DVD Review: The Bible Stories: David

Fishflix.com sent me, The Bible Stories: David, a made-for-TV movie from 1997 for review.

Nathaniel Parker plays David, the humble shepherd chosen by God who grew up to become king of Israel. This three-hour epic also features Leonard Nemoy (Samuel), Johnathan Pryce (Saul), Sheryl Lee (Bathsheba), and Franco Nero as the prophet Nathan.

This lavish adaptation brings us from David's defeat of Goliath, to his days as a solider in King Saul's army and his kinship with Jonathan, to the flawed king who wooed Bathsheba and suffered through numerous tragedies. It paints an accurate picture of David's life based upon Old Testament readings.

David is a superb movie that drew me in quickly. The acting was wonderful, the scenery and costumes are stunning, and the three hours passed by before I knew it. My only complaint is that there are moments when it's too graphic, especially during battle scenes. I'm guessing they were looking for reality, but I certainly wouldn't be sharing this film with kids under the age of 13.

Fishflix has a mission to bring viewers "The Greatest Christian and Family-Friendly Films in the World at Great Prices." It's current price is lower than Amazon and they offer free shipping on orders over $40. They also have other DVDs from The Bible Stories series for sale. When you buy from FishFlix, you're supporting Christian ministries in the Middle East.

I know I'll be checking out their store more often now that I know about them.

I received a free copy of this DVD from FishFlix. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

DVD Review: PBS Kids® Super Why!®: Hansel & Gretel - A Healthy Adventure

PBS Kids® has new Super Why!® reading adventures for your family. Super Why!: Hansel and Gretel - A Healthy Adventure includes two engaging episodes that feature all the fun of problem solving, alphabet skills, comprehension, and vocabulary.

In the title episode, Red and her friends are playing in the park, but she doesn't have enough energy to participate. The Super Readers travel into a story where they meet Hansel and Gretel, along with a grumpy tired witch, who feasts on the sweet snacks Red also enjoys. As they help transform the witch's house into one made of healthy and delicious foods, Red discovers what foods will help give her the energy she needs to keep playing for a super long time.

The second episode opens with Whyatt sitting at the family dinner table, complaining all he wants to eat is brown rice. How can his parents insist that his selection isn't healthy? The Super Readers visit the story of "King Eddie Who Loved Spaghetti," a king who only wanted to eat spaghetti. They journey into his garden and discover how much healthier a variety of foods is for his body--and Whyatt's too.

As a children's author, I've been a huge fan of  Super Why! It's fun. It's interactive. It even shows the Super Readers using technology to help them change the stories and solve their problems.

Bonus features include music videos, interactive games, and coloring pages. There are also parent resources.

Super Why! is one of those shows where it's easy for kids to forget they are learning because it is so much fun. You can purchase this DVD from the ShopPBS website and other online retailers.

Highly recommended.


Format: Animated, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Pbs (Direct)
DVD Release Date: July 16, 2013
Run Time: 50 minutes

I received a free copy of this DVD. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

DVD Review: PBS Kids®: Arthur Stands Up to Bullying

From PBS Kids® comes another series of great Arthur™ adventures. This DVD, which is available for purchase from the ShopPBS website and other online retailers, includes four episodes, plus a computer-based component where kids can find themed activities and coloring pages. Based upon the best-selling children's books by Marc Brown, this long-running television series was an important part of my son's and daughters' childhoods.

In "The Last Tough Customer," Binky decides it's time for the group to change their image because it's not good being a bully anymore. The other guys are in, but Molly is having nothing to do with it. When Molly sees some poor behavior from her little brother, James, she wonders if it's time to put the past behind her.

Hoping to improve his chances of beating his opponent, Los Dedos, Brain starts a chess club at school. In "Brain's Chess Mess," he soon discovers most of the kids aren't really interested in learning the ins and outs of playing, but he also finds Rattles to be a great mentor.

In "So Funny I Forgot to Laugh," Sue Ellen gets her feelings hurt when Arthur teases her about her new sweater. Though she asks him to stop, Arthur says she's just overreacting. When he's forced to to write a letter of apology to Sue Ellen, it ends up doing more harm than good. Arthur can't believe his friends think he's being a bully.

"The Best Day Ever" finds Arthur and his friends reminiscing about their "best days." Arthur doesn't seem to have one, but soon learns a lot about himself and his friends.

Arthur Stands Up to Bullying is a great way to teach your kids about friendship and standing up to bullies. This can lead parents into discussions with their children about how two people can see an event differently and how important it is to consider other people's feelings. After "The Last Tough Customer" and "So Funny I Forgot to Laugh," the show visits real classrooms where students talk about bullying and standing up for themselves.

Highly recommended.


Format: Animated, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Pbs (Direct)
DVD Release Date: July 16, 2013
Run Time: 60 minutes

I received a free copy of this DVD. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

DVD Review: Wild Kratts: Lost At Sea

Young animal lovers will be thrilled with the latest Kratt brothers show that premiered in January on PBS. Like Zoboomafoo before it, Wild Kratts™ is a blend of real life characters and animation meant to share fun animals facts with young viewers. We received a DVD of Lost At Sea which includes the episodes "Speaking Dolphinese" and "Blowfish Blowout."

In "Speaking Dolphinese," the Kratt brothers (Martin and Chris) are on a mission to decode the secret language of dolphins. Using their newly created Creature Power Suits, the Kratt brothers dive beneath the surface to communicate with the dolphins, while Aviva and Koki help from aboard their craft. When a hungry shark traps a dolphin,the Kratt brothers and their team launch a rescue mission.

In "Blowfish Blowout" the miniaturized Kratt brothers are caught up in a swath of plankton headed for the coral reef. They make friends with a couple of blowfish; and when Donita Donata and her henchman, Dabio, show up with plans to make a crown fit for a fashion queen, the Kratt team works to save their new friend.

Chris and Martin Kratt have been teaching kids about creatures for decades. Their blend of animal facts and adventure make learning fun. Wild Kratts is a perfect addition to the PBS Kids® line. It's also nice to see how they use technology to learn about their animal friends. This is something young people will truly relate to.

This DVD is available for purchase at www.shoppbs.org. Young animals lovers can also visit www.pbskids.org, where they will find fun games and videos, learn even more animals facts, and can download the Wild Kratts Creature Power App with their parents' permission.

Format: Color, NTSC
Language: English
Region: Region 1(U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 1
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS (Direct)
DVD Release Date: January 22, 2013
Run Time: 55 minutes

I received a free DVD from PBS. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way.

Back to School: DVD Review: Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder

This highly anticipated DVD release produced by Legacy Documentaries in association with Family Friendly Productions, tells the story of the legacy that Laura Ingalls Wilder created through her writing.


Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder is an in-depth look into how Laura came to write her famous children's books and the legacy she has left behind. Through interviews with historian and author John E. Miller, author Pamela Smith Hill, and Tanya Hart, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Kansas, viewers learn not only more about the time period in which Wilder lived, but also how her books came to be published, and about her relationship with her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane.


Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder, Little House on the Prairie, NBC) co-produced, directed and narrated this moving story of Wilder's life. As with Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura, this production includes: live reenactments, animated colored Garth Williams illustrations from the Little House books, historical photographs, original artwork, and readings from Wilder's books. Those with an interest in this time period will find information on how Wilder's work--her articles and her books--preserved this history for generations to come, and how her work brought to life the equal partnership between frontiersman and frontierswoman. What I especially enjoyed was the time spent discussing the collaboration between mother and daughter and the evolution of both women's careers.


Actress Katherine Cannon reads the excerpts from the Little House books, and the beautiful music of Jay Asher adds so much to this production. For those of us who enjoyed the music of David Rose from the Little House on the Prairie television series, Asher's work makes us feel in familiar territory. With his own unique style, Asher captures the vibrant, romantic, sometimes difficult life that Wilder lived.


Little House on the Prairie: The Legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder also includes bonus material, the best of which is the Director's Diary, where Butler takes you through the experience of shooting this documentary in various locations. Other bonus items are the trailers for Almanzo Wilder: Life Before Laura and the Pa's Fiddle Project.


Every Laura fan will want to own a copy of this beautifully created story of Wilder's legacy. This DVD is on sale at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, MN. Visit them online at http://www.walnutgrove.org/museum.htm or contact them toll free at 1-800-528-7280.



I purchased a copy of this DVD from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove, MN to share with my family. This review contains my honest opinions, for which I have not been compensated in any way. 

Back to School: DVD Review: Super Why! Around the World Adventure

One of the programs the Lil Princess (8) never missed when she was a preschooler is Super Why! This is an animated series featuring Whyatt and his friends, who live in Storybrook Village--a magical world hidden behind the bookshelves in a children's library. Whyatt, along with his friends, Red Riding Hood, Pig, the Princess, and Whyatt's canine companion, become the Super Readers and work together to solve problems.

The Super Why!: Around the World Adventure DVD includes three adventures for kids ages 3 to 6. The title episode finds the Super Readers searching for the location of a girl they met through their classroom computer. In "Nalia and the Magic Map," the Super Readers explore ancient Eygpt to find the meaning behind the symbols on a treasure map. The third episode, "Jasper's Cowboy Wish," shows the Super Readers helping Pig learn what cowboys do.

There are so many wonderful things to say about this DVD. First, you have the element of imagination as Whyatt and his friends transform from mere mortals into their super hero personas. They fly into books to look for the answers to the questions that will solve their problems. In addition, the show is interactive, with the characters addressing the audience and taking your child on the adventure with them. Your child will enjoy singing along and solving problems alongside the Super Readers, while learning important skills like identifying letters, spelling, and reading comprehension. As a writer, I love how Super Why! can change the story with his power to read. That helps kids realize the power of words.

Each episode opens with a summary of what the viewer will learn, so parents can see what will be focused on and supplement their child's learning. Extra features include fun song videos, four PC games, and coloring pages.

Super Why!: Around the World Adventure DVD is a great way to get your kids ready to read!

Format: Animated, Color, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Pbs (Direct)

DVD Release Date: June 19, 2012

Approx. 90 minutes

I received a free copy of this DVD from the publicist in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

Back to School: DVD Review: WORD GIRL The Rise of Miss Power

Believe it or not, the kids are heading back to school in a few weeks. I'll do my best this month to feature products you might find useful as your kids get ready to start a new school year.

I grew up on PBS shows like Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Electric Company and Zoom. When I was asked to review WORD GIRL: The Rise of Miss Power, I hopped at the chance. My girls haven't watched this show in a year, but the Lil Princess (8) sat down to help me review it.

This DVD contains two episodes. In "The Rise of Miss Power," a new super hero arrives in town with her sidekick Colonel Giggle Cheeks. She agrees to take WORDGIRL under her wing to show her how to fight crime quickly. It soon becomes apparent that Miss Power is nothing more than a bully who uses mean words to fight her enemies. Can WORDGIRL defeat Miss Power and save the city?

What the title episode shows young people is the power of words. Words can be used to build up or cut down. The Lil Princess easily grasped the message, and it has a real application for her at home and at school. Often we think of bullying as being physical, but our words can be just as painful. "The Rise of Miss Power" allows young viewers to understand how our words can hurt others. In addition, it shows how your actions and personality can change as a result of using such hurtful words.

In "A World Without WORDGIRL," Becky is upset when her crime fighting responsibilities interfere with enjoying her most amazing birthday party ever. When her wish for a WORDGIRL-free world comes true, she's afraid of what she's just done.

This was another great episode. Like the first one, it teaches a valuable lesson. Becky learns the impact of her wish and how one person can make a huge difference. This easily shows children their value in their home and their community.

WORDGIRL is a fabulous show that blends action, adventure and fun learning. At the beginning of the episode, they announce the words that will be featured during that segment, and they are used often. WORDGIRL or one of the other characters will provide a definition of the word during conversation, so your child will know what the word means and how it is used.

This DVD also has special features: two interactive games and coloring pages. I couldn't get these special features to launch on their own, but the troubleshooting instructions included on the DVD got me to them just fine. The games are short, but there are more games online.

WORDGIRL is geared toward younger elementary students. If your child struggles with vocabulary or reading comprehension, they can find some help from this show.

Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: PBS (DIRECT)

DVD Release Date: February 21, 2012

Run Time: 70 minutes

I received a free copy of this DVD from the publicist in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation of any kind for this review.

DVD Review: Anne of Green Gables

If it were not for Sullivan Entertainment, I may never have discovered my love for Lucy Maud Montgomery's books.

In this Canadian production, a young orphan girl named Anne Shirley is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island. Matthew, a bachelor, who lives with his spinister sister, Marilla, had sent word that they wished to adopt a boy to help the elderly Matthew with the farm work at Green Gables.

This "lucky" mistake changes all of them, and anyone else who comes in contact with the spirited and imaginative Anne Shirley.

Around my eleventh birthday, my sisters bought me a three-book set that included Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and Anne of the Island. I read a bit of the first book before tucking them away, bored with the story of Anne. Years later, I saw Anne of Green Gables, the Sullivan Entertainment production starring Megan Follows as Anne, on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). I instantly fell in love with Anne and all her adventures, which inspired me to pick up the books again. From then on I was hooked. I read through the first three books of the Anne series quickly, and purchased the remaining five books and read through them. I still read them when I have time.

My husband purchased the trilogy: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, and Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story as a Christmas gift a few years ago. I have decided to review them separately, as they can be purchased separately, and I have different thoughts on each movie.

The first Anne production will always be my favorite. Sullivan Entertainment was careful to stick closer to the books with Anne of Green Gables than with future installments of this series.

Montgomery created a sympathetic character in Anne, and Megan Follows did an excellent job of portraying the headstrong, imaginative orphan who found more than her share of trouble. The late Colleen Dewhurst played Marilla Cuthbert to perfection. She and the late Richard Farnsworth, who played Matthew, were so good at what they did that I couldn't read Anne of Green Gables without picturing them in the book. Dewhurst captured Marilla's gruff exterior that hid a warm hearted woman. Farnsworth brought out the shy warmth that is definitely Matthew.

The viewer is treated to watching Anne grow up in this film: the thrill of learning she will be allowed to stay at Green Gables, meeting her first kindred spirit in town, Diana Barry (Schuyler Grant), battling with the town gossip, Rachel Lynde (Patricia Hamilton), sticking up for herself to Josie Pye (Miranda de Pencier), and arguing with Gilbert Blythe (Jonathan Crombie), her academic rival. And as a matured Anne tells Marilla on the day of the concert benefit, "No matter where I go or what I do, I'll always be your Anne, Anne of Green Gables."

A wonderful coming of age film, Anne of Green Gables will capture your hearts and leave you begging for more of Anne Shirley.


Director: Kevin Sullivan
Writers: Lucy Maud Montgomery (novel)
Kevin Sullivan (writer), Joe Wiesenfeld (writer)
Rated: G
Runtime: 199 min
Region: Region 1
SRP: $24.99