If you’re interested in expanding your DVD collection with surefire kid-pleasers that will entertain the whole family, we’ve come up with a short list. Two of 2007’s stand-outs are being released on DVD in April: The Water Horse and The Golden Compass. The first, based on a novel by Dick King-Smith, tells a tale explaining the “true story” of Nessie, better known as the Loch Ness Monster (PG, $18.99). The Golden Compass is the controversial, highly publicized first installment in Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy of novels, which garnered rave reviews; the film starred Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig (PG-13, $22.99; pictured). Also from 2007 was The Last Mimzy (PG, $14.99), based on the short story “Mimzy Were the Borogoves,” by Lewis Padgett. This intriguing tale of discovered treasure from the distant future is riveting for children and adults alike. A great companion film from the same year is The Bridge to Terabithia (PG, from $8.49 new), based on Katherine Paterson’s young adult novel, which celebrates friendship, imagination and empathy. Considered one of the cornerstones of classic children’s literature, C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe received a respectable and entertaining adaptation to film in 2005 courtesy of Disney and Walden Media and is now out in a four-disc collector’s edition (PG, $29.99). In 2004, movie buffs and book lovers got a double dose of Peter Pan in two highly acclaimed films. In Finding Neverland (PG, $9.99), Johnny Depp brilliantly depicts playwright J. M. Barrie as he creates the iconic character and story of Peter Pan, through relationships with a widow and her children. In Peter Pan (PG, $11.69), audiences get an entertaining live-action version of the beloved tale of the boy who never grew up. Finally, we wholeheartedly recommend a double feature of two beautiful classic tales by Frances Hodgson Burnett featured on one DVD: A Little Princess/ The Secret Garden (G, $11.99). Both of these stories are told from a young girls’ perspective and, as films, are striking cinematic portraits of life in simpler, but harsher times.