The Biggest Story Pack--Book, DVD & Audio CD

Every night we take some time to read to the children just before bed. They love to hear Bible stories and certainly have their favourites. My daughter can now read on her own, but there are some stories that just need to be read aloud...Delivery is everything! "The Biggest Story - How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden" is one of those stories.

We already owned the book, which I knew that they enjoyed so I was excited to learn that there was also an audio CD and DVD available. My daughter recently told me that "Mom, I don't really like chapter books because there are no pictures to amuse me." I wasn't sure how either child would respond to a story read aloud with no pictures, but I braved the murky waters of my children's likes and dislikes and popped the CD in on the long drive to the campground.

Both children loved the audio book. It didn't matter that they couldn't see the pictures. I said earlier that "Delivery is Everything" and it is so true. When we read the book last year, I felt that the story had a "dark" feel, and when I read it aloud that is certainly how we felt. The story is narrated by Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI. When we listen to Mr. DeYoung narrate the story you can hear the hope in each story. Both my children and I enjoy listening to Mr. DeYoung as he reads the story to us. He reads at a pace that is slow enough for my children to follow along if they happen to pick up our copy of the book and fast enough that the story doesn't "drag" on and they get bored.

The movie is an adaptation of the book. It is often said that the book was better than the movie, that isn't the case here. The images are taken directly from the book and adapted to the screen. The illustrations were created by award-winning artist Don Clark and features original music by composer John Poon. The addition of movement to the images and music to the story only enhances the story.

I love that the author provides and overview of the entire Bible that can be digested in one sitting. All to often when we read the Bible we read it in "chuncks" often missing the connections between each story. Mr. DeYoung skillfully takes us on a journey through the bible, drawing a connection between the stories of the Bible. From the garden of Eden to Christ's death on the cros to the new heaven and earth we begin to see how each story connects, bringing us full circle back to God's loving arms.

"The Biggest Story" is a book of faith written for children,there is a powerful message found in it for us all. God's promises are bigger and better than we realize, we only have to look at what he's already done for us to believe that he has big plans for our future!

*Disclosure: Disclosure (in accordance with the FTCs 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing a complimentary copy of this CD and DVD. All opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

I was blessed with the privilege of reviewing both the audio and the DVD version of this story.

The kids and I listened to the audio in the car one day during a trip to the dentist. The narration lasts about 25-30 minutes and begins at creation and takes you on a quick trip all the way through the Bible to Jesus and the return of Christ. There is quite a bit of emphasis on the fall of man and Jesus paying the price for our sin until finally we are complete in heaven. My kiddo's got into the story and were a bit disappointed when it was over. We do enjoy audios! I would give the audio 4.5 stars.

The DVD however was another matter. We put it in one night at bedtime, but it was not what they were expecting. The narration is the same as the audio and of course they had already heard that. The illustrations nevertheless were a bit different than what my kids like. Neither of them were very impressed. There was no animation. (Basically the cover artwork says it all - just picture that unfolding as a person narrates) My son said it was more like a coloring book, sort of like paper dolls. Although, he did say he was thankful that you couldn't tell Adam and Eve were not dressed. My opinion mirrors theirs. Personally, I did not think it was very captivating, but it was very colorful! I would probably only give the DVD 3 stars.

So there you go! That is our opinion as a family!(My children a a few years older than the age mentioned, but still young enough to enjoy watching cartoons and animated films) We will take the audio over the DVD any day and use our imaginations to picture the tale. I do believe it was true to Scripture and could be used as a tool to minister and capture the interest of those who may not know the whole story.

I was provided with a copy of both the Audio and DVD courtesy of FlyBy Promotions in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to review it positively.

How do you share the Word with kids, specifically the middle grade and teen ages? As a booknerd and former Sunday School teacher, I'm always looking at new books that would be great in sharing the various wonderful Bible stories with the younger generation. Kevin DeYoung's The Biggest Story grasp the understanding of kids short attention span, as well as the older kids' interest in more than cartoons as the only visual element.

Reverend DeYoung's narration of The Biggest Story presents an abbreviated glimpse of some of the major stories in the Bible. From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden to the full redemption of Jesus Christ's resurrection, The Biggest Story is about the biggest story. With just under 30 minutes, the audiobook and short film fits great for a car ride or an afternoon TV time. For those that don't know the Bible, questions will arise. For those that knows it, a nice little "summary" as a refresher and both scenarios works for additional time for discussions. The artwork by Don Clark shown in the animated short film will capture kids attention with the vivid colors and composition that induce imagination. Along with the narration, the visualization created will be sure to make this short film a family favorite.

The Biggest Story is not meant to replace the Bible itself, nor be a "cliff notes" version of the Bible, but rather a stepping stone to prompt the desire to know more. With encouragement by adults in the family, the sharing of this story will make the reading, hearing and watching of The Biggest Story a way to inspire love and search of the true Word.

This review first appeared on JustCommonly Blog

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook and animated short film DVD from the publisher, through Flyby Promotions for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.