by Gina Lawton

Created on: March 01, 2011   Last Updated: March 02, 2011

Movies, by their very nature, are vehicles of the imagination. Combine this mode of entertainment with the already fertile ground of a child's imagination, and you have an unlimited resource of possibilities.

To narrow down the vast genre of children's movies into ten simple examples is daunting. So much depends on what a child likes, their level of development, their ability to synthesis what they see into what they know, etc.  So the following list is by no means exhaustive. These films may not be appropriate for children of all ages - as a parent, always preview the movie to determine if it's appropriate for your own child. However, these cinematic gems are guaranteed to give your kids things to consider, dream about, and to stretch their potential to imagine that anything's possible.

Number 10: Napoleon Dynamite. This 2004 independent film gained popularity by word of mouth until it became a international phenomena. The story is simple - a "loser" from a small Iowa town lives his ordinary life in the realm of extraordinary. Day to day occurrences become the backdrop for a boy to be a hero in the lives of his friends. It's quirky, silly, and sometimes a little confusing. But it will remind your children that it doesn't take a superhero to be a good friend and to make a difference.

Number 9: Mary Poppins. First released in 1964, the enduring story of a "magic" nanny swooping in to save a dysfunctional family still plays out today in more modern settings ("Super Nanny" anyone?). This movie mixes two children with inattentive parents with the wonderful imaginative world of Mary Poppins. Classic Disney incorporates memorable music (Richard and Robert Sherman), scenes rich with imagination and fantasy, and lots of laughter makes this film a family favorite still today.

Number 8: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. No childhood is complete without a heavy dose of Dr. Seuss. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" has become not only a beloved children's movie, but a cultural icon. "The Grinch" represents everyone who has lost sight of what "Christmas really means." His incredible change of heart, brought on by the cute and innocent Cindy Lou Who, reminds children that they can make a difference. The thought of Christmas being "saved" by a child, and the understanding that it's really not about the bright packages and bows and all the trimmings help children imagine, perhaps, a better world where the things that really matter - really matter.

Number 7: James and the

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