NO sooner has Whale Rider put faith in the inspirational leadership qualities of an inquiring, determined child than along comes Michel Ocelot's Kirikou And The Sorceress to second that motion.

This charming, kaleidoscopic French animation, inspired by a salutary Senegalese fairy-tale, had a troublesome ride to the screen amid absurd concerns that 'sensitive' Western audiences could not handle such natural depiction of African women, bare breasts and all.

Thankfully, Ocelot stuck to his guns, and Kirikou's enchanting tale arrives in Britain with the only change being it now comes in an English language version to complement the first soundtrack by Senegalese musician Yousso N'Dour.

In a fable of forgiveness, second chances and innocence overcoming evil, Kirikou is the world's smallest hero. He is so keen to explore and improve the world around him that he demands to be let out of his mother's womb and begin asking question upon question.

Nurtured by his mother and the womenfolk of the village, the cheekily courageous Kirikou takes on the gold-grabbing, man-eating, water-denying sorceress Karaba with an indefatigable spirit, his mind as probing and logical as the best cricket captain's. Magical, sweet yet sharp.

Updated: 09:27 Friday, August 01, 2003