Well, it seems only natural. For the first time, those pint-sized fairy-tale favorites Tom Thumb and Thumbelina finally get together in the same adventure.

"The Adventures of Tom Thumb & Thumbelina" is a full-length animated tale of courage, friendship and, yes, romance that features three new songs and the celebrity voices of Elijah Wood (Tom), Jennifer Love Hewitt (Thumbelina) and Peter Gallagher (the Mole King).

It's not in the magical, instant classic category like Disney's best, although it is from Disney's Buena Vista wing. That's probably why it's going straight to video ($19.99) and DVD ($24.99) today rather than through a theatrical release first.

But it is a sweet, charming and colorful tale for youngsters with good messages about being yourself and being happy with who you are. It also shows that girls can be as resourceful, independent and heroic as boys.

Indeed, Thumbelina rescues Tom at one point rather than the other way around as the two join forces to escape and find their way home after being kidnapped by an evil circus ringmaster looking for a new draw.

Along the way they run into the Mole King, a hilarious villain who drops venom and charm with equal ease in his quest to woo Thumbelina to be his queen. His song "Welcome to My Hole" is a complex delight of wacky rhymes.

For her part, Thumbelina sings the hauntingly beautiful ballad "I Am So All Alone."

The film (1 hr 15 min) is rated G although it has some scary moments. I give it ***.