And a child shall lead them... My top 10 animated movies for young children Feb 25 '06    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Movies Under the Tuscan Sun From $9 Casablanca From $1 The Bottom Line These are my picks for the best theater-release animated movies aimed at toddlers and elementary school kids (in no particular order). I decided it was time to get in on the Top 10 craze and post my own list of great movies for kids. Unfortunately, once I started listing, I found I had around 100 note-worthy movies aimed at the younger set. Since I can't think of any possible way to eliminate 90% of the films on my list, I improved my odds by breaking down into sub-categories. My first list will be aimed at animated movies for toddlers on up. All the movies I'm listing here were originally released on the big screen, so there will be no direct-to-video titles here. Also, many movies didn't make this list because they were too scary either for my kids when they were little, or for other toddlers I knew well. I also did my best to eliminate any movies that contain crude jokes, bathroom humor, or double entendre inappropriate for pre-schoolers. I hope the ones I've picked are as fun for you as they were for us. 101 Dalmatians Puppies, puppies and more puppies! What's not to love? Some sensitive kids may be bothered by Cruella De Ville's desire for a puppy-skin coat, but she and her flunkies get theirs in the end with all puppies safe. This Disney Classic is entertaining for the little ones and a trip down memory lane for mom and dad. Toy Story A modern marvel, this tale of toys that come to life when nobody's looking captured the imagination of a whole generation. The rivalry between Buzz, a new-fangled spaceman, and Woody, a '50s era cowboy toy, parallels the kinds of culture clash anyone might experience when there's a new kid in town. Monsters, Inc. A personal favorite, this story plays off the idea of the monster in the closet. Part buddy tale, part good vs. evil story, this is a movie that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Some scenes may be mildly frightening to the youngest viewers, but all the nastiness gets resolved in the end. Dumbo Another classic, this tale of a flying baby elephant will make little kids giggle with glee. Of course, you must be prepared with the Kleenex for mom (or maybe dad) when Dumbo is separated from his mother. This is a story about loyalty, unconditional love, and genuine friendship – ideals we all want our kids to find. Lady and the Tramp This story about misunderstanding, finding friendship in unexpected places, and experiencing ultimate redemption and belonging is another longtime favorite. The Tramp and his buddies may look like scoundrels, but they take good care of Lady when she is unfairly tossed out of her happy home. Drat those Siamese cats anyway. Charlotte's Web Probably the most 'old school' and docile of the films on my list, this animated rendition of E.B. White's award winning book is a great quiet-time movie for any age. There are so many levels to this story that it's hard to encapsulate in just a few sentences – girl saves pig, spider saves pig, pig befriends spider babies... all in all a cute and emotional film. Brave Little Toaster Appliances left alone in a house fear that they've been abandoned and head out in search of their 8-year-old master. This is at once a frivolous fantasy about a talking toaster, and a deeper story of loyalty and friendship. Little kids love will love it. Finding Nemo Again a story about being separated from the ones you love most – Finding Nemo follows a little fish captured for a display tank, and the father who is desperate to find his only son. Adorable story, but at times somewhat intense. The Polar Express Using breakthrough animation techniques, Tom Hanks acts out the skeptical child, the train conductor, the wandering hobo (an addition for the movie) and even Santa himself in this adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's award winning picture book. Though this one played to mixed reviews, I thought it was a charming visual depiction of the Christmas spirit. Peter Pan I won't grow up. No really, I won't. The proof is that I still love all these kids' movies. Peter is the ultimate boy who refused to grow up. His battles with Captain Hook amuse and delight the Darling children who have come to Neverland for spring cleaning. *********************** I wish I could add more than 10 to the list... so I will. The following movies all meet my arbitrary criteria of being both relatively free of nightmare inducing sequences, and not resorting to bathroom humor you wouldn't want repeated by a 4-year-old. American Tail Iron Giant The Fox and the Hound The Rescuers Fern Gully

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