"Iesodo" Faith-based Children's DVDs Review

*Disclosure: I was provided copies of two of the DVDs in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

About Iesodo from the Press Release:
Iesodo (YAY-sa-doe) is a highly acclaimed Telly and Accolade Award winning series featuring a cast of animated birds who live in a Cypress Tree on the shores of Galilee. Presented with cutting edge imagery, Iesodo, which means “The way of Jesus”, is a wise and gentle dove that gives an allegory to the stories and messages of Jesus with “solid biblical teaching.” (American Family Journal). With each and every story, he and his lovable feathered friends “present the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a winsome, compelling way” through music and adventure (MovieGuide.org).

Directors for the series include Brian E. Ray whose credits consist of Muppet Babies, My Little Pony Tales and Ed, Ed, and Eddy, as well as Colin Brady, whose credits include Toy Story, Toy Story 2 and A Bug's Life. Brady also served as the former animation supervisor for Pixar Animation Studios. Producer Eric S. Rollman, President/CEO of Rollman Entertainment, formerly served as President of Production for Fox Kids and Marvel, and writer/producer Rob Loos is an Emmy Nominee and writer/producer for McGee and Me! Christmas Lamb, Kids 10 Commandments and Touched by an Angel. The Iesodo series also features the voice of Erin Bethea (Fireproof, Amazing Love) as Maggie.

What others are saying about Iesodo: 

“The lion king of christian toons”      “BEAUTIFUL! very impressive.”

-Examiner.com                                   -Homeschool.com

“EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY WILL LOVE THIS SERIES.”

-Dove Foundation

“a dvd that parents will love”      “A BEAUTIFULLY ANIMATED SERIES.”

-American Family Association                             -Movieguide.org

 

Check out the Iesodo Trailer:

My Review:
I received a copy of "LOVE" and the newest release, "FAITH", out of the three current Iesodo DVDs.  (The third is "BELIEVE".)  Each DVD has two 15 minute episodes, which is great for little ones with short attention spans or if you don't want your child watching too much TV/videos.

My kids were super excited to have the opportunity to watch the Iesodo videos.  We first had to learn how to pronounce the word "Iesodo" as "Yay-Sa-Doe".  I think we have it down now! ;-)  The characters, mostly birds, are very cute and the animation, in general, in beautiful.  We enjoyed the simple humor and the wonderful songs....the kids even tried singing along!

I personally like that the stories are Bible stories that teach the kids very important Christian principles.  Although I feel it's important for the children to know the real Bible stories, I think the Iesodo DVDs are a great way to help the kids understand what they should be learning from those stories.

Buy It!
To learn more about the Iesodo DVDs please visit Iesodo.com.  The DVDs can be purchased on amazon.com for anywhere from $12.74 to $14.99, or at Wal-Mart and Christian retail stores.

"God's Amazing World" Review & GIVEAWAY! (4/6)

*Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

About God's Amazing World!

Gracie and her cousin Bo explore the seven days of Creation, all without leaving the backyard! As Gracie tells the story of how God made the world, she and Bo find evidence of each day’s work right there around them. When they get to Day 2, the day God created the sky, they take a moment to cloud watch. Day 3 leads them to play in the water, and on Day 6, they imitate the cows and pigs and lions God made.

This sweet, clever picture book by Eileen Spinelli overflows with enthusiasm for God’s Creation, and children will catch the excitement and will begin to view their own surroundings as a tour of God’s lovely world. Parents can use this beautiful book to introduce children to the concept of God’s work in the world and to encourage appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of the world around us.

 

Author Bio

Eileen Spinelli is the author of numerous children’s books, including Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch; The Best Story, and Two to Cuddle. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Illustrator Bio

Mélanie Florian is an illustrator with dual lifelong passions for storytelling and helping children discover the world. Both passions guide her work today creating vibrant, whimsical illustrations. Mélanie enjoys her inspiring surroundings as she works in the French town of Annecy, in the midst of mountains and a beautiful lake.

 

My Review:

 God's Amazing World is such a cute, sweet book!  As I read it to my two little ones, they smiled and giggled at the fun pictures depicting the imaginations of the characters in the book.

I enjoyed how God's Amazing World teaches children how God created the world in a fun and memorable way.  I also loved the interaction between the characters/cousins in the book. Reading how the older one was more than willing to teach the younger one about the story of creation was just so sweet!

I can see God's Amazing World being read over and over again in our home.  I highly recommend making this book a part of your children's home library as well! ;-)
 

Buy It:

God's Amazing World can be purchased for $15.99 at Idealsbooks.com.  Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages, ages 4 to 8.

Thank you to Ideals Books and Fly Promotions for providing me God's Amazing World to review and another to giveaway!

GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to comment #26, Alexis AKA MOM!

One of my readers is going to win their own copy of God's Amazing World!

To enter to win, please leave a comment below. Please be sure to leave your e-mail address, so that I can contact you if you're the winner!

Extra Entries:
(1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)
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Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Open to U.S. and Canadian residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end Sunday, April 6th, 2014 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. (Winner must not have won within the last month in order to share the prizes with more readers.) The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

American Dream Builders GIVEAWAY! (4/2)

* Disclosure: The following information, and giveaway, was provided to me to share with my readers by NBCUniversal. I was not compensated in any way.

The American Dream Home is something everyone fantasizes about. Whether it’s a new closet, a larger family room, or simply a place to put all your stuff, there’s always something we want to change about where we live!

What if you could make your home into your Dream Home?

AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS – a new show premiering on NBC March 23 at 8/7c – and Lowe’s want to make your dream a reality.

Hosted by famed interior designer and best-selling author, Nate Berkus, AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS follows the nation’s top 12 designers and home builders as they compete to be crowned the Ultimate Dream Builder and take home a $250,000 cash prize. It’s the home competition that will change everything!

From the producers of Survivor and The Bachelor, don’t miss AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS, Sundays at 8/7c, only on NBC.

You can enter for a chance to win $100,000 in products and services from Lowe’s and a consultation with the winner of American Dream Builders!

Enter for a chance to win your dream renovation at www.nbc.com/lowes.

And starting March 23rd you will have the opportunity to earn 5 bonus entries when you “Dream It Yourself”! Upload a photo and description of a home project you are working on and EARN 5 BONUS SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES.

Finally, follow the show on Facebook and Twitter for a chance to win more prizes from American Dream Builders and Lowe’s!

GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations to comment #72, Debbie Jackson!

One lucky reader will win a $50 Lowe's GiftCard!

To enter to win, share your personal “Dream Home Makeover” in the comments section below.  Please be sure to leave your e-mail address with the comment, so I can contact you if you're the winner

Each household is only eligible to win One (1) $50 Lowe's Gift Card via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Extra Entries:(1 extra entry per method. Leave a comment for each.)
*Subscribe to my blog in the upper left hand corner.
*Follow me through Google Friend Connect
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Open to U.S. residents 18 years and older. Giveaway will end Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014 at 11:59 EST. Winner will be chosen shortly after and contacted via e-mail. The winner will have 48 hours to respond otherwise I will have to choose a new winner.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!



The kids did their traditional scouring the living room to find where the leprechaun hid the clues this morning.  (The back side of the chocolate coins are numbered, so the kids could put them in order.)

 

Which led them to the leprechaun and his pot of gold...in a pot! :-)

 

 And our corned beef and cabbage is in the crock-pot cooking.

 

No parade this year...or endless shamrock inspired crafts...or fun Irish treats...I'm really slacking, aren't I?  It was so much easier to do all those things when the kids were little and we were home all the time.

 

If I am feeling ambitious, I may make some Irish Soda Bread, or I may nap instead.  Whatever illness struck over the weekend is really taking a toll on me....and the fact that I'm avoiding caffeine until I feel better may be adding to the pure exhaustion. :-/

 

I hope you all have a Happy St. Patrick's Day! :-)

"Let God" Movie Review

*Disclosure:  I received this DVD in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.

About Let God:
As rumors of gold in California spread across the United States in 1848, Levi decides it is time to head west with Amelia, his young housewife, to stake their claim and build a better life.  Against her better judgement, Amelia honors her husband's demands, leaving her home and family.  Secretly, they join the last wagon caravan of the season dangerously late, leaving behind a string of bad debts.  On the trail, they encounter unimaginable danger that will ultimately change the course of their lives.

After a savage attack takes her husband, Amelia is left alone and without resources.  For the first time, Amelia must take life into her own hands, battling winter, hunger and the unknown.  As she grows weaker by the day, she finds strength in a mysterious and unexpected guide.  Survival becomes a race against time and Amelia must find something greater than herself to help survive the frigid winter along the Oregon Trail.

From the Press Release:
In addition to winning both “Best Feature” and “Best Actress” honors at the 2013 Breckenridge Film Festival, “Let God” was also an official selection at the 2013 Gideon Film Festival and has earned the Dove “Family-Approved” Seal for any age. “This is a terrific Story!” said the Dove Foundation. “The writer/director and leading actress Jasmine Jandreau, as Amelia, somehow manages to make this story of survival a powerful movie about trials and a faith that overcomes all odds…You will enjoy watching this one. Don’t miss it!”

Take a peak at the trailer:


My Review:
Let God was a very intriguing and inspiring movie to watch.  As different struggles arose for Amelia, I couldn't help but wonder how God planned to get her through.  At times the mood became intense, but was never too much for the kids, who watched the movie with us.  When there were slower parts in Let God, I thought that the kids might actually lose interest, only being 6 and 7, but they were just as intrigued by the whole situation/predicament as my husband and I were.  The kids kept asking questions to things that they didn't understand about the era and I feel they really learned a lot about 'the olden days'.  Not only that, but in the end I felt good that we were able to watch it together and all see the message about never losing faith and trusting that God can help us through even the toughest of times.

Buy It!
Let God released on DVD February 25th and can be pruchased through The Christianbook Group for $12.99

Thank you to Edify Media for providing me this film to review.