Growing up in 1980s Wichita, I didn’t see many families who were “different.” My path didn’t cross with a single kid whose mother had chosen to get pregnant alone, I didn’t know any children adopted from overseas, and definitely never met any kids whose parents were “life partners.” In fact, the most radical family hyphenated their last name. 

Raising my family in Los Angeles, so-called “alternative” families are so common, no one blinks at a parent with a child of a different race. If you ask a kid about his mom and he responds, “I have two dads,” that’s all the explanation needed.  

But some folks aren’t as comfy with this one-love attitude. That’s why Mr. Peabody & Sherman is kinda brilliant. Mr. Peabody is a world-renowned genius who happens to be a dog. Sherman is the boy he adopts. We learn in the film that Mr. Peabody didn’t intend to break any glass ceilings or ruffle feathers when he adopted Sherman. They were brought together by circumstance and adoption was the right thing to do. But you know, when some people see something “different” from what they know, they can get mean. Different can upset their sense of order, whether they are a kid or an adult.  The fact that Mr. Peabody raises Sherman with love, stability and security while encouraging his quest for knowledge and imagination is beside the point – he’s a dog.

Elementary school kids will most appreciate Mr. Peabody and Sherman, being at that age that is trying to figure out the differences among us, as well as what is right and what is wrong. Peabody and Sherman must find a way to thrive in an environment that is uncomfortable in their existence. Sherman is bullied. Peabody is threatened. The two must prove their father-son relationship is sound.  Seeing the world from the eyes of a sweet child and a smart, nonthreatening, familiar animal can help kids to learn that different doesn’t mean wrong, it means unique. Mr. Peabody may be the world’s smartest being, but using entertainment to show kids how to open their hearts makes Mr. Peabody & Sherman pure genius.

Here are three films to see with your family this weekend:

Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Peabody’s WABAC machine allows Sherman to travel back in time, introducing world history to children in a vibrant, amusing way.

The Lego Movie. Everything is awesome. For all ages. For real.

Son of God. For Christian teens grousing about why they have to give up sweets for something called “Lent,” this film is an excellent lesson of what was given up for us.

To see what kids think about all these movies, go to KidsPickFlicks.com, where all kids are movie critics.