Little Shepherd (2002)

Little Shepherd is a simply animated, quasibiblical Lutheran production with the clear target demographic of evangelical children aged 1-6. Didactic at best, its sappy sentimentalism and pureed Judeo-Christianity will likely cause gastronomic reflux in any adult who isn't the parent of such a child or given to overt displays of pietism. Our story begins with the young shepherd-to-be gamboling with his blue-eyed lamb even as reports of wolves threaten the flocks. His wise grandfather counsels him in faith and courage while his just-the-facts father calls him to task and sneers at the Jewish hope in a Messiah. As his foil, a younger sister constantly picks on him and says she wants to be a shepherd -- but must learn to do woman's work instead. The voice talent is acceptable but the script is quite formulaic (to put it nicely). The Little Drummer Boy has more authentic emotion in its pinky finger than this entire show, which concludes soon after Mary says, "Baby Jesus needs a good shepherd to look after [his lamb]." IW. 2.5 stars.