Children of all ages can learn to celebrate individual differences by watching Dumbo, Walt Disney’s heartwarming animated movie about an elephant born with ears big enough to wrap around his whole body. What starts out as a handicap ends up being the very thing that makes Dumbo something special -- the world’s only flying elephant. Clearly, those huge ears represent any unusual characteristic a youngster might be ashamed of or teased about. After viewing this film for the first time in a number of years, I realize it’s based on the same inspirational theme found in one of my all-time favorite movies, Simon Birch.

Of course, as in most Disney efforts, there’s a ton of fun added to make Dumbo entertaining for the whole family. With its colorful circus setting and quirky characters, this short movie -- only 60 minutes long -- is easy to like. Timothy Mouse, Mrs. Jumbo, Casey (the plucky I-think-I-can, I-knew-I-could train), a group of jivin’ crows, and the adorable Dumbo himself (who never speaks a word but communicates everything with those expressive eyes) work their charms on even the most jaded of viewers.

Dumbo looks almost like an antidote to the more classical Fantasia (a Disney film made prior to this one), which failed to resonate with mainstream audiences at the time. The animation in Dumbo comes across as simple and appealing -- except for the famous “Pink Elephant” sequence. That section of the movie appears quite sophisticated even by today’s standards and seems a bit inappropriate for such an unpretentious little film.

While Dumbo's musical numbers -- “When I See an Elephant Fly,” “Baby Mine,” “Casey Junior,” and the opening stork song -- are not as memorable as those in many other Disney movies, they fit the story well. However, I’m surprised the movie won an Academy Award for Best Musical Score in 1941. (Note to self: check that year’s list of nominees before throwing peanuts.)

A new Big Top DVD Edition of Dumbo will be available on June 6, 2006. It boasts a veritable extravaganza of bonus treats including a DisneyPedia about circus animals, a DVD Storybook (“Dumbo’s Big Discovery”), Sing Along Songs, a music video, two animated shorts (“Elmer Elephant” and “The Flying Mouse”), a “Celebrating Dumbo" featurette, and a Dumbo Art Gallery.

No matter what your age, enjoy!

(Released by Buena Vista Home Entertainment and rated “G” as suitable for all audiences. Bonus materials not rated.)