Kikoriki: Legend of the Golden Dragon

Gr 1–4—In this program based on the popular Russian animated TV series, the furry residents of Kikoriki Island are off on another adventure. Wally the sheep wishes he could join his friends. Since he's not as brave as they are, Wally tries a new invention to improve himself, but he hilariously ends up switching bodies with a caterpillar, leaving his friends to help him return to his original shape. The English voice actors give energetic performances that sync up nearly seamlessly with the animation. American audiences will have difficulty understanding the dynamics among the different characters at first, but once the adventure starts and the pace quickens, kids will happily go along for the ride. The computer animation is on par with that of other big-budget animated films, and the jokes are amusing (Wally sleepily says to himself, "Of course I'm wearing a sweater, mom. I'm a sheep!"). Unfortunately, at one point, Wally and his friends save his body from a group of stereotypically dressed, idol-worshipping natives, who are referred to as "savages."