My family was introduced to Veggie Tales about 5 year ago by our good friends who are our daughter's Godparents as well. They told us about these great Children's Christian Videos that had a fresh look to them because of they are produced by computer animation. These days, videos have so much violence, bad language, and sexual content, that it takes a parent to have to sit and watch ANYTHING and EVERYTHING their child pops into the VCR. With Veggie Tales, you can rest assure that you can play any of their videos and feel confident that your child is not only learning about the teachings of God, but learning a valuable lesson as well. So sit back, grab the popcorn, and gather the family around the old tube, it's showtime!

"If you like to waltz with potatoes, if a squash can make you smile..." is the start of the Veggie Tales Theme Song played in the beginning of each video. It is a hilarious song that takes ordinary vegetables and makes them peace makers and heroes, plus lets you get a sneak peak at all types of scenes from other Veggie Tale Videos.

If you are not familiar with the Veggie Tale Series, let me take this opportunity to introduce you to the gang. We have Bob, the Tomato, Larry, the Cucumber, Junior Asparagus, a small asparagus, Colonel Archibald, a large asparagus, and Small Peas that talk in a French accent (who are the funniest veggies by far!!) These characters interact with others on each video to tell a biblical tale on a child's level. They do not push or overload on the bible, nor is it a sermon- it is the perfect blend of a Sunday school lesson mixed with the fun antics of the Veggies Gang.

VeggieTales: Dave and the Giant Pickle was the first video of the series that our family saw, and we were not prepared for how good it would really be! Dave and the Giant Pickle tells the story of David and Goliath, and tells the lesson that with God's love and faith, ANYTHING is possible!

Before each story is told, Bob and Larry read a letter from a child who has written in with a question. Myra writes in to ask them why she can't do things that her older siblings can- hence the story of Dave the Giant Pickle is told.

Dave, played by Junior Asparagus, is tending sheep with his three older brothers in Israel. They make him do everything for them, making him sad and feeling very used. A messenger brings word that the Philistines have decided to wage war on Israel and make the Israelites their slaves. The three older brothers went to join the Israel Army, while Dave was told again that he was to little to come and must stay behind.

The armies in those days liked to taunt each other first, so battle lines drawn, the French peas threw out many unkind words, leaving the Israelites speechless, and hungry. The Philistines decide to end this war quickly and ask the Israelites to pick their strongest man and they would pick their own strongest, and who ever lost would be the other's slave. Everyone agreed- and the Giant Pickle appeared... how would the Israelites win now?

Each video has an intermission, which is a hilarious and light hearted song by Larry segment called Silly Songs with Larry. This video plays the song "I Love My Lips" which is about Larry seeing talking to Archibald about all of his Lip Adventures- VERY funny!

The Israelities were terrified, and Goliath came back every day to fight for 40 days, with noone brave to fight him. Dave came to King Saul's camp to bring his brother's pizza, and saw the Giant Pickle. Dave told his brothers that they were God's chosen people, and that God would help them fight Goliath.

Dave decided to tell King Saul that he would fight Goliath, and sang him his song "Little Guys Can Do Big Things Too."
He decided to take Goliath on with 5 smooth stones he found out of the nearby creek.

Goliath laughed at Dave, and came at him with boxing gloves on it. Dave used his sling-shot, and with one shot took Goliath down with one stone to the head. A little guy who did a BIG thing!

After the story, Bob and Larry discuss the story about what they learned today. A song plays about God's word and how it applies to our daily life, a segway into Bob and Larry's explanation of the story. Cordy, their computer, types out a verse for children to learn and grow from. Today's verse comes from Matthew 19:26 and states "With God, all things are possible." Bob and Larry than say something funny with a good-bye!

The VeggieTales: Dave and the Giant Pickle Video can be found at most Public Libraries, Christian Book Stores, Church Libraries, Wal-Mart and other Discount Stores. Each video costs about $14.97 each, and usually have a new one come out every year. If you liked the Veggie Tales videos, Fisher Price has the Veggie Tales toys and there also CD's to listen to their songs as well.

I highly recommend the VeggieTales: Dave and the Giant Pickle Video for the entire family!




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up to Age 4