The magic of Mr Magorium

Christmas is always the busiest time of year for children's films. Kids who don't have much choice at the cinema during most of the year look forward to the chance to see entertainment aimed at them, stories which are designed to make them laugh and feel good about themselves. When Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium premiered on Sunday, this was all the more important, because the first children to encounter this tale of a magical toy shop were those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium is the story of a strange old man (Dustin Hoffman) who bequeaths his unusual store to its young manager, would-be composer Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). Unlike many modern kids' films, it doesn't seem to be built around product placement, but instead showcases a range of classic toys which all children can realistically hope to get access to.

The balloon sculptures went with a bang

The children attending the special premiere screenings, which took place in five venues around the UK, were also treated to other classic forms of entertainment. These included face painting and balloon sculptures made by an impressive artist who seemed to be able to create anything to order - from hats, to ladybirds, to space aliens armed with guns. There were battles raging in the foyer before the screening began, though all the children were well behaved.

Every parent knows that getting kids to sit through an hour and a half long film can be a nightmare, but Mr Magorium seemed to hold the attention of its young viewers without difficulty. Some clearly found the experience tiring but all reported that they're enjoyed it. As a further treat, they were given special Mr. Magorium goody bags to take away with them.

The screenings were organised by Barnardos, which works with around 115,000 children in the UK who, for various reasons, are facing difficulties in life. If you would like to know more about Barnardos and how you can help children like these, visit the link below. Barnardos.