Parents need to know that Zarafa is an enchanting animated story (in French with English subtitles) about an orphaned African boy's journey to find his place in the world and to protect a young giraffe for whom he feels responsible. Filled with funny moments, offbeat and interesting characters, and a bounty of exotic global settings, the movie also has some heartrending moments, including the deaths of characters whom the audience has come to love. Multiple scary and/or suspenseful scenes find two children in danger from a ferocious dog and an evil villain -- a slave trader who stalks them, keeps the little girl in chains, attacks the boy, and shoots to kill. A young boy's parents are captured (off screen), and his village is burned (shown in background); narrow escapes, rescues, and threat of capture are frequent. A man is shown under the influence of a substance he's smoking from long pipe, and a hero in despair turns briefly (and subtly) to alcohol and drunkenness. A hippopotamus is notable for farting and spraying its surroundings with feces. This French film is best for kids who are comfortable with reading English subtitles, can handle some sadness, and know the difference between real and imaginary violence.

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