"The NeverEnding Story" should never have been made into a movie. It's almost ironic.
Every time a child watches the movie instead of reading the book, that's an opportunity lost.
I'm a huge reader, massive... like, I spent up until I was about 29, 30 or so going to the library every week or two and getting 10 books out every time (That was the most you could get). I'd have read them all, and be champing at the bit to go back well within the week... it was a regular trip for us to go.
I've never actually read the Never Ending Story, and I loved the movie... one of my favourite childhood movies.
You should definitely read it but I think the great thing about the book is that it can turn a kid into a reader. When they've watched the movie already I think some of the magic is gone and it's not as impactful.
YES! I read the book a long time before I saw the film and was so disappointed when I finally got around to watching it. And then I know people who read the book years after seeing the film and didn't like it, because it was so different to what they were expecting. And that's such a shame, because the film just doesn't have the same depth to it.