Stellaluna (2004)

I won't compare the DVD to the book or CD-ROM since (as is always the case) a book is not a movie. (Gee, I really love this apple -- but it sure isn't as juicy as an orange!) The original soundtrack on Stellaluna is excellent esp. the Ladysmith Black Mambazo-like transitions and the two original songs, "Upside Down" and the calypso send-up "Best in You." The animation is very good and the voice talent is consistently impressive, esp. Stellaluna, her mother, and the bird family. A jumping spider with superhero delusions named Horatio adds some cartoonish schmaltz (for example, with bee-yoing sound effects). For the most part though Stellaluna is a find-your-gifts growing-up story that teaches kids learning to trust in who they are is the first step to becoming the best they can be. The only danger comes from a swooping owl but the threat level is so low I think most 4-year-olds will be all right. The singalong version of the story runs 41 minutes. Special features include a how-to-draw-Stellaluna lesson and I learned a number of things I didn't know about bats from a nicely done presentation that runs 14 minutes by Kim Williams, a bat expert based in Michigan who gets air time on educational TV. I'd give the production 4 stars but it's as cutesy as The Land Before Time, so I'm holding it to 3.5 stars.