by Alan Mowbray  As a father of two, I'm always looking for a
teachable moment. If you're smooth about it, your kids won't
even know that you're instructing them on life.  Based on a
children's book called The Borrowers, a popular title originally
published in 1952 by British author Mary Norton, The Secret
World of Arrietty is one of those covert teachable
moments—actually, it features several of them.  The movie was
the year's top grossing film when it was released in Japan in
2010, winning the Animation of the Year award. Translated,
dubbed by an American cast and distributed stateside by Walt
Disney Pictures, The Secret World of Arrietty was made by
legendary Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away and Ponyo).  Arrietty
(voiced by Disney TV star Bridgit Mendler) is 4 inches tall. She
and her family are Borrowers. They live in the recesses of a
suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her
housekeeper Haru (voiced by Carol Burnett). Like all little
people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view