Told from the point of view of 10-year-old Opal (Annasophia Robb), we drop into her life with her struggling preacher father JD (Jeff Daniels), in the small southern town of Naomi, Florida. They’re new to this sleepy patch of real estate and she’s a cute tomboy who is so lonely that she plays baseball by herself. One day when in the local branch of the supermarket chain, Winn Dixie, a dog is running wild that, in a moment of decision, Opal decides to claim as hers and says that his name is (what else?) Winn Dixie. If the store calls the pound the dog will likely be put to sleep.

Dad does not want the dog nor does the manager of the trailer park Mr. Alford (B.J. Hopper), the closest person to a villain the film. Opal weasels her way into a job at the local pet store, run by ex-con guitar player Otis (Dave Matthews), so she can earn enough money to buy Winn Dixie a nice dog collar. All the while the scruffy, over sized charmer of a K-9 literally smiles his way into everyone’s heart.

When Opal meets recluse Gloria Dump (Cicely Tyson), she finds a friend who brings the various value conflicts in her life together. How does one deal with loss and great disappointment? She also meets librarian Miss Franny (Eva Marie Saint), who along with Tyson, provide a nice feel good component to seeing a new comer actress with two classic women of the screen. In particular, this is the meatiest role that Tyson has had in some time.

The screenplay is adapted by Joan Singleton from the popular novel "Because of Winn Dixie," by Kate DiCamillo. Director Wayne Wang has tackled the issue of single parents and relationships with their children in the past, in "Maid in Manhattan" and "Anywhere But Here." There is a quite serious side to this story that is somewhat unusual for a film aimed at such young children. There can be events in our lives that are distasteful that we must learn to live with. In this case, Opal’s mother left her and JD when she was three years old and never came back. Dad does not like to talk about it because he’s as upset about it as Opal. He lost a wife to alcoholism and Opal lost a mother for reasons she does not understand. Learning to live with reality is an important lesson not just for a 10-year-old but for adults at any age.

The film is a little too cute for its own good. Sweetie Pie Thomas (Elle Fanning) has a name and demeanor that targets the movie at very young children. Aimed at youngsters of tween age, it’s probably of more interest to the 3-8 year old group. It’s a shaggy dog story with Annasophia Robb so loveable that it’s hard for an adult to swallow. That said, it is a feel good story that any child who either has or wants a dog will love.

There is something special about the debut role of Annasophia Robb that reminds us somewhat of Diane Lane in "A Little Romance." Look for more engaging roles for Miss Robb in the near future. With the right parts, she has the potential of doing worthy roles as a teenager and as an adult.