Tabby McTat

Having seen all of the Magic Light Pictures versions of Julia Donaldson's books, I can confidently say this is the best one, by a country mile.

As a father of a 2.5 year old, her stories are a mainstay in my household, and I've seen the animated films what feels like hundreds of times. Most are good to excellent - The Snail and The Whale, and Room on the Broom are particularly strong - but this heart warming story is top of the pile and will hit you hard in the feels.

Tabby McTat is Fred the busker's cat. They spend their days singing to the London crowds and enjoying each other's friendship. When Tabby meets another cat whilst chasing a bug, spending the afternoon playing/flirting, and at the same time Fred is injured chasing a thief, they are separated. Tabby is taken in by the other cat's family and starts one of his own, but his loyalty to Fred is strong and he sets off to find him again.

This is unusual for a JD story in that it isn't set in a fantasy world, and is a fairly complex story for young children about friendship, loyalty and homelessness, but it is beautifully animated with excellent music and will tug right on your heartstrings. If you're the emotional type you will undoubtedly be glassy-eyed by the end.

I'm sure this will be watched many times more in this house and hopefully, with time, I'll learn not to cry so much.

Superb.