Story

Perri is a young pine squirrel, growing up with her mother, father, brothers and sisters in a nest in the treetops. But isn't long before Perri learns that life in the forest isn't all bliss and happiness.

When a marten discovers their nest, Perri's father falls prey to the predator. And that’s not all. There are a lot of things that young Perri needs to learn in order to survive, so that she can have a family of her own one day.

Following Perri for one year, as she matures from childhood to adulthood, and narrated by Winston Hibler, the movie offers an entertaining and educating insight into the world of the forest, where pine, ground, and flying squirrels, martens, beavers, skunks, badgers, wild cats, and birds of prey live by nature's laws, following their instincts and the change of seasons.

Themes

Disney live action nature documentary: ‘True Life Fantasy’; circle of life; life in the forest; laws of nature; seasons of the year and of life; family

Violence

Perri has some violence. For example, the natural challenges and perils that wild animals face, like falling prey to predators or territorial fights.

Sexual references

There are no sexual references in Perri.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

There’s no substance use in Perri.

Nudity and sexual activity

There’s no nudity and sexual activity in Perri.

Product placement

There’s no product placement in Perri.

Coarse language

There’s no coarse language in Perri.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Released in 1956, Perri is part of the Disney ‘True Life Adventures’ series of movies that use true-life nature photography to tell a story about a fictional character. The movie does have scary and sad themes and scenes, but the narration provides beautiful guidance, explaining that one animal's death secures the survival of another, and that this is the natural circle of life. Perri has an entertaining storyline, positive messages, a beautiful soundtrack, and lots of endearing and funny nature scenes, all of which make it a great pick for families.

The main messages from Perri are that every living thing has a natural season and purpose, and that death is just as much part of nature as life.

Values in Perri that you could reinforce with your children include following your instincts, living life to the full, courage, and caring for your loved ones.

Perri could also give you the chance to talk with your children about how nature's natural cycle of life and death, and its power of renewal, compares to modern-day mass production of meat and animal products.