The anime of the Moomins was my introduction to both the Moomins and anime but this German stop-motion series is also highly recommended and more faithful to the original books.

One of her most funny and visually spectacular books.

The film is nice in itself but the enjoyable, memorable and most of all surreal books still beat it by far. "Friend Monkey," by the same author, is cute but mysterious.

Charming and different wooden game for gentler children (as pieces can get knocked over) revolving around the construction of a little village. Also B000809O68 and, for something physical, B0006I3MTW.

Ugly USA cover but a modern classic of Japanese children's literature. The characters are the same but the bulk of the story is completely different from the film and just as charming.

The first "Tik and Tok Adventure." They're all beautifully detailed, surreal and thoughtful with an inexplicable magic like "The Little Prince" (another one you NEED to read, even as an adult).

Chris Riddell is something of a contemporary successor to Winsor McCay. Also look out for "Something Else," "The Story Giant" and many more.

Also look for "Penguin Dreams," and all his other books. Unrelated but beautiful is 1840114290.

Renowned memory game (with very cute wooden pieces) for ages 4 and up. German box but should have English rules (even if it doesn't these can be downloaded from the publisher's Web site).

Michel Ocelot is a near-equal of Miyazaki, with several styles of his own, who is even more under-represented in the English-speaking world. Somewhat scarier than Totoro but just as essential.

Surely you know Tetsuwan Atom? He's more famous than possibly even Totoro.

A surprisingly varied selection of modern nursery rhymes. Kids will love "The Monkeys Are Breaking Out of the Zoo" and I love "Night Baking" and Rasputina's "A Skeleton Bang."