NEW YORK -- Following its recent feature productions "Holes" and "Around the World in 80 Days," indie production shingle Walden Media is continuing to mine the children's lit world by fast-tracking a trio of new adaptations.

The company said Wednesday that it has acquired rights to Katherine Paterson's "Bridge to Terabithia" as well as Australian author Wendy Orr's "Nim's Island." Walden also has tapped "Antz" co-writer Todd Alcott to adapt another children's novel, "The Giver," for the silver screen.

Published in 1977 by HarperCollins, the Newbery Award-winning "Bridge" follows the story of an 11-year-old boy whose life is changed forever when he befriends the class outsider, a girl. Together they create the world of Terabithia, an imaginary kingdom filled with giants, trolls and other magical beings.

"Rugrats Go Wild!" producer Gabor Csupo will direct "Bridge" as his first live-action endeavor, and Lauren Levine ("I Am David") will produce with the author's son, David Paterson.

Walden production executive Julie Daggett will oversee the project, reporting to exec vp production Alex Schwartz.

"Nim's Island," is described by the film's producers as a heartfelt and hilarious adventure that chronicles the exploits of Nim, a young girl living a high-tech Robinson Crusoe existence on an unspoiled tropical island with her scientist father and her three best friends: a motherly sea lion, a rambunctious iguana and a sea turtle. When Nim's father is lost at sea, the girl must survive alone, while her pen pal, an agoraphobic novelist who lives in New York, must face her fears and come to the girl's rescue.

Random House published "Island" in 2001.

Paula Mazur ("Corrina, Corrina") will produce "Island" and also will pen the screenplay with Joe Kwong. Evan Turner will oversee the project at Walden, reporting to Schwartz.

Walden CEO Cary Granat, former head of Dimension Films, said: "These (projects) are consistent with the overall Walden Media mission to create quality entertainment that engages and enlightens the audience. Walden continues to develop films and accompanying educational outreach programs that will carry forth the vision of these authors who have entrusted us with their work." Added Schwartz: "What links the magical world of (these three projects) is a fantastic proactive child at the center of each story. Like 'Holes' and (Walden's upcoming franchise) 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,' we are thrilled at the prospect of bringing three more classic children's novels to the screen and to a whole new audience."

"Giver" is being produced by Walden, along with Jeff Bridges and his AsIs Prods., as well as RCN Entertainment. Bridges and Walden first announced the project in 2002, after Bridges' daughter brought the book to his attention. The film follows Jonas, a 12-year-old boy living in an idyllic future society where all memory of human history has been erased.

A subsidiary of the Anschutz Co., Walden was founded by Granat and educator Michael Flaherty to produce films, TV shows, live theater, books and interactive media that "strive to inspire, engage, enlighten and entertain."

"Lion, Witch and Wardrobe," Walden's first installment in its "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, is being directed by Andrew Adamson ("Shrek"). The company's big-budget adventure epic "Around the World in 80 Days" will be distributed through the Walt Disney Co., which also has rolled out Walden's "Ghosts of the Abyss" and "Holes."