Thursday, October 21, 2010

Review and Giveaway: What's in the Bible #4

I first discovered What's in the Bible through a Blog Tour for What's in the Bible Volumes 1 and 2.  I entered a giveaway (or two!) and won a copy of Volume 1.  We watched it and totally fell in love, so we purchased Volume 2, and pre-ordered Volume 3.  I wasn't sure if we'd scrape together the funds to purchase Volume 4... so when I got the chance to host a Blog Tour, well, of course I jumped at the chance. 


What's in the Bible is the latest effort by Phil Vischer and Tyndale Publishing to help walk kids and families through the entire Bible.  It is planned as a 13 volume series.  Based on the first four volumes, my family will own all thirteen eventually.  I will find a way to purchase them.  Each volume consists of two episodes, plus special features.

Volume 1: In the Beginning --teaches about the Bible as a whole, and covers Genesis.
Volume 2: Let My People Go -- mostly teaches about the book of Exodus.
Volume 3: Wanderin' in the Desert -- teaches the rest of the Pentateuch.

And introducing... Volume 4: Battle for the Promised Land.  This title covers the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth. 

Episode 1 - Finally, the Promised Land.  This episode is about the book of Joshua, and it covers the four different sections of the book.  I appreciate how they cover more than just the exciting stuff - the battles at the beginning.  They at least touch on the entire book.  There is a comment made about how the section where they are dividing up the promised land by tribe might be pretty boring for us, but this was very important to the Israelites. 
Episode 2 - Circle of Misery.  This episode covers the book of Judges and Ruth.  It includes a song naming all of the judges.  The main idea presented has to do with the apostasy cycle (yes, they use the word apostasy).  This is one of the things I really, really like about What's in the Bible.  They do use big words, explaining them in ways that are understandable even to my youngest kids.  They aren't dumbing things down in their explanations.  There is also a great popsicle stick puppet section on Ruth.

So, while I'd rather not bring this up, there is something I do have to mention about this volume because I am disappointed.  The opening scene for each episode is with a little kid puppet named Michael, who is sitting in the backseat of the van.  Off-stage is his younger brother (Michael talks to the brother) and his mother.  Mom is putting in the DVDs for the two boys to watch while they are on their way to Grandma's house, if I remember right.  Michael has been one of my absolute favorite characters, even though I don't like the tone he uses with his mother.

Until this volume.  This episode, he has a huge conversation with his baby brother about SpongeBob underwear.  Why is this necessary?  Not only that, but in the second episode, Cap'n Pete (who is up in an air balloon) has to use the bathroom.  So everybody keeps talking about how he is singing extra short songs because he needs to go to the bathroom.  Why?  Can't we get through a children's show without this level of humor?  Only my four year old found any humor in this at all.

I don't recall potty jokes in the previous volumes, and I hope this is going to be something they do not continue.  One big reason I wanted to mention this, though, is if Volume 4 is your first introduction to What's in the Bible, you need to know that the bathroom humor is not typical.

The positives definitely outweigh this negative though. 

The clip below shows part of how the book of Joshua was introduced.




Let's ask the real experts for their opinions though.  In their own words, well, minus any lisping.  And I'm trying to punctuate the way they talk.

Katrina (4) - The songs are my favorite part.  My favorite guy is Cap'n Pete because he was having funny songs in the air balloon.  I learned that Ruth was saved by a redeemer.  I want to get Buck Denver #5 for my birthday!  (Mom note:  so she doesn't have the title down yet... and I think Buck Denver is her favorite character, but she insists... and she does really, really love the songs.)

Richard (6) - I liked the first episode when they talked about the Israelites and how they had to fight, fight, fight through the second section of Joshua.  My favorite character is Chester and his popsicle stick puppetry.  He makes me laugh, and I like that we never get to actually see him.  I can't wait to see the rest of the series.

Thomas (9) - I really like What's in the Bible because it is entertaining but it isn't using stuff like fairy tales -- it is using the real Bible.  My favorite characters are Clive and Ian because they are the funniest.  I didn't know much about all of the judges until I watched this episode.  There's even a song that gives all the names of the Judges, but I haven't learned it yet because they have pretty weird names.  Except Deborah and Samson.

William (11) - What's in the Bible is a great series for kids because it is teaching about the Bible in a way that is funny and entertaining.  I like how they are teaching me how the books are split up.  The first three DVDs talked about the Pentateuch, and now we are starting the historical books.  I think this is good for people of all ages.

Connor (13) - I found it quite entertaining, although I expected more from them, as I anticipated the same type of intellectual humor of the first three volumes, and was disappointed with juvenile potty humor.  I studied Judges in the past and learned about the cycles that the Israelites went through in that time, but the "Wheel of Apostasy" used to illustrate this in the video is far more memorable and it certainly made the concept understandable even for my youngest siblings.  I especially like Ian, as he is funny and he always comes up with good questions.  His question in this video was why God wanted all those people already in Canaan to die.  Plus he's fun to imitate.  (Mom note:  you should hear the teen Boy Scouts when they start quoting all these lines from What's in the Bible.  It is pretty hysterical.)


And finally.  The good stuff.  Do you want to win a copy of Battle for the Promised Land for yourself?  I have a certificate to give away, and I can't wait to see who the lucky winner will be.

To enter:
Mandatory entry:  Watch the video (above, or there are more at YouTube) or visit the What's in the Bible website, and tell me something you learned that intrigues you.  Why do you want to win this?

Optional additional entries (leave a comment for each):
  • Follow me via Google Friend Connect.  Two entries if you already were a follower.
  • Follow me via Networked Blogs.  Two entries if you already were a follower.
  • Like What's in the Bible on Facebook.
  • Post about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc.  One entry each.  Leave a link where appropriate.
  • Comment on another post on my blog, and come back here to tell me which one.
I don't see anything on the certificate that limits where this is good... I'll mail it wherever, but I can't guarantee that the certificate will be accepted outside the US.  I'm pretty sure it will work in Canada. I'm not responsible for finding you a Christian Book store where this works. 

And... this giveaway will close on October 31 at midnight Mountain Time.  I'll draw a winner and make a reasonable effort to notify them on Monday.  If I cannot contact the winner, or do not hear back from the winner, I reserve the right to choose another.

Disclaimer:   I received this DVD and coupon for free from Tyndale House Publishers, in exchange for my review.  No other compensation was received.  The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.


49 comments:

A Thoughtful Spot said...

I am really interested in these videos. I am liking how they incorporate a lot of important stuff that most 'children's' shows don't. Things like the different books, who wrote them, how they are grouped, and stories that kids don't normally hear. Now I just want to see one for myself, so I am hoping I win! :)

A Thoughtful Spot said...

I already follow you on Google Friends. :)

A Thoughtful Spot said...

This is my second entry for already following. ;)

A Thoughtful Spot said...

I also already follow you on Networked Blogs. :)

A Thoughtful Spot said...

And this is my second entry for following you on Networked Blogs. Can you tell I would LOVE to get this? LOL

A Thoughtful Spot said...

I already like What's in the Bible on Facebook- does that count?? ;)

April E. said...

I finally broke down and added these to my Christmas shopping/wish list. I hope I win one, though.

I didn't realize that a mudslide was the probable cause of the Jordan River being stopped. Perfect explanation w/o discrediting God's hand in the matter.

April E.

April E. said...

I already am a member of your google friend connect.

April E.

April E. said...

I already was in your google friend connect.

April E.

April E. said...

I liked What's In The Bible? on facebook!

April E.

April E. said...

I follow you with Networked Blogs now! (surprised I didn't already)

April E.

April E. said...

I commented on your post about the Homeschool Misfits Award. ;)

April E.

Beverly said...

I've never heard of the mud slide as being the possible cause of the water stopping.

beverly said...

I follow you on GFC

beverly said...

I commented here http://debrakb.blogspot.com/2010/10/finally-blog-contest-where-i-can.html

Jestti said...

I'm very interested in these videos! I watched the clip and I never knew that little tidbit about the mudslides. Interesting. I recently heard about these videos and I think my children would LOVE them.

householdcents at gmail dot com

Jestti said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect. :)

householdcents at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

I learned that the series will cover the entire Bible. Wow, what a huge undertaking. Amazing.

Kimberly said...

I already follow you on GFC.

Kimberly said...

I now follow on Networked Blogs.

Laura O in AK said...

Call me strange, but I like that they use puppets! You just don't see that much anymore.

Laura O in AK said...

Already follow you on GFC (entry #1)

Laura O in AK said...

Already follow you on GFC (entry #2)

Laura O in AK said...

Commented on your Scout Saturday post (10/23/10)

Ruth said...

I am always looking for new creative ways to make the Bible come alive and be exciting for my daughter. She still is not to young to be entertained by things like this, and if it will make the Bible come alive for her as it appears it will, I hope I win it for her!

ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

Ruth said...

already was a follower of gfc

ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

Ruth said...

already was a gfc follower 2

ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

Ruth said...

networked blog follower--I thought I already was following you on here, but I wasn't so I am now!

ruthhill74

Ruth said...

like what's in the Bible on facebook
ruthhill74

Ruth said...

shared the giveaway on facebook

ruthhill74

ShirleyC said...

I am following you on GFC. This is a great giveaway.

clarkclay@bellsouth.net

ShirleyC said...

I have LIKED What's in the Bible on Facebook.

clarkclay@bellsouth.net

ShirleyC said...

I posted under Scouting Saturday.

clarkclay@bellsouth.net

LivingforGod said...

I had never heard of the mud slide theory before until I watched the video.

serving_theKingofkings@yahoo.com

LivingforGod said...

I follow you via Google Friend Connect. I have the yellow tulip avatar.

serving_theKingofkings@yahoo.com

LivingforGod said...

I follow you via Networked Blogs. I'm "Fruit Bearer" on Facebook.

serving_theKingofkings@yahoo.com

LivingforGod said...

I Like What's In the Bible on Facebook.

serving_theKingofkings@yahoo.com

LivingforGod said...

I commented on your Blog Cruise: Our Literature Based Homeschool post.

serving_theKingofkings@yahoo.com

Canadianladybug said...

Learning more about the bible is what interest me in these DVDs. We have the first three ones and I missed on the fourth because of swimming lesson...

Canadianladybug said...

I am following you with Google Friend Connect.

isa(dot)ocinc(at)gmail(dot)com

Canadianladybug said...

I like What's in the Bible on Facebook.


isa(dot)ocinc(at)gmail(dot)com

Canadianladybug said...

Following you on networked blog

isa(dot)ocinc(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love the video! I am totally interested in these product now, although I am a bit put off by the potty humor part in vol 4. Anytime Phil Vischer comes out with something new, I just know my kids are going to like it. I'm very curious (intrigued if you will) about the preacher guy, and the pirate that says he's the one singing. What's that all about? Thanks for hosting this drawing!

Tess said...

I did not know about the mudslides blocking the Jordan River. I'd love to win this for my special little girl who would love this!

Tess said...

Google friend connect first comment.

Tess said...

I'm already following you so I get another entry! (Thank you!!)

Tess said...

I'm following you on Network blogs. (First entry)

Tess said...

I was already following you on Network Blogs so thank you for another entry opportunity!

Tess said...

I commented this morning on your Yuck review and your hodgepost post.