 The child named Winkelman is played by director Mel Stuart (qv)s  son Peter Stuart (I) (qv). Also, a girl in the classroom is played  by Madeline Stuart (qv), the directors daughter. She was ten  years old in 1970 and she suggested her dad undertake the project  after reading the book. When she read the book, she suggested to her  father that he approach "Uncle Dave" (producer  David L. Wolper (qv)) with the idea of turning the book into a  movie.