Homeschool Review: Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" #hsreviews #drivethruhistory #drivethruhistoryadventures #adventurelearning

If you've known me for any time at all, then you know that Drive Thru History® has long been one of our family favorites.  We started out watching the original series on television way back in the day based on the recommendation of a homeschooling friend and it still remains at the top of our list -- we happily share our DVDs and recommend Drive Thru History® to others now, too.  I always loved that the videos were so complementary to Social Studies, History, and Geography lessons and offered easy tie-ins to add a little something extra to our studies.  I truly do consider all things Drive Thru History® as some of the very best homeschool resources available.  The videos help make places and events come to life.  They are simply head and shoulders above the rest.  Because we have enjoyed watching the quirky travel epiosodes for years, I couldn't wait to get my copy of Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation”.     

Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” is an 18-part miniseries (3 DVDs) that begins right where the last miniseries ended, but stands alone to make history come alive in a new way.  The previous miniseries, The Gospels, chronicled the life of JESUS from the historical landscape surrounding the announcements that a SAVIOR is coming to HIS birth, life, ministry, and miracles.  It was a most excellent teaching tool to learn about and celebrate all things JESUS.  “Acts to Revelation” begins with the resurrection of JESUS and takes us on a journey throughout the Mediterranean region looking at the people, places, and events that launched the Christian faith.  Over the course of more than NINE hours of mesmerizing video, we get a first-hand look at the world of the first Christians.  (For example:  I have read the account of Pentacost numerous times, but to watch it play out onscreen gave me chills.  By the same token, "standing" nearby during the stoning of Stephen made my stomach churn and seeing John in exile on Patmos offers a new appreciation for the meaning of relationship.)

Here are the logistics that I think you should know:  Housed within a hardback cover (pictured above), the 3- DVD set includes a Study Guide broken down for each of the 18 episodes.  The Study Guide contains a brief Summary of each episode, five Discussion Questions to help you grasp each episode (answers to these are found in the back of the guide), a Reading list that points to the biblical text for context of each episode, and a Side Road section that shares more detailed information about one of the places or events discussed in the given episode.  Further logistics that you will find interesting are that the runtime for each episode is between 27-30 minutes long.  This is perfect for a daily lesson and discussion.  At then end of each video, you see the following message:

This show hopes to provide some illumination to the history of the New Testament, but there is NO SUBSTITUTE for reading the SCRIPTURES yourself.  [emphasis added mine]

Y'all . . . I cannot even begin to tell you how happy that makes my heart.  THIS is what it is all about.  Watch the video, enjoy the scenery, love the journey -- but READ YOUR COPY OF GOD'S WORD.  Obviously, the target audience for the Drive Thru History® videos would be Christian families, but please, please, please feel free to share them with friends and family who may not yet know the grace and love JESUS.  While your ENTIRE family will find something to enjoy in this set, middle schoolers and older students (adults included) will reap the most educational benefit from it.  And please use it as an ADDITIONAL resource with your Bible right there, too.  

That said, let me tell you how “Acts to Revelation” -- The World of the First Christians is impacting me and my personal Bible study.  We are big "series bingers" at my house and I began by watching through the videso on a "play all" setting.  I wanted the big picture and knew that I could watch a few episodes at a time to get an overall look at the history of the New Testament.  That completed, I knew that I would NEED to go back and watch at a slower pace with my Bible open and pen ready to take notes.  From the very beginning when Dave Stotts (he's your tour guide on this journey) establishes the credibility of the primary source of the book of Acts by explaining that Luke was not only a historian, but also an eyewitness to some of the history himself, I was enthralled.

I have taken tons of notes right on the pages of my Bible and I am constantly pushing pause to underline, highlight, and write something else down that I did not know or did not put together from my own reading.  I love being able to SEE the Cenacle (did YOU know that's what the Upper Room is called?  I didn't.) as I read about the 120 followers prayerfully awaiting for their next instructions.  I needed to write notes about the birthday of Christianity—Pentecost — and wanted to add flames above the words when the followers of THE WAY began declaring the words of GOD in their own tongues. May I boldly proclaim the gospel of JESUS right where it is least expected.  May I wait CALMLY to hear from GOD just as those early Christians did.

The middle schoolers at church really enjoyed our studies of The Gospels last year during Lent and I am happy to now share with them The World of the First Christians.  The Discussion questions make small group times so easy for me to put together and they encourage the students to listen carefully as we watch the videos in class.  What I am most excited about, though, is that they are learning why the Bible matters.  Thefast-paced design of the videos holds both their interest and their attention.  They ASK to continue watching and they are LEARNING while they watch.  Drive Thru History® makes GOD's WORD personal and that old Stevie McQueen jeep helps make it real.  My kids now see the Bible in relevant terms and not just as some unappealing long ago text.  That, my friends, is a win any day of the week in my book.

My family has always enjoyed sitting down to watch an episode (or three) of the fast-paced adventures led by tour guide "extraordinaire" Dave Stotts and it has been my pleasure to review both Drive Thru History® – “The Gospels” (The Extraordinary Life of JESUS of Nazareth) and Drive Thru History® Adventures in addition to this new series.   For more information about Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation”, please make sure to check out the following Social Media pages:

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I was given the opportunity to review Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” from Drive Thru History® as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought of this resource (or just click on the banner below.)

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Homeschool Review: The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls (Books #3 & #4) #hsreviews #SecretoftheHiddenScrolls

I love to read and I love to share great books with my friends and family.  Truly, one of my favorite things to do is to sit in "my" chair in the living room with a book in my hands.  It is even more special to me if the ones that I love are sitting nearby with a book in their hands as well.  My husband and I are readers who have intentionally raised readers.  Books have the power to take you to places that you never imagined you could go -- and I have loved travelling back through time to have a first-hand look at several stories from the Bible with The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series from WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

You might remember that I was first introduced to these sweet chapter books last year at the beginning of school and I told you that they were perfect for early readers to read alone, but even more fun to use as read-alouds for your entire family.  I still think that's true.  These books are targeted for children ages 6 - 9 on a 1st - 3rd grade reading level, but I just have to tell you that I really enjoy reading them for myself -- and I'm far from that age range.   It is quite interesting to hear about the work of famous archeologist, Great-Uncle Solomon, as he shares his greatest treasure with the children -- ancient Hidden Scrolls that prove to be even better than a pile of gold.   The Hidden Scrolls take the children on a journey of epic proportions

What I especially like is that these books take you deep into Bible times through an imaginative time travel adventure.  Last year I jumped right into the creation of the world (Book #1) and then helped line up the animals as they were loading onto Noah's Ark (Book #2).  This year I've stepped over icky frogs and walked through the Red Sea on dry ground following Moses to the Promised Land (Book #3) and hidden at Rahab's house and seen the walls of Jericho come tumbling down with Joshua (Book #4).  It's most wonderful to be a part of the escapades of Peter and Mary (the brother and sister team who take us along on their adventures) and their pet dog, Hank as we are transported right into the middle of GOD's Word.  The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series puts you right into the center of the action of the stories from the Bible as you work to solve the secrets found on each new scroll.  Kids will enjoy trying to "crack the code" found on the mysterious scrolls for each book and will love digging into the adventure bag that helps solve the mystery.  Parents will love that each book ends by telling you exactly where in the Bible you can find the people, places, and events that have taken place in your reading.  Perfect, huh?  

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Great Escape (Book #3) is 120-pages divided into twelve chapters.  Book #3 begins as 9-year-old Peter and 10-year-old Mary await the call of the Hidden Scrolls.  It doesn't take long for the lion to roar and transport the children to the deserts of Egypt.  The children explore pyramids and meet a princess and are invited to stay in the home of Pharaoh.  As luck would have it, this gives them a front row seat to the arrival of Moses and Aaron as they implore Pharaoh to let GOD's people go.  The plagues come to life as you read the story.  It is simply amazing.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Journey to Jericho (Book #4) is 120-pages divided into thirteen chapters.  Book #4 finds the children returning on another quest of the Hidden Scrolls.  They first learn that Great-Uncle Solomon was not always an archeologist and that he spent some time as a spy with the International Spy Agency.  They learn that GOD had a secret name that HE revealed to Moses at the burning bush and they are fascinated.  When they hear the call of the lion's roar, Peter and Mary add some spy equipment to their adventure bag and head out, landing right in the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle.  On this adventure, they join Caleb as he spies on Jericho and are present when the walls begin to crumble. 


As always, these books are a fascinating explanation of Scripture and I can't wait to share them with the children in my life.  Each of these books offers a fresh perspective on GOD's Word and make it easy for children of all ages to understand that the BIBLE is relevant to all of us all of the time.  You can read more about WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group and this fascinating new series, The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls, by visiting the following Social Media sites:

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You can also check out my review of the first two books in this series and see what we thought of both The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: The Beginning (Book #1) and The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls: Race to the Ark (Book #2).  These are still some of my very favorite books and I think your family will enjoy them immensely.   I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series -- The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls:  The Shepherd's Stone (Book #5).  How much fun is this!



I was given the opportunity to review The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls from WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought of these great books (or just click on the banner below.)

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Homeschool Review: Heirloom Audio's St. Bartholomew's Eve #hsreviews #HeirloomAudio #LiveTheAdventure #BringingHentyBack #AudioAdventures

Mr. George (G.A. Henty, himself) ends the telling of St. Bartholemew's Eve by saying that there will always be more stories and more adventures to be had and we are ever so thankful that this is the case.  We've been huge fans of Heirloom Audio for quite some time now and have enjoyed listening to all of the audio dramas they have produced thus far.  We have always found them to be delightful and educational, but I daresay that this adventure is the most exciting to date.  I will admit that I did not know very much about the French Wars of Religion and I was unprepared for the realistic battles throughout the story, but I am thankful that by listening along we are now more appreciative of our right to worship with friends in the manner in which we choose.

St. Bartholomew's Eve shares the story of the persecution of the Huguenots that led to a civil war between the Catholics and the Huguenots and the devastation of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.  The story is told to friends Ned and Sebastien by extraodinary adventurer, Mr. George Henty, on the occasion of their being caught skipping the morning worship service.  I love how Mr. George gently reminds the boys that they have a right to worship GOD in the way that HE has put it in their hearts to do so -- and that many have fought and died for that right.

Divided into two CDs with a playing time of over two hours, St. Bartholomew's Eve introduces us to cousins Philip and Francois and allows us to journey with them as they fight for religious liberty, protect themselves and others, and secure peace.

By one spirit we are all baptized into one body.  When one is persecuted, all are persecuted.

Isn't that the way we should all look at the body of CHRIST?  Philip arrives from England to serve alongside the French Huguenots even knowing that he might have to fight to the death.   He is willing to train in new techniques of defense so that he can stand beside fellow believers on the battlefield when he could very easily have stayed at home where he was safe and sound.  He realizes that there is a bigger picture, though, and more is at stake.   "This is a cause worth dying for because my SAVIOR died for me."  As we listened, I couldn't help but think about my own reluctance to "get involved" sometimes.  GOD doesn't call us to sit silently by on the sideline.  HE calls us to take up arms, rebuke the enemy, and fight -- together.  Our battle is as real today as it was then and the great deceiver prowls around angrily looking for someone to devour.

What I like most about Heirloom Audio is that they make sure to offer Christian heroes through the telling of stories from history -- and that they tell those stories truthfully even when they aren't pretty.  From the battlefield to an arranged wedding celebration, we find a shattered hope of peace in St. Bartholomew's Eve.  Unfortunately, the markings on the doors lead to destruction instead of redemption this time and Philip stands poised to protect.  The St. Bartholomew's Massacre is gruesome and horrific and is depicted as such in the audio drama.  You can feel the anxiety as the attacks begin and you can "see" the bodies strewn across the streets and beaches as Philip works to return to his family.  You know the pain of bloodstains on special medallions.  It's tough to hear, but it's necessary as it heightens our appreciation for the freedoms that we gained because over 70,000 gave their lives.

Be prepared as you listen because your emotions will be all over the place.  There is a power in the depiction that helps us to realize that many fought for the rights of the generations to come and what they did hundreds of years ago affects us today.  The stories must be told.  We must always keep vigilant against tyranny.  We live in a fallen world where there will always be people who try to keep us from honoring our SAVIOR.  Love always protects.  We have a right and duty to love GOD -- and we should do that in community with other believers.

For more information about this drama or any of the others lovingly produced by Heirloom Audio, please visit the following Social Media sites:

Heirloom Audio Facebook

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Instagram: @HeirloomAudioOfficial 
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We have thoroughly enjoyed listening to and learning from each of the audio dramas that we have reviewed (Under Drake's Flag, In Freedom's Cause, With Lee in Virginia, The Dragon and the Raven, Beric the Briton, The Cat of Bubastes, In the Reign of Terror, Captain Bayley's Heir, and Wulf the Saxon) and St. Bartholemew's Eve is no exception.  We enjoy sharing all of our audio theatre productions with our friends and family.  We've actually made Heirloom Audio an integral part of our homeschool life and we think you should, too.

I was given the opportunity to review St. Bartholemew's Eve from Heirloom Audio as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought of this fascinating audio drama (or just click on the banner below.)

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Homeschool Review: The Brinkman Adventures, Season 6 #hsreviews #AudioDrama #MissionaryStories #AudioMissionaryDrama #BrinkmanAdventures

I fell in love with the exciting Brinkman Adventures years ago, and I am always looking forward to the release of new stories.  For purposes of review, we received the Digital Version of Season 6: Underground Rising and we couldn't wait to jump in and get started to see where we would be traveling on mission this time.  How perfect was it that this season started us off with a visit to World War II since that is exactly our focus in history this semester?  GOD's perfect timing -- I love it!

Season 6:  Underground Rising contains six missionary stories in just over 2 hours of listening time.  This is perfect family listening for a long car ride together (headed on vacation or to visit family for the holidays?  Don't forget to take your CDs.) or can even be used during your family devotion time.  Listening to one episode each evening would make for some great discussions about how much GOD loves each and every one of us and would be a beautiful way to incorporate mission education and prayer into your family time.   Be forewarned though:  Once you start listening along, you may not want to stop.  And you are definitely going to want to have a map handy to mark all of the neat places you learn about.  In Season 6 alone, we visited the Netherlands, Wisconsin, India, Thailand, and Myanmar/Burma.


Each episode of the Brinkman Adventures is based on true accounts of real missionaries in GOD's service on the mission field.  Although some names and details must be changed in order to protect their calling and keep their familes secure, all of the stories are true.  The stories are active and draw you right into the midst of them.  As we "listen", we "see".  That said, it makes it tough to choose a "favorite" story.   Each and every episode tugs at my heartstrings -- and quite often bring me to tears as I listen.  The first two episodes of Season 6 take us underground in Nazi-occupied Holland where Jewish families need help to survive and episode four reminds us to trust GOD's plan -- even when it takes you far away from home to India -- where you know no one.  Episode three reminded me that I am offered grace because I am a follower of the KING's SON.

Hearing a roomful of children and teens pray to accept JESUS as their SAVIOUR as they begin to realize what unconditional love truly is brought me to tears.  Y'all . . . this is what it's all about.  Only JESUS can change the hearts of people and these audio dramas put us right in the midst of GOD at work.  Following GOD is not always easy, but it is always, always the right path.  I need the reminder for myself -- and I want my children to hear it often.  More than anything else, I desire for my children to give themselves fully to JESUS.  I appreciate the engaging way the Brinkman Adventures encourage us to wholeheartedly follow GOD.  Every time.  Even when we don't see how.

The last two episodes grabbed my attention immediately as they introduced us to Dave and Karen Eubanks -- a Green Beret and Special Education teacher.  My brother is a Green Beret and it was a perfect calling for his life.  Listening to Dave's call to full-time missions was intriguing and I appreciate so much how GOD prepares us for HIS ultimate plan in ways that we least expect.  It is the perfect reminder that GOD works through our lives and only HE sees the big picture.  I also appreciate that when listening along might get tough or intense, the Brinkman Adventures suggest that families listen together.  The gunfire is real, the danger is evident, but what a blessing that the focus is always on the health of the family unit.  These are mission stories that you will want to hear over and over.  They never get old and they remind us what our mission at home should be as well:

Love each other.
Unite in a work for freedom, justice, and peace.
Forgive and don't hate each other.
Pray with faith.
Act with courage.
Never surrender.

One of my favorite things about the Brinkman Adventures is that you can find the backstories of each episode on the website, follow the family blog, and meet the real-life missionary family that the adventures are based upon.  There are pictures, videos, and more detailed information about each person and location mentioned.  This is a great resource that helps us put faces to the missionary stories.  It helps us to remember that they are real people sharing JESUS in real time.

I especially enjoyed reading through the Real Stories for Season 6 and seeing the beautiful pictures of Omie's special tea cups because I have been an avid collector of all things tea party for as long as I can remember.  Some of my very favorite teacups and teapots (pictured below) belonged to my grandmother, too, and I love holding them close as I remember the stories that she used to share with me.  What a precious memory brought to mind while listening to the first two episodes.

The "extras" provided in the Real Stories section are fascinating and cover a wide variety of information that really makes a huge difference in how you listen to the audio dramas. Don't skip this section.  It is an invaluable resource for your homeschool.  There are videos, recipes, maps, and more.  It's fun to journey along with real-life people as they visit the same places the Brinkman family has taken us.

You are going to want to make sure and check out the Facebook page, too.  I think you'll enjoy the podcasts links and featured articles there that direct us all to a life of on-mission service.

And finally, jump on over and order up some adventure for yourself.  Brinkman Adventures is offering a 10% discount for my readers this month.  What a great way to kick off Fall!  

We love every episode we've listened to and are always anxiously awaiting the next.  This is a the perfect time to share it with your family -- and stock up for Christmas, too.


As always, I'd love to hear how GOD speaks to you through the Brinkman family escapades.  Please, please share with me what HE is sharing with you and yours.  Let's speak life together.

I was given the opportunity to review Season 6: Underground Rising of the 
Brinkman Adventures as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought of these adventures by clicking on the graphic below.

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Homeschool Review: Forensic Faith for Kids (Case Makers Academy) #hsreviews #apologetics #christianworldview #casemakers #casemakersacademy #forensicfaith #coldcasechristianity #childrensbook #davidccook

It is of the utmost importance to me that the children and middle schoolers that surround me know without a shadow of a doubt that JESUS is real and loves them more than anyone else ever could.  I want them to know that HE loves them so much HE gave HIS life for them.  I'm always looking for new ways to share that truth because I want them to OWN it for themselves.  Forensic Faith for Kids:  Learn to Share the Truth from a Real Detective from David C Cook and Case Makers Academy offers a hands-on approach for full ownership -- and teaches kids of all ages how to understand this sacrificial love and share the TRUTH about JESUS with others.


My daughter and I share a love of all things detective so I was excited to have a look at this new "detective" series of faith-based books.  Forensic Faith for Kids is a softcover book (160-pages) written by a real-life cold-case detective and his wife, J. Warner and Susie Wallace.  Mr. Wallace is a former atheist who learned to make the case for JESUS and now teaches kids how to follow the evidence presented to make the case for JESUS for themselves.  He shares that being a Christian means accepting your duty as described in 1 Peter 3:15 -- "Instead, you must worship CHRIST as LORD of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it."  Kids are taught how to use evidence and communicate that evidence (explain the hope they have a believer) to other people by joining the kids in the Forensic Investigations Academy.  The reader is welcomed into the Academy as a new cadet and they learn how to fill their detective bag with the tools needed to solve mysteries.

Written in such a way that the reader becomes a part of the story, Forensic Faith for Kids welcomes us as detectives in two ongoing mysteries.  First, we investigate to find the owner of a lost/found puppy and second, we investigate to help prove to a friend that JESUS is indeed GOD.  This is a super hands-on process because the pages of the book are filled with "assignments" that draw you into GOD's Word and through a course of discipleship.  In the picture below, you see that the reader is directed to READ Scripture, fill-in-the-blanks about what it says, and think about the important people in his/her life.  Kids see that it is okay to be trained and discipled -- and they are given permission to write in the book as they read.  Furthermore, they are given permission to write in their Bibles as they read and study it in order that they might make it a personal, color-coded road map for life.  How wonderful is that??

I think that every student should be able to OWN the TRUTH about JESUS for themselves and be able to share what they know with others.  Case Makers Academy offers a series of books that will help them along the way in Cold-Case Christianity for Kids:  Investigate JESUS with a Real Detective, GOD's Crime Scene for Kids:  Investigate Creation with a Real Detective, and Forensic Faith for Kids:  Learn to Share the Truth from a Real Detective.   I especially like the Case Makers Academy interactive website  that adds an entirely new dimension to the reading of the book.  The website offers short videos (most run about 5 minutes) that complement each chapter of the book and PDFs that you can print to make a detective's notebook.  

There's even a Leader's Guide to help you utilize information to its fullest -- and it's a completely FREE resource.  Your students will enjoy becoming real-life detectives as they answer questions, compile their very own Special Investigators Notebook, and learn more about JESUS through the Training Activity Sheets.  You'll need the book to understand it all, but your kids will LOVE going between the reading, the website, and their Bibles.  They will thoroughly enjoy the dot-to-dot and word find activities and the Note Sheets for each chapter are valuable tools for retaining the "training" from the book.  Kids (and adults) will learn how to better search out GOD's Word for answers.

This is most definitely a winner of a series.  There really is so much that we can all learn as we read along.

For more information you can visit the following Social Media page.  I really think that you should check it out!   You'll be glad you did.

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And here's my SPOILER ALERT:  The cadets do a great job and they solve BOTH mysteries successfully.  In the process, we all learn more about how police work happens by following the evidence hidden in plain sight and not ever giving up when the going gets tough -- and best of all?  We learn to have a FORENSIC FAITH as we guard the TRUTH and follow the SHEPHERD.  There's even a certificate to fill out and present to your children once they discover all of this for themselves.

I was given the opportunity to review Forensic Faith for Kids:  Learn to Share the Truth from a Real Detective from David C Cook as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought of this book by clicking on the graphic below.

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Homeschool Review: Smart Kidz Radio #hsreviews #edutainment #KidsRadio #SongsforKids

I've been listening to Smart Kidz Radio (the newest offering from Smart Kidz Media) and I really like what I'm hearing.  I have enjoyed turning on the free (live streaming) online radio station while I cook or clean the kitchen and I can't wait until the app is available so that I can take this neat radio with me whenever I leave my house.  Yes, I know it's a "kids" radio station, but I like the positivity that exudes from it.  I would have loved having something like this when my kids were little.  The programming is sweet and safe and offers good character training reinforcement.  What's not to love about that?

There are some neat lessons being taught through song on Smart Kidz Radio.  For example, there was an entire segment Saturday morning that taught children all about Learning to Compromise with one another.  I appreciated the explanation that friends can disagree with one another and just because two people might disagree doesn't mean the end of their friendship.  That's a great lesson for kids -- and an even better one for adults.

Another segment of programming shared that there’s nobody else in the whole wide world quite like me.  In this day and age, children definitely need the reminder that they are unique and wonderful.  Learning through song is a great way to help us remember things and I like that Smart Kidz Radio is reinforcing the fact that we are each created in our own special way.  GOD makes us just like we are and HE loves the person we are.  It makes my heart happy to know that children are hearing these truths.

If you've visited here often, you know that I have a special place in my heart for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities.  I recently spent a week at the happiest place on earth loving on some of my favorite special friends, so I was especially thrilled to hear songs and discussion about treating others with kindness and respect.  I love that Smart Kidz Radio is teaching us all that no one is perfect and we are all special.  In the discussion on our friends with special needs,  it was shared that no one is perfect.  The only people who are “wrong” are the ones who don’t care about others.

The goal of Smart Kidz Radio is to help kids live their best life.  The programming is designed to continually reiterates that we are all born with gifts and talents.  When we learn to share those gifts, we will be happiest in life.


Smart Kidz Radio is enjoyable, educational, and entertaining.  It's designed for kids, but is good for the entire family.  You can find out even more about what Smart Kidz Radio has to offer your family and any children that you love by visiting the following Social Media sites:

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There will soon be extra On-Demand content that will include hundreds of other children’s songs and stories.  You'll be able to choose specific age-based programming such as Early Learning, Good Behavior, Living, and Survival Skills, Bedtime Songs, Sing Alongs, Relaxation, and even Favorite Christmas Carols and Songs.  There will even be story programming so that children can listen along to Classic Fairy Tales, Not So Scary Tales, Favorite Christmas Stories, Peter Rabbit Tales, and my very favorite -- Best Loved Bible Stories.  I can't wait to hear these and share them with the children at church.

Check it out and let me know what you think.  I can't wait to hear about your favorite part of Smart Kidz Radio.


I was given the opportunity to review Smart Kidz Radio as a member of 
the Homeschool Review Crew.   You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought of this cool online radio station for kids (or just click on the banner below.)

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Homeschool Review: T is for TREE: A Bible ABC (Reformed Free Publishing Association) #hsreviews #readRFPAbooks #bibleABC #ABCBook #christianbook

After that weird tornado ripped through here a few weeks ago, I have an entirely new respect for trees.  It has been amazing to watch the growth taking place on the broken branches of the Live Oak in my front yard.  It took a beating.  I honestly didn't think it would make it after the White Oak and Long Leaf pines landed on top of it, but it has new leaves and branches coming out all over.  I'm really obsessed with watching it flourish and I may even be taking pictures and sharing them with my friends.  Because of my newfound appreciation for trees, I was excited to read and share T is for TREE:  A Bible ABC book from Reformed Free Publishing Association in Children's Worship.  We had such fun reading through the pages to see what all GOD made and discussing HIS power and faithfulness to us all.

Recommended for children ages 3 - 6, this sweet book was written and illustrated by Connie L. Meyer to children who live by faith in the promises of GOD.  That said, it is really perfect for us all -- children of GOD from littles to adults.  A hardcover book with 32-pages, it can easily be read in one sitting, but you'll want to linger over the pages and enjoy every beautiful detail.  The excitement of my children as we read through the alphabet together was contagious.  I loved watching them point out all of the wonderful things that GOD has created for us and adding others that they thought of as we turned the pages.  Connie includes Scripture, short rhymes, and stunning illustrations for each letter of the alphabet and she fills the pages with small details that draw you in and make you appreciate GOD even more.  For example, each icicle on the I is for Ice page is unique and no two snowflakes that border the page are the same.  On the M is for Moon page, the phases of the moon make up the border.  How's that for attention to detail?

We really had a good time with this book.  Can't you just feel the excitement as you look at the pictures below?

And the kids learned new things as we read.  At first, everyone thought that this olive branch on the O is for Olive page was a grape vine of green grapes.  The  children had never seen an olive branch before and thought that olives really just came in jars.  Looking at the olive branch pictured helped them to understand the story of Noah more.  There was an "ah-ha" moment for everyone when they realized THIS is what the dove brought back to the ark.  Don't you just love that?

Reading the Y is for Yoke page helped us to understand what JESUS means when HE tells us HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light.  It also offered up a pretty interesting discussion about the difference between cows, bulls, and oxen.  (I'll save that one for another day.)

There is so much information packed into this little book.  Each page offers an opportunity to dig deeper into an understanding of GOD's Word.  We had so much fun reading that we decided to take our lesson a step further and spend some time talking more about the Bible verses on the T is for Tree page.  Psalm 1:1-3 tells us that a man who delights in the law of the LORD is like a tree planted by the river.  That man shall "bring forth fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper."  We talked about placing our roots deep in JESUS and growing tall and strong for HIM -- just like the trees at my house that are continuing to stand TALL and show new growth.    Naturally, that meant making tree "trunks" from our bodies with "branches" from our arms and covering them with torn-paper leaves.

It was tons of fun and made the pages of T is for TREE:  A Bible ABC come to life for my kids.  They can't wait until we "jump into" the pages of the book again and I'm excited to continue sharing it with them.  I think we'll be using the U is for Under page next as we discuss that GOD protects us like a mother hen hides her baby chicks under her wings to protect them.  Bring on the feathers!

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I was given the opportunity to review the T is for TREE:  A Bible ABC book from Reformed Free Publishing Association as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew.   Make sure that you visit the  Crew Review to see what other members of the Crew thought of this neat book, too.  You can click on the picture below to jump right over there.  

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