Spoon

Based on the 2009 picture book written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Scott Magoon, this animated adaptation is narrated by the author. Part of a family of utensils, young protagonist Spoon here visits his “fancy and proper” Aunt Silver, and hears a bedtime story about his great-grandmother who fell in love with a dish (as the old nursery rhyme goes). One thing has Spoon “bent out of shape,” however; he's jealous of his friends' attributes: Knife gets to cut and spread things, Fork gets to go everywhere, and the Chopsticks are totally exotic compared to Spoon. But his mom reminds him of (and his pals weigh in on) the ways in which his usefulness is completely unique, ultimately making Spoon feel pretty darn cool after all. Featuring music by Jack Sundrud and Rusty Young, with appropriate sound effects (such as the “clink” of a cereal bowl), DVD extras include an interview with Rosenthal, a featurette with the composers, and a read-along option. Recommended. Aud: K, P. (J. Williams-Wood)