‘Balto II,’ a Sequel With Depth

Video

“Balto II: Wolf Quest,” Universal Studios Home Video. VHS: $14. DVD: $20. Ages 6 and older. www.balto2.com

Solid storytelling, believable characters, healthy messages about right and wrong--and about not letting what we are define who we are--plus eye-filling background art, and music and songs that are a bit more than the generic pop sound found in today’s animated sagas: This sequel to 1995’s “Balto,” about the adventures of a heroic half-wolf dog, is family entertainment with depth.

This time around, it’s Balto’s daughter, Aleu, who feels like an outsider among her dog kin--she looks even more like a wolf than her father. When she realizes that she must find out where she belongs and what kind of “music sings inside” her, Balto joins her on her quest. The two are guided by his dream spirits, led by a raven and Balto’s wolf mother, until Aleu finds her destiny.

Directed by Phil Weinstein and written by Dev Ross, the film features a fine voice cast that includes David Carradine, Lacey Chabert, Mark Hamill, Maurice LeMarche, Jodi Benson and Peter MacNichol. Inspired by traditional Indian songs and chants, Adam Berry did the music, with songs by Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom. The beautiful art of sky, forest and sea is dramatic and painterly; background artists are Jonathan Salt, Wei Zhao and Lin Zheng.

Parents should be aware that some scenes of conflict and separation from family may resonate too keenly for preschoolers.

Audio

Donovan: Pied Piper. Music for Little People. CD: $17. Cassette: $11. (800) 346-4445. Nostalgic adults and ages 3 to 7. www.mflp.com

It may give baby boomers pause to hear 1960s icon Donovan crooning tunes for children--and, gulp, his grandkids join him on the “People Call Me the Pied Piper” track--but his peaceful flower-power spirit works like a charm in such original tunes as the tale-spinning “Jackie Beanstalk” and the cozy “Little Teddy Bear.”

The acoustic instrumentals are fine stuff, and older Donovan fans will appreciate hearing such classics, their lyrics tailored for young listeners, as “Happiness Runs,” “Little Boy in Corduroy,” “Colors” and others.

Harry Connick Jr.: Songs I Heard. Columbia Records. CD: $16. Adults, and ages 5 and older. www.sonymusicdirect.com

Fans of gifted song stylist Harry Connick Jr. and his big-band sound already know about these sophisticated renditions of songs from “Mary Poppins,” “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Wizard of Oz” and other stage and film classics. For those who don’t, this multilayered album, with its gorgeous instrumentals and Connick’s expressive vocals, is a treasure trove of rambunctious, soulful, classy arrangements for family listening.

Dom DeLuise: Gimme a Smile. Titanium Music Enterprises. CD: $11. Ages 3 to 6. www.domdeluise.com

Like a jolly grandpa-next-door type--who wanders off-key when he sings but does so with undiminished gusto--comedy maestro Dom DeLuise puts his signature irrepressible stamp on simple, traditional-style humorous songs for young children, sunnily crooning ditties about kangaroos and anteaters, a “highfalootin, rootin’-tootin’ owl,” a “Piano Playing Mouse” and odes to pizza (“My Favorite Pie”) and vegetables (“Concerto for Veggies”).