt both novels, and it has a generally cutesy vibe to it, with even the rubber suit Jabberwock likely looking silly. Natalie Gregory doesn't exactly capture the wide eyed eccentricity of Alice, coming off more as a child actress cliché. For this reason I recommend also watching another version from this list. If a child is particularly sensitive there's a chance the scenes with the Jabberwock might frighten them - which is why its placed at this higher age bracket, despite its general sunniness. If you're Italian or know Italian, swap this choice for the similarly complete, and also similarly aged 1974 RAI TV series.

1972 William Stirling film, Alice's adventures in Wonderland

William Stirling's slow, if magical, british musical can be enchanting, especially if children like the films of studio Ghibli - there's a similar slowness to some of the scenes here. Like a lot of adaptations, this one is a musical, and actually scored by a film composer, so unlike 1985, the songs feel more organic. Fiona Fullerton plays Alice perfectly. Dubbing in multiple languages and subtitles exist.

2021 Alice in Backlands/Alice dos anjos, Daniel Leite Almeida

This Brazilian TV film is rated Libre or General Audiences, but I've placed it here because it touches on the theme of death, and is also slow paced. Those who do appreciate Alice's adventures in a Northeastern brazil located Wonderland will find a tender, beautiful, and funny experience. Aside from Portuguese speakers, subtitles in English only exist at the moment. 

Play: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Adrian Mitchell

If a child likes performing and theatre, there's a chance they will like this specific theatre version. (originally produced by RSC in UK) The script is available worldwide in English, but if you can, do try and take a child to see a production of this specific adaptation, it should be a magical experience. To be honest, I recommend this for all but the youngest.

Book: The Other Alice novel by Christina Björk.

Alice Liddell and her friendship with Charles Dodgson and general life explained for young readers in a historical novel. Available in English, Swedish, and Italian. Alternatively, Who was Lewis Carroll? by Pam Pollack is an option, although that is more basic in information.

10 + years old

Book: The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll

Carroll's 2nd nonsense masterpiece fits better with older children who can try navigating its puzzle style narrative. Its much darker than the Alice novels, but just as dazzling. An illustrated version like Tove Janssen's would work well.

1982 Alice at the Palace, Emile Ardolino

A musical theatre recording where Alice is played by Meryl Streep and every song is in a different style. Elizabeth Swados's musical is extremely unique - plus most of Carroll's novels are covered. No dubs or subtitles available for this one sadly, its in English only. Readable script can be brought from Samuel french/Concord Theatricals if kids like acting.

1981/1982 Алиса в стране чудес/Алиса в Зазеркалье (Alisa v strane Chudes/Alisa v Zazerkalye)

These 2 animated versions from the USSR are made out of a combination of paper cut out animation and hand drawn animation. Faithful to both books, they are most useful at an age where children appreciate art and perhaps are studying art. Try and find video uploads with subtitles, they are around online.

1998 Alice through the Looking Glass, John Henderson

Do not confuse with other adaptations of the same name, I'm talking about the 1998 UK Channel 4 version here. Kate Beckinsale plays a mother who becomes 7 year old Alice after going through a mirror. Remarkably faithful to the novel its adapted from, the occasionally dark atmosphere of this one will suit ages where just whimsy by itself doesn't cut it anymore. Dubbing and subtitles exists in multiple languages.

Teens (12 - 16)

1988 Alice, Jan Svankmajer

A note of caution with this one. Whilst it is dazzling, introduce it at the wrong age and children might have nightmares forever. Although rated PG in the UK, Svankmajer's version definitely packs a punch, which is why its at this top age category. In France and UK, its considered a family film yes, but its at the highest bracket of that. Brave kids aged 11 + may indeed find their new obsession, however. Dubbing and subtitles exist in multiple languages.

2019 Wonder.land, National Theatre, Moira Buffini, Rufus Norris, Damon Albarn

National Theatre UK takes on Carroll's tales in this bizarre coming of age musical about teen Aly and her decent into an online Wonderland as Alice. Containing a subplot about school bullying and family collapse, it has depth that older kids at 12 + and young teens will appreciate. A readable script is published by faber and faber UK. Just English subtitles available on uploads for now.

2012 Alice im Wunderland

This curious dance theatre adaptation will appeal to older teens who are studying psychology or sociology. It takes place in a shopping centre in Berlin and looks at the complexities of consumerism, identity, capitalism, and aging. Its more fun than it sounds, I promise. Available just with English subtitles.

Book: The Mystery of Lewis Carroll, book, Jenny Woolf.

For older teens and above, this biography explains Charles Dodgson's life with flair and warmth. It also introduces the concept of the Carroll Myth, which is why I placed this at the highest age category. Available in English only.

2020 Alice and the land that Wonders, Giulia Grandinetti

This Italian film deals with a mental health spiral and also teen life, something that older teens who wish for a darker take on Alice will empathise with. Sadly it is very hard to find online outside of Italy at the moment.

Dive in Wonderland: With Alice in Wonderland will release in Europe in 2026

 

A new year treat for European carrollians!

Feature length anime inspired by Lewis Carroll's timeless novels. In-crisis university student Rise (Nanoka Hara) tumbles into Wonderland and meets Alice (Maika Pugh) The two have curious adventures in a whimsical, nonsensical world.  

P.A Works's Anime for Alice160, Alice in Wonderland: Dive in Wonderland, will release in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland on the 14th of January, and elsewhere in Europe very soon.

 Distributors ADN Anime have confirmed territories for future release are: Spain, Netherlands, and Germany. You can read their press release (in French) here. 

UPDATE 15/01/26:

There will in fact be a UK release! HOWEVER, it is only for 2 days officially (18th and 19th of    January) and is in selected Odeon cinemas (Book here) There is also no disability access due to it being presented as event cinema, which is a real shame. 

Alice160... happened

(Charlotte Bradley as Alice and Daniel Page as the Queen of Hearts in Penny Farrow's Alice in Wonderland, London UK cast. Image by Steve Gregson)

As we're coming towards the end of Alice160, the 160th anniversary of the publication of the first Alice book, Alice's adventures in Wonderland, its worth reflecting on what this anniversary has meant and what events took place. I really do wonder what cultural studies scholars (such as Will Brooker) will make of this anniversary. Unlike 1932 or 1997, it is not a birth-year centenary for Dodgson. Like 2015, it is an anniversary of the first Alice novel's publication, except this year lacked major projects for the most part. Its worth thinking, first and foremost, on what an anniversary's purpose is. We might say to re-engage the general public on why a work of art exists and why it matters. With long dead artists like Dodgson, anniversaries help to keep the work relevant. In that regard, I think we can say that Alice160 has mostly worked, even if there are big gaps with mainstream projects this year just not really popping up. 

I'm going to focus on the UK the most here, since I know this place the best. If you as an international reader had a different or better Alice160 experience, I do hope you enjoyed it!

In the UK, the year has been dominated by smaller celebrations, often with a community focus. You can see this with the wool based character installations in Rugby, and a wealth of community theatre productions, normally of Duffield's adaptation, Wade's modern adaptation, or La Gaillenne's adaptation of almost everything.

(Aside: Adrian Mitchell's 2 part version (also known as the RSC/Royal Shakespeare Company Alice) is still criminally underseen in theatres, despite being the best script on the market. I maintain it does both books better than La Gaillenne's does. I strongly recommend theatres go for Mitchell when considering a version of Alice to produce.)  

The big theatre project this year was Penny Farrow's sell out musical Alice coming to London with a new UK cast (it had premiered in Sydney a few years ago). I didn't get to see this, and unfortunately I don't think it has a published script so I can't review it. However it got rave reviews in the press, with many saying that it had same whimsy and spirit as the novels. There was no brand new big theatre creation like for 150, where we had Wonder.land from National Theatre. Several new works have popped up for the festive season, although at the moment no one knows if Geoff Aymer's modern Peckham set adaptation or Chinonyerem Odimba's play will go the distance, or even if those two will be published or get good reviews. We'll see!

The biggest new bit of information academically we had this year was the collection donated to Oxford University, something I hope will get a catalogue book or digitalised listings. 

Film/TV this year was sadly mostly an off year. There are 2 Alice160 projects, but you'll likely see them next year. The P.A works anime Dive in Wonderland, with dual Alice characters, and the Russian/Estonian musical Alisa v Strane Chrudes. Both, oddly enough, have had very mixed reviews in regions that have had first release. Dive has been criticised for being too random and Alisa has been criticised for not adhering enough to the audio musical its adapting. Time will tell if these critiques are relevant for worldwide viewers of these works. 

I noticed the most in the UK, that events around Alice160 were almost always to do with the novels, or adaptations of them. This is fantastic, but the keen eyed among you may have noticed something. Apart from small things here and there, minimal mention of Lewis Carroll/Charles Dodgson himself! Unfortunately the biographical elements were mostly missing from this anniversary year. Culturally the UK seems somewhat keen to capitalise on Alice160, but very much not keen to talk about Charles Dodgson.

After 25 years of post myth research (Leach, Woolf, ect) I have to wonder why!

Cursed Alice found media: late night aired Channel 4 version

(Hetty Baynes as Alice and other actors at the tea party scene, in the TV special's first half. Image credit: IMDB)

This is a difficult one to talk about, sorry if I make any errors on the background. If you know more about this than me, its fine!

Channel 4 and Ken Russell (yes the UK director provocateur, you can see where this is going already) made in 1995 a version of Alice that for reasons unknown, relays the history of the Soviet Union/USSR, with particular focus on Russia. Channel 4 gave Russell the money out of the documentary side of the budget, so yes this does count as that. It doesn't feel like it for various reasons (I'll explain in a bit) but its technically a history documentary. The piece was called "Alice in Russialand" and it aired on late night channel 4, I believe airing twice in 1995 and 1996. It then vanished for decades, and finally turned up on lost media Reddit, someone finding it through a VHS tape from Brazilian 1990s TV, where it also appears to have aired, late night on an arts channel.

What is this version like? Despite NOT being extreme as Russell's other work (he was working to Channel 4 broadcast rules after all) it still manages to be eyebrow raising and rather alarming in terms of tone in many places. If you thought the Svankmajer 1988 version was creepy, goodness.

It doesn't start this way, though. It starts in a fairly normal satire genre place, somewhat similar to Pla's 1976 Argentinian version or 1988 Svankmajer, using political figures as stand ins for Wonderland characters. The atmosphere however feels off. As if there is something wrong with the tone of the work. You can see it in how Hetty Baynes acts as Alice. So sincere that she crosses over to creepy. She looks like Tenniel's illustration, except her smile is far too wide and she's far too detached from everything she comes across. Baynes plays this role perfectly. You will have chills.

7 year old Alice really just wants to see a ballet, but unfortunately for her, she's stuck in a history lesson which goes through 200 years of Russian/USSR history all the way up to 1995. You think this might upset her, an unwanted difficult, long history lesson when all she wants is to see theatre, but because of how off this version is, Baynes's Alice barely cares. Her journey in hour one is also a very quick Alice in Wonderland adaptation, going from doors all the way up to trial fairly faithfully. This part of the special is done like a Victorian style stage play, with elaborate and fairly beautiful sets. The most part of the special has a storybook vibe, despite the satire, until it doesn't. Remember this is absolutely not for children. Remember who the director is... 

Remember how off I said the entire special felt? This comes bursting to the forefront when Alice wakes up under a tree... and meets the cheshire cat. Immediately we're thrown off course. As every Carrollian knows, the cheshire cat comes FAR before, after the Duchess. What is he doing here? He's here to tell Alice he's from Chornobyl, and there, everyone died. The Cat seems to find this hilarious. Alice has to follow him, he apparently knows more information.

Now cat wants to show Alice and us, some clips about the USSR. Some of these are archival clips, some are cultural, some are artistic, and some I wonder if Russell just made up himself. The way the compilations of clips are organised are to be as jarring as possible. Some feature overlays upon overlays and dissonant sound. Again I think some of this may be edited by Russell. I couldn't find it confirmed. At some point, your jaw will be on the floor just due to the amount of clips and noise and distortion. As Alice sees 1995 new year across Europe, she finally wakes up...

Oh wait. She doesn't (again). No er.. Alice's reality with her sister is revealed to be just part of a massive book set. Those elaborate book sets from hour one were a part of it. There is no riverbank reality.  Baynes's Alice can't go home. She can never go home.

Sneaks up on you, doesn't it?

I'm not sure who I'd recommend this to. It is very much a curio. History scholars would find it interesting. Europe scholars would too, also film historians. People who like Russell's work would like this. Even though its intended as a documentary, the abrupt shifts in tone and the fact you are never sure where you sit with it, that's more psychological horror. I'm sure a normal documentary could have been done, but its the left turn halfway through this that you'll really remember.