Review and Giveaway of the Latest VeggieTales ~ The Little House that Stood

Here's a description of the movie:

"When the Three Little Pigs roll into Cabbageville looking to build some new houses, they meet one builder with a plan and two without a clue! Larry builds with hay, Mr. Lunt with bricks, but only Bob builds his houses on a firm foundation - following the wise plans from the Master Builder's Handbook! Will the Little Piggies make the right choices when it comes to building their houses - and their lives - on solid ground? Find out in this parable that shows kids when they follow God's blueprints, then can stand strong when the storms come!"

(You can learn more about this movie and other VeggieTales shows on Facebook, Twitter, and the movie's website.)

Movie Trailer



My Review

Are you ever too old for VeggieTales? Not according to my family, as none of us are the target-audience age, yet we still enjoy the cute and clever stories! (Although I'm finding more and more that there isn't really a target-audience age for these shows... The animation is geared toward younger children, but the humor and homage to literary works and films can only be understood by adults, to my way of thinking.)

The Little House That Stood is a sweet addition to the VeggieTales collection. It begins with Larry the Cucumber dressed up as a gingerbread cookie (yes, we finally get to see him with arms and legs!), and a hungry Mother Goose visiting Bob and Larry. Capitalizing on the current excitement over fairy tales (or nursery rhymes, in this case), the stage is set for some fun twists on popular children's stories and parables from the Bible.

The first story, for which the movie is named, was my family's favorite. As Larry once said in an earlier movie, the title of which I can't recall: "I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob." OK, I didn't exactly cry, but my family and I did indeed laugh at some of the lines and the antics of Bob, Larry, and Mr. Lunt. The songs are catchy (I particularly liked "Solid Stuff"), some of the voices are rather interesting, some of the lines and references to modern culture are pretty funny, and the lesson on the importance of having a firm foundation for all areas of a person's life is shared in a fresh and clear way.

The "Silly Song" is just what the feature's title promises: "silly." Of course, all of the "Silly Songs" are supposed to be rather ridiculous, but some are more creative and catchy than others. My family mentioned that some of the ones they loved in the past were "Barbara Manatee" and "The Gated Community." This one about Larry's tooth (a throwback to the "I Love My Lips" song?), while instrumentally enjoyable, was a little too weird and goofy for our taste.

The second story that rounds out the movie, "The Good Egg of Gooseville," was not as enjoyable as the first story. I did appreciate the cleverness - how so many different nursery rhymes could be tied together to illustrate the importance of sacrificing for others and truly loving one's neighbor. However, my family and I agreed that the rhyming stories (like one of the stories on the Robin Good and His Not So Merry Men DVD) are not VeggieTales' best. They're a little harder to follow, rather convoluted/strange, and they're kind of annoying (maybe trying too hard to be too clever).

If you're a fan of VeggieTales, The Little House That Stood has some good points that would make it a fine addition to your collection. Overall, it's not the best of their movies, but the first story is enjoyable, and there are enough cute moments to make it worth the viewing. But if you don't enjoy the rhyming stories, take heed. And if you or your children are new to VeggieTales, other VeggieTales movies might serve as a better introduction to the shows.

*With thanks to Propeller for providing me with the DVD in exchange for my honest opinion.*

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: 'Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.'"

Giveaway!

The folks at Propeller not only offered me a copy of the DVD for review, but also a chance to give away a copy to one of you! If you'd like a chance to win The Little House That Stood, please note the following:

• Leave a comment with your valid e-mail address. (I'd love to hear which VeggieTales show is your favorite!)

• This giveaway is open internationally! 

• You have until 9:00 p.m. (PST) on Sunday, March 10th, to enter the giveaway. The winner will be drawn randomly via the List Randomizer and announced on Monday, March 11th.

Good luck!