Kidvids include classics, gentle adaptations

Here are some new kidvids you can find on DVD.

MONSTER HOUSE (Columbia, 2006, PG, $28.95). This computer-animated haunted-house spoof (to be released next Tuesday) has some amusing moments and is well-paced most of the way, though it eventually runs out of steam. But the target audience — kids who wish they could see scarier movies than their parents allow — should enjoy the ride. Voices include Jason Lee, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve Buscemi, Kevin James and "Napoleon Dynamite" star Jon Heder.

Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, audio commentary, featurettes, photo/art gallery, language and subtitle options (English, French), chapters; DVD-Rom applications.

THE FOX AND THE HOUND (Disney, 1981, not rated, $29.99). Disney's animated feature about a puppy and a fox cub — natural enemies who become best friends — is one of the studio's better '80s efforts, if not quite up to its best classics. Good characters and nice humor, with Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell and Pearl Bailey among the voice cast. (A great bonus is two vintage Disney cartoon shorts.)

Extras: Full frame, two vintage Disney cartoons: "Lambert the Sheepish Lion" and "Lend a Paw," featurette, interactive games, sing-along, language options (English, French, Spanish), optional English subtitles, chapters.

CURIOUS GEORGE (Universal, 2006, not rated, $29.98). The beloved children's books receive a sweet animated adaptation here, one that is true to the spirit of its literary source, as monkey George and the Man in the Yellow Hat (voiced by Will Ferrell, who, thankfully, tones it down here) find adventures in Africa and Manhattan. A real throwback to more innocent films of yore. Drew Barrymore and Dick Van Dyke also provide voices.

Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, deleted scenes, featurettes, interactive games, sing-along, language and subtitle options (English, Spanish, French), chapters.

LAURA'S STAR (Warner, 2004, not rated, $14.98). This straight-to-video tale is about a lonely country girl in the city, who finds a fallen star that is also homesick. Cute fable for young children, another gentle, evenly paced film of a kind we see all too seldom these days.

Extras: Widescreen, featurettes, language options (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese), chapters.

THE HAPPY CRICKET (Clever Image, 2006, not rated, $19.95). Straight-to-video animated musical feature for 5- to 8-year-olds about the title character doing battle with Wartlord the lizard for freedom in the forest.