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Kingsley's Meadow
VHS, Color, Young children (two-six years old and higher)
Seven Cassettes, 30 min.; 14 programs, 15 min.
English and Spanish versions available, American Bible Society, 1999-2000
Activity books: $2.49 each
Video cassettes: $12.95 each
(800) 32-BIBLE; online orders: www.bibles.com

Catchy tunes and lyrics, endearing puppets, colorful animation and costumed dramatizations of Bible stories by a troop of young actors make up this award-winning and delightful series of videos for young children. Kingsley, the teen-age lion, is featured in each of the video programs that teach a lesson in virtues and values. "Munk" the chipmunk, "Bertha" the bird, and other puppets from Kingsley's meadowland punctuate the dialogue with Kingsley and help to draw out the messages.

Each lesson is illustrated by a Bible story performed by kids ranging from eight to twelve years old against appealing scenery and supported by narration provided by mature voices. Inspirational songs are performed by "The Petals," a trio of puppet flowers that appear in each program. Some videos include Bonus Bible songs and words that come into view on the screen.

I enjoyed this series immensely, especially as I viewed it with young children and preschool teachers. Each video or the entire series would make a great addition to church libraries or preschool and after-school programs. It is an excellent value for the money.

How Can I Celebrate Passover? A Young Christian's Introduction to the Seder
VHS and DVD, Color, Children, 25 min., Creative Communications for the Parish, 2004
Cost: $14.95/VHS or DVD, plus s/h
(800) 325-9414
Online orders: www.creativecommunications.com

Creative Communications has launched the first of a very appealing series for young children that will focus on the celebration of secular and religious holidays from a Christian perspective. Intended for family, congregation, Sunday school, day school, or home school use, this particular video will be an excellent tool for pre-communion instruction. Eventually, the series will also include programs on the major celebrations in the liturgical calendar.

Digger loves holiday celebrations, but he doesn't know about Maundy Thursday, which will be observed in his family. "Does that mean that when it's really Thursday, we pretend that it's Monday instead?" he asks innocently. He also thinks it's a little silly to celebrate an event as sad as Jesus' death, until he understands the enormity of what Jesus did in giving up his life.

Through puppetry, cartoon animation, and simple narration of biblical texts in easy-to-remember rhyme and music, Digger learns about the ancient feast of Passover from his know-it-all puppet friend, Beth, and its relevance to Christian life in the celebration of Holy Communion. With the preparation of the various elements and the order of ritual in the Seder meal, Digger experiences the importance of this celebration in the lives of God's people, who were freed from bondage in Egypt and learns of the fulfillment of God's promise in Jesus as the Lamb of God, who delivers us from sin.

The series is designed particularly for children four through ten years old. This video will fill an important need in congregational children's ministries, and I am happy that we can look forward to more!

The Lord's Prayer: Entering Into God's Country With Walter Wangerin
VHS, Color, 65 min., Study guide, 2004
Confirmation and high school youth
Paraclete Press, ISBN: 1.55725.365.X
Cost: $79.95
(508) 255-4685
E-mail: mail@paracletepress.com
Web site: www.paracletepress.com

In this new video program, well-known author Walter Wangerin looks at The Lord's Prayer and its petitions and helps the viewer to discover in new ways the nature of God and God's desire to be in relationship with each of us.

Many prayers need no preparation, Wangerin states, but this prayer does. We need to go into the country where God is the ruler — the kingdom where God's will prevails, where we truly give over to God "the kingdom and the power and the glory." We should begin this prayer, he teaches, with its usual ending — Amen — believing that truly, truly we have entered into God's country. When we pray like this, Wangerin promises, "something happens!"

The Lord's Prayer is an eight-part study program with each session reinforced by questions, interactive exercises, and biblical illustrations provided in the study guide. Projected images and graphics and conversations among youth who research and reflect on the various petitions add to Wangarin's presentations.

Anne Lee, an associate in ministry and video review editor for Lutheran Partners magazine served in the area of Christian education at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Illinois.