ANIMATED films have always been popular - one of the biggest grossing films of last year was Finding Nemo - and Hereford-based writer James Clarke has devoted a whole book to the subject.

His third anthology for Virgin Film, James's book investigates the most popular examples of the form.

"As I was finishing up work on my book about the films of Francis Coppola, I suggested the idea of a book about animation to my editor, so it was a case of lucky timing," James explained. "The book was written over last summer; I lived and breathed talking mice, rabbits, robots and monsters."

As with his previous titles on Ridley Scott and Francis Coppola, Animated Films begins with an overview of its subject.

"It's very easy to stay with what is new but I thought readers might enjoy getting some sense of what has come before and, in some cases, been forgotten," he said.

The book deals with classical animation (Pinocchio, The Secret of Nimh, Watership Down); Japanese animation (Ghost in the Shell, Princess Mononoke) and computer animated features.

"It's a huge subject," James said. "Something I'm very happy about is that I've been able to give some idea of what is worth watching beyond the huge blockbuster animated features.

"The book goes from Roger Rabbit through to film-makers like the Brothers Quay, who work in a very invigorating and intense way.

"If this book prompts readers to check out things they might not previously have done then that's the best thing I could hope for."

The Virgin Film Guide: Animated Films is available from today. (£16.99)