Little Bugs Teach Big Lessons Product Review of Bugtime Adventure Series By Lisa M. HendeyI’m one of those “mean” moms who typically makes her children do “homework” during
summer, convinced that a stretch of close to three months with no pencil in hand will be detrimental to academic progress my boys have achieved during school year. This summer however, my sons have negotiated with me to avoid traditional summer workbooks we’ve used in past. In their place, boys are coming up with their own learning activities with goal of having fun while reinforcing math, language arts, and religious lessons learned during year.
A newly created animation series by Lightning Bug Flix fits perfectly into summer agenda around our house – learning laced with laughter, fundamentals featuring fun! My youngest son Adam and I recently took time to enjoy first in a planned thirteen episode series of DVD productions entitled “Blessing in Disguise: The Joseph Story”. I asked ten year old Adam to join me in a screening and review of this inaugural episode, and was genuinely pleased by Adam’s response to film. Additionally, I found myself entertained and inspired by this retelling of biblical account of Joseph.
Lightning Bug Flix lists following vision at its website:
Lightning Bug Flix is a media production company creating television and home video programming that brings Insight, Inspiration, and Delight to children around world:
•Inspiration that draws viewers' hearts closer to God; •Insight that brings a better understanding of God and our relationship to Him; •Delight that comes from engaging characters and entertaining stories of faith.
As a parent, I’d have to say that “Blessing in Disguise” is a great first step towards meeting this vision. Delightful calypso-style music opens story, introduces us to a community of bugs preparing for a big picnic. Interwoven with tale of Antoni and his friends, we meet Joseph, who is facing an important decision. Both characters have been harmed by loved ones. Joseph, sharing a flashback of his life story with a trusted servant, reflects, “Sometimes even good people do bad things.” Antoni and Joseph both contemplate seeking revenge on those who have harmed them, but end up deciding that “sometimes revenge isn’t so sweet.” Recounting events which lead him to eventually rule wisely in Egypt, saving his country and even his own family from famine, Joseph declares, “Sometimes worst of deeds can be a blessing in disguise.”
