A PERFECT 'PIGLET' FOR THE BIG SCREEN.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

PIGLET HAS always gotten - pardon the pun - short shrift when it comes to devotion from fans of A.A. Milne's classic children's stories. Easily excitable folks love the bouncy Tigger, while pessimists appreciate Eeyore's gloomy outlook on life. And Pooh is Pooh, the title character and poster bear for anyone who has ever stumbled out of bed in the middle of the night looking to finish that pint of ice cream in the freezer.

But as the charming new children's film ``Piglet's Big Movie'' takes pains to point out, Piglet has his selling points, too. Sure he's shy and skittish and a little bit of a fraidy-cat, but he's also a great friend, possessing a generous spirit and enormous heart. The same may be said of this wonderful feature film, a warm, fun and genial movie that rates as inspired entertainment for kids.

The film shares similarities with ``The Tigger Movie,'' the 2001 feature that was actually the first full-length ``Pooh'' movie, following the shorts that ultimately came to be compiled in ``The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.'' In ``Tigger,'' the tiger learned that a family can take many forms, including one that includes friends. Here, Piglet's pals realize they've been taking the little guy for granted and that even though he's small, he's still capable of big deeds.

The movie uses three stories from Milne's two books - ``Winnie the Pooh'' and ``The House at Pooh Corner'' - neatly connecting them by using the narrative device of Piglet's scrapbook. When Piglet turns up missing, the gang at Pooh Corner page through his memory book, figuring if it's a book of memories, it must know where Piglet is. In the process, they remember the great things that little Piglet has done.

The wild card here is the presence of Carly Simon, who wrote and sings seven new songs for the movie as well as handling vocal duties (with son Ben Taylor) on the beloved ``Winnie the Pooh'' theme. It's an inspired choice. Her new songs are wonderful, ranging from the rousing ``With a Few Good Friends'' (which Simon herself performs on the screen before the closing credits) to the lighthearted ``Mother's Intuition'' to the lovely, lullaby-like ``The More I Look Inside.'' This is one soundtrack parents won't mind playing repeatedly.

It should be noted, too, that ``Piglet's Big Movie'' gives 77-year-old John Fiedler his moment in the spotlight. Fiedler created the voice of Piglet for the 1968 Oscar-winning short ``Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day'' and has been with the little guy ever since. You know the voice - soft-spoken, nervous, a true innocent. And in a marketplace crowded with loud and violent children's entertainment, it's a voice that resonates with both kids and thankful parents alike. P-p-p-perfect.

PIGLET'S BIG MOVIE - Three stars

(G)

Director: Francis Glebas.

Running time: 1 hr. 11 min.

Playing: Wide release.

In a nutshell: A warm, fun and genial movie that rates as inspired entertainment for kids.

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Piglet and Winnie the Pooh ``think, think, think'' about the best way to build Eeyore a new home in ``Piglet's Big Movie.''