Little Bugs Teach Big Lessons

Product Review of Bugtime Adventure Series
By Lisa M. Hendey
Catholic Online

I'm one of those "mean" moms who typically makes her children do "homework" during the summer, convinced that a stretch of close to three months with no pencil in hand will be detrimental to the academic progress my boys have achieved during the school year. This summer however, my sons have negotiated with me to avoid the traditional summer workbooks we've used in the past. In their place, the boys are coming up with their own learning activities with the goal of having fun while reinforcing math, language arts, and religious lessons learned during the year.

A newly created animation series by Lightning Bug Flix fits perfectly into the summer agenda around our house - learning laced with laughter, fundamentals featuring fun! My youngest son Adam and I recently took time to enjoy the first in a planned thirteen episode series of DVD productions entitled "Blessing in Disguise: The Joseph Story". I asked ten year old Adam to join me in a screening and review of this inaugural episode, and was genuinely pleased by Adam's response to the film. Additionally, I found myself entertained and inspired by this retelling of the biblical account of Joseph.

Lightning Bug Flix lists the following vision at its website:

Lightning Bug Flix is a media production company creating television and home video programming that brings Insight, Inspiration, and Delight to children around the world:

• Inspiration that draws viewers' hearts closer to God;
• Insight that brings a better understanding of God and our relationship to Him;
• Delight that comes from engaging characters and entertaining stories of faith.

As a parent, I'd have to say that "Blessing in Disguise" is a great first step towards meeting this vision. Delightful calypso-style music opens the story, introduces us to a community of bugs preparing for a big picnic. Interwoven with the tale of Antoni and his friends, we meet Joseph, who is facing an important decision. Both characters have been harmed by loved ones. Joseph, sharing a flashback of his life story with a trusted servant, reflects, "Sometimes even good people do bad things." Antoni and Joseph both contemplate seeking revenge on those who have harmed them, but end up deciding that "sometimes revenge isn't so sweet." Recounting the events which lead him to eventually rule wisely in Egypt, saving his country and even his own family from famine, Joseph declares, "Sometimes the worst of deeds can be a blessing in disguise."

Adam shared his take on the film:

All the citizens of Buggelsville (bugs, of course) are having a picnic! Antoni the Ant is performing at picnic doing acrobatics when Roderick the Cockroach suddenly makes Antoni do even more tricks (like juggling). Antoni messes up, falls to the ground, deeply humiliated, because everyone is laughing at him (not with him). Meanwhile, back in Egypt, Joseph is telling one of servants about how his brothers had treated him so cruelly. Back down in Buggelsville, Antoni is creating a machine to get back at Roderick. It's a catapult called "The Rodinator Special", designed to throw slime at the target. (Antoni's job is an inventor). While Joseph is forgiving his brothers, Antoni decides to not take his revenge, but instead forgives Roderick. This is why you should watch this movie.

A great comic book accompanies this first episode, reinforcing the biblical and moral concepts presented in the film. The DVD version includes special features and interactive games. With a running time of 25 minutes, "Blessing in Disguise" is a fast paced way to enjoy a little uplifting entertainment without having your child glued to a screen for a couple of hours. Your child will also want to visit www.bugtime.com for more fun and learning adventures. Episode two of the series, "A Giant Problem: The David Story" explores the Old Testament account of David and his battle with Goliath. For more information on the Bugtime Adventures series, visit www.lightningbugflix.com.

___________________

Lisa M. Hendey is webmaster of www.CatholicMom.com, a wife and mother of two and a Catholic music fan and supporter. Visit her at www.LisaHendey.com for more information.

Contact

CatholicMom.com
http://www.catholicmom.com CA, US
Lisa M. Hendey - webmaster, 559 5551212

Email

lisa@catholicmom.com

Keywords

video, family, bible

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »