I am always on the lookout for great films for kids. My kids are now 9 and 12, but I have nieces and nephews that go all the way down to newborns (Congrats Megan!). I love being the cool aunt (and mom) that finds new and amazing things for them to enjoy. That is where the new Lotte films come in. I can tell you, these aren't like anything else you've seen out there. These are award-winning Estonian animation. The stories center around a sweet little girl puppy, Lotte, who is friendly and inquisitive and wants to help. For me, that's really what most little kids want. They can totally see themselves in Lotte on her adventures. The films are all dubbed in English and Lotte Goes South and Lotte and the Moonstone Secret have Spanish subtitles (which is pretty cool if your kids are learning Spanish in elementary school like one of my nephews. It was a great way to reinforce what he's already learned in school). The first film, LotteGoes South, is actually the 13 episodes that comprise a TV series that was the first introduction of Lotte to the Estonian public. The other two films, Lotte from Gadgetville and Lotte and the Moonstone Secret, are feature length films that have won awards on the film festival circuit.

In Lotte Goes South,the first Lotte adventure has Lotte and her family watching migrating birds when suddenly, tired baby bird Pippo drops into Lotte’s chimney. Lotte convinces her father, Oskar, and Uncle Klaus to take Pippo south in their flying machine to rejoin his family. The short (5 minute) episodes make this a favorite for small children or if you only have a little time to enjoy an episode.

In the film Lotte From Gadgetville, we learn that Lotte lives with her father and mother in Gadgetville, a place where many inventors live. Each year the town hosts a competition to find out who has the best invention. Lotte’s father is the most famous inventor of all, but this year he is rivaled by Adalbert, the Rabbit, in their annual inventors’ competition. Along the way Lotte frolics with friends and learns about friendship and fair play. (I love the little lessons woven into all of these stories. The kids are learning and don't even realize it!)

In Lotte and the Moonstone Secret, someone tries to steal Uncle Klaus’ special stone! Curious about the strangers who want the stone and curious about the power of the stone, Lotte and Uncle Klaus go on a treasure hunt (aff) to bring all of the stones together. Lotte and her uncle want to unlock the secrets of the three magical stones Uncle Klaus and his friends took from a secret temple. All through their adventures, Lotte and Uncle Klaus meet interesting characters but don’t realize they are being followed! This is a whimsical, fun-filled film with lovely animation. The entire family can enjoy this film.

I had my niece and nephew review these films for me. I got a two thumbs up! Since the Lotte films won my family over, I have arranged for a lucky reader to win a set (all 3 (aff) movies!) for their very own. Click the image below to enter: