Hermie & Friends: Webster the Scaredy Spider

Based on the popular stories by Christian children's author/minister Max Lucado, this third entry in the Hermie & Friends religious-morals ‘n' bug-buddies series centers on Webster, the titular anxious arachnid. Prefaced by a brief segment in which Lucado talks to Hermie (Tim Conway) about fears (citing Isaiah 41:10, the Lord's proclamation: “Do not fear, for I am with you”), this good-natured tale finds Webster--voiced by Tahj Mowry (Kim Possible)--freaking out the rest of the garden-dwelling insects, who are disturbed about cohabitating with a spider, but unaware that bespectacled Webster is no threat to anyone; in fact, he's afraid of everything from heights to leaves, and only starting to come out of his shell with the help of Hermie. Despite Webster's skills--he had an extensive vocabulary and is a virtuoso piano player--he is still nervous all the time, but finds his inner strength after a chat with God helps him to overcome challenges (he even rescues some ladybugs from a lizard, endearing him to the rest of the community). Featuring the songs “Why Can't I Be Like Others” and “Webster's Fearless Rap,” the DVD version boasts a bevy of extra features, including a behind-the-scenes featurette (and one on stars' fears), sing-along songs, outtakes, and the read-along story “Hermie and the Big Bully Croaker.” Recommended. Aud: K, P. (J. Williams-Wood)