Library and Educational Services LLC

It is no secret that our family reads--a lot--so it's not surprising that our favorite reviews are often book reviews. This time though, we're not talking about a single book, but a whole pile of interesting and educational materials.

Imagine my excitement when we were able to choose our own books from Library and Educational Services LLC. We were given the choice of one book from the best-selling Who Was . . . ? series, one CD from the dynamic Lifehouse Theater CD series, and a selection of the Reinforced Hardcover Library Binding Nonfiction books.

      

Library and Educational Services is a small, family-owned company right here in Michigan. They've been in business as a whole-sale distributor for over 40 years, selling to libraries, schools, re-sellers, specialty stores, churches, missionaries, daycare centers, and ministry leaders. The merchandise is carefully selected to ensure they represent Christian morals and values. They specialize in materials for children, though they do offer many products for the adult crowd, as well. From Bibles to biographies to DVDs to marriage helps to coloring books and everything in between, there is something to appeal to everyone. 

On top of their great selection are their great prices. All of their materials are between 30% to 70% off publisher's list prices every day. I personally have ordered from them multiple times and have been very pleased with both the products and the prices. And my kids are always thrilled when they get a big box of new books!

We've been big fans of the Who Was . . . ? books for a while. In fact, we own over 50 titles from the series. I require my kids to spend a certain portion every week reading a biography. While we have many different types in our personal library, the Who Was . . . ? books are a favorite. They are perfect for the middle grades with a slightly larger font size and vocabulary usage. Each book is right around 100 pages and is filled with sketch drawings on nearly every page. There are also timelines in the back and additional bibliography suggestions. Along with the Who Was? books which focus on people of the past, there are What Was? (events), Where Is? (places), and Who Is? (people of the present) titles.  

We were given 1 book, but I ordered an additional 4 to add to our collection. Occasionally, a single title might drop lower in price from another retailer, but in general, this is the cheapest place to purchase these books. In fact, they have dropped even lower than the every day price during a current sale. All the titles in the series are only $2.89. I already placed another order of 10 of these books! The ones I got for this review though are Who Was William Shakespeare?, Who Were The Brothers Grimm?, What Was the Great Chicago Fire?, What Was Pearl Harbor?, and Where Is the Tower of London?.

Another great aspect that I never noticed before is that the What Was? books each have an additional 16 pages of historical photographs and the Where Is books have a full-color, fold-out map with pictures on the back. These bonus pages help the places and events comes to life and give the reader a more vivid understanding. I've enjoyed looking through these pictures of the past.

The Lifehouse Theater CD series is also something we were familiar with as we already owned a couple productions. These On-The-Air audio dramas are adaptations of classic stories from literature, history, and the Bible. The stories come to life through powerful performances, beautiful music, and rich sound effects, making a "theater of the imaginations."

We chose "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." The story is based on a short account within Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. In it, a pet mongoose bravely protects his human family from a pair of deadly cobras. This version begins and ends with a side story as a missionary relates the courage of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi to calm a young boy who had been bitten by a snake and wins over the boy's aloof father in the process. The story encourages bravery, faith, and love. This production is well done and was enjoyed by the whole family. This particular story is right around a half hour, but others in the series are more than twice that length.

Choosing our Reinforced Hardcover Library Binding Nonfiction books was a more more difficult task than deciding the other materials. There are just so many options! Since my kids range in age from 4 years to 13 years and naturally have different interests, I picked books that would not only be educational, but intriguing, as well. Here is our loot:

• The Black Death 1347-1350
• Bloodiest Battles (set of 4)
• Ye Yucky Middle Ages (set of 4)
• Real Life Science Projects (set of 2)
• Extreme Survival (set of 2)

I admit, I am a book nerd, but I have to say that these books are beautiful! There is just something special about a brand new pile of books, especially ones that are as well-made as these. All but the survival books are hardcover with sturdy binding. The books are full of color with eye-catching pictures and pleasing formats. The books are designed to teach kids all sorts of important and fascinating facts, but even I have been reading my way through them and learning new things.

My daughter did find a single defect in one of our books. She was reading Who Was William Shakespeare? when she came across a page that was flipped and torn. The page wasn't cut properly so it was substantially larger than the others, causing it damage.

I headed to the site, clicked the contact us button, and then filled out the form through the email link. I gave my information and explained the situation. The next day I received a personalized email from customer service. She was friendly, apologized for the defect, and shipped me a new book. Mistakes happen; how you handle them is important. The customer service at Library and Educational Services LLC is fantastic.

I have always been pleased with my experiences with Library and Educational Services LLC. They have a vast selection of quality books at amazing prices. Here is a sampling of materials we own that they sell: the Rush Revere books, set of 26 Profiles of the Presidents books, Adventures in Odyssey CDs, Drive Thru History DVDs, pack of Cartoon Nation books, Go Science DVDs, and, of course, dozens of Who Was . . . ? books. They truly offer something for everyone.

Head over to Library and Educational Services LLC today and don't forget to take advantage of their sale on the Who Was . . . ? series!

You can connect with Library and Educational Services LLC on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Pinterest 

YouTube

Instagram

Since members of the Crew were able to choose their own titles for this review, there are so many more books and CDs that have been used by homeschooling families this summer. You can read those reviews on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

For The Temple

We are so excited to be starting another year with the Homeschool Review Crew with a review of one of our favorite vendors! Heirloom Audio produces some of the best audio dramas we have ever heard. Our schooling is literature-based, so we're often reading quality writings together that teach life lessons and new vocabulary. We are drawn to living books that bring the stories to life and teach valuable lessons. Instead of sitting and writing facts in a workbook, we choose to learn history through these stories. For those times though when I can't sit and read to the kiddos, we like to utilize audio books and incorporate them into our schooling and daily life.

We couldn't wait to listen to For The Temple. 

Heirloom Audio has converted multiple historical adventure novels by G.A. Henty into theater-quality audio dramas. Our main curriculum lists many Henty books in the reading list, because they are known for their deep history, rich literature, and exciting plots. So far, because my kiddos are still pretty young, they aren't drawn to the novels themselves, but they are truly captivated by these adaptations. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. The music, the actors, the sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear arrows flying through the air, torches flaming, a battering ram thumping, wood splitting, and fire crackling, and you feel as if you are there as one of the characters of the story. The narrator, Brian Blessed, has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the plot.

The story begins in AD 67 when Nero was in power and the Jews revolted against Rome's authority. It follows the life of a young man named John as he was pulled into the fight of rebellion. He was trained by Josephus, survived a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee, and used his cunning skills to be one of the few survivors of the Battle of Jotapata. Using his experience and proficient abilities, he recruited a band of young men to harass the Roman armies. News of his feats traveled throughout the land as he continued to best the enemy. He fought the general Titus, won the one-on-one battle, earned his respect, and received a promise from him. Over time, John and his men continued in the fight and earned the trust of other Jews. They were crucial participants during the siege of Jerusalem as they gave the men resolve, offered strategic plans, and helped to feed starving people. John had made it his mission to defend the Temple at all costs. He watched the walls crumble, the gate burn, and men fall. He learned valuable lessons about God's character and His judgment. Through these experiences and the influence of others, John learned about Yeshua and what it meant to be a follower of His and that changed his life forever.

There is a downloadable Study Guide & Discussion Starter that accompanies the story. This complete guide is used to enhance your learning and complement your study. Each section, which correlates to the tracks on the CDs, is  filled with review questions (Listening Well), ideas to get you thinking deeper (Thinking Further), and vocabulary words (Defining Words). There is information about the biblical and historical background of the story, multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story (No Other Savior, Proper Worship, Christ Our Temple), and many pictures from the times. There are boxes throughout the study that are filled with snippets of information that relate to the period. A recommended reading list about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 is also included.  

While you can learn much simply by listening to the story and incorporating the guide, you can take your study even deeper by joining the Live the Adventure Club. As a member, you'll have access to a community forum, daily motivational quotes and stories, hundreds of articles about parenting and historical learning, a collection of rare textbooks from the 1700-1800s, and hundreds of fun activities. By signing up now, you can even get one of their audio dramas for free (just pay shipping and handling). The Live the Adventure Club makes history exciting.

We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. The kids and I especially enjoyed the sections teaching about food in ancient Jerusalem, the Flavian Amphitheater, a map of the siege of Jerusalem, and Gideon's army defeating the Midianites (one of my favorite Bible stories). I always appreciate the content included in these guides as it is informative, interesting, and encourages us to really think.

For The Temple provides 2 1/2 hours worth of historical learning. The production is ideal for ages 6+ and was well-loved by my whole family. There are some elements that are more difficult for the young ones to understand, but this is a great way to introduce them to new topics. It's never to early to enjoy quality literature. We are thankful to add this story to our collection and await the next exciting adventure from Heirloom Audio.  

You can connect with Heirloom Audio on the following social media sites: 

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Be sure to read more reviews of this audio drama on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

St. Bartholomew's Eve

Heirloom Audio produces some of the best audio dramas we have ever heard and reviewed. Our schooling is literature-based, so we're often reading quality writings together that teach life lessons and new vocabulary. We are drawn to living books that bring the stories to life and teach valuable lessons. Instead of sitting and writing facts in a workbook, we choose to learn history through these stories. For those times though when I can't sit and read to the kiddos, we like to utilize audio books and incorporate them into our schooling and daily life.

This time, we traveled to France in St. Bartholomew's Eve.  

Heirloom Audio has converted multiple historical adventure novels by G.A. Henty into theater-quality audio dramas. Our main curriculum lists many Henty books in the reading list, because they are known for their deep history, rich literature, and exciting plots. So far, my kiddos aren't drawn to the novels themselves, but they are truly captivated by these adaptations. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. The powerful music, the talented actors, the realistic sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear pistols firing, horse hooves clomping, swords clanking, money jingling, crickets chirping, and arrows whizzing through the air and you feel as if you are there as one of the characters of the story. The narrator, Brian Blessed, has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the plot.

As is typical with the other Heirloom Audio dramas, this one also begins with Mr. George introducing the story to a couple of boys. It begins in 1567 as the Huguenots were being persecuted. It follows the life of a young Philip as he left the safety of England for the danger of France to help "break the bonds of Tyranny, to achieve our God-given right to worship Him according to our beliefs." Through many battles, he helped the Huguenots attack and capture their enemies. He made sure to pray to God before his battles and prayed specifically that he and the others would don each piece of the armor of God. He protected the prince in the heat of battle, captured leaders and officials in Toulouse, nearly died, and was dubbed a knight. He used his wisdom from God to set up a signal system that gave them an extra two hours to prepare for impending danger, to create an unconventional plan that involved cows to drive an enemy army away, and to remove Xs from doors to protect fellow Believers. It was not all victory, though. They felt that all hope was lost while trapped in a castle and sang a moving hymn and later were in Paris when a massacre was in progress. He and those close to him experience death, loss, and suffered from "wound no one could see." Through it all, he continued with his duty to protect others and "fought for not only his own rights, but the rights of those for generations to come." Along with the non-stop action and exciting adventures, there are plenty of morals and Biblical truths taught along the way. 

While you can learn much simply by listening to the story, you can take your study deeper by joining the Live the Adventure Club. As a member, you'll have access to bonus content about St. Bartholomew's Eve along with many more features. There is a community forum, daily motivational quotes and stories, hundreds of articles about parenting and historical learning, a collection of rare textbooks from the 1700-1800s, and hundreds of fun activities. By signing up now, you can even get this audio drama for free (just pay shipping and handling)! The Live the Adventure Club makes history exciting.

St. Bartholomew's Eve provides 2 1/2 hours worth of historical learning. The production is ideal for ages 6+, but even my little ones enjoy listening. There are some elements that are more difficult for the young ones to understand, but this is an ideal way to introduce them to new topics. It's never to early to enjoy quality literature. We are thankful to add this story to our collection and await the next exciting adventure from Heirloom Audio. 

You can connect with Heirloom Audio on the following social media sites:

Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Instagram

You can read more reviews of this audio drama on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Underground Rising

We review all sorts of resources and manipulatives for school. I believe in having many options to keep my little ones learning. But our foundation, the basis of our education is literature. Whether it's fun picture books or engaging fiction or historical biographies, you can be sure there is a fair amount being read in our home every day. While I do believe in the importance of the written word, there are times when it is not feasible to sit down and read a novel. It's times like these that we love to turn on an audio book.

The Brinkman Adventures has combined two of our favorite things--audio books and missionary stories--to make a truly entertaining and educational production. My kids fell in love with these stories a few years ago and have listened to dozens of the episodes. They were thrilled to receive the  digital version of Season 6: Underground Rising to add to our collection.

The Brinkman Adventures is an audio drama series and radio show. It's not like a typical audio book that we utilize often as it is not converted from a book, but the episodes weave true missionary stories into the family's adventures to make it a hybrid of sorts. The series was born from a vision to "inspire future missionaries." By combining realistic sound effects, original music, and exciting dialogue, the stories are "movies for the ears." Though the Brinkmans are a fictional family, they are based on and voiced by Ian and Amy Bultman and their 10 children. The drama follows the family across the globe as they hear stories of hiding from the Gestapo in the hole in the floor, eating paper with secret messages, escaping from jail, meeting a prince, experiencing a near-death situation, witnessing a divine healing,  being attacked by a tiger, and the retreating of hundreds of soldiers. They witness to many, see hearts changed, experience heartache, and experience joy.  

You'll find these episodes in season 6:

• Episode 55: Dutch Underground Part 1
• Episode 56: Dutch Underground Part 2
• Episode 57: Twice Born Fly
• Episode 58: I Wonder Why?
• Episode 59: Free Burma Rangers Part 1
• Episode 60: Free Burma Rangers Part 2

You can take the learning to a deeper level passed simply listening to the series. There is an entire section on their site that is filled with the stories behind the stories. You can learn more about metamorphosis, how rove beetles cause rashes, what happens during an allergic reaction, ranger training, and even learn much family history and translate foreign words. There is also a ton more information about the real events and how the writers used things in their own lives for inspiration. There are many pictures and videos that enhance the learning, as well. I, personally, have spent much time soaking up these missionary stories.  

We've listened to this audio while doing chores and for downtime in the house. Each episode is 25 minutes, so they're perfect for squeezing in some audio time. My kids laughed at the silly antics of a monkey and when Charlie swallowed the fly. These amazing accounts are entertaining, for sure, but what makes them even more inspiring is that they are based on modern-day missionary heroes.

The Brinkman Adventures has been a big hit with the whole family. I appreciate that the kids are entertained with wholesome stories, but even more than that, I love that they're learning that there are still true heroes around the globe and that God is still using regular people to change the hearts of a sinful world.

You can connect with the Brinkman Adventures on Facebook and listen to samples of each episode on their website. 

You can read more reviews of these adventures on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Wulf the Saxon

We are so excited to be starting another year with the Homeschool Review Crew with a review of one of our favorite vendors! Heirloom Audio Productions produces some of the best audio dramas we have ever heard. Our schooling is literature-based, so we're often reading quality writings together that teach life lessons and new vocabulary. We are drawn to living books that bring the stories to life and teach valuable lessons. Instead of sitting and writing facts in a workbook, we choose to learn history through these stories. For those times though when I can't sit and read to the kiddos, we like to utilize audio books and incorporate them into our schooling and daily life.

This time, we traveled to England in Wulf the Saxon.  

Heirloom Audio Productions has converted multiple historical adventure novels by G.A. Henty into theater-quality audio dramas. Our main curriculum lists many Henty books in the reading list, because they are known for their deep history, rich literature, and exciting plots. So far, my kiddos aren't drawn to the novels themselves, but they are truly captivated by these adaptations. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. The music, the actors, the sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear the the wood on the ship creaking, waves splashing, chains clinking, water dripping, birds chirping, and swords clanking and you feel as if you are there as one of the characters of the story. The narrator, Brian Blessed, has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the plot.

Just like the other dramas, this one begins with Mr. George introducing the story to a couple of boys. It begins in 1065 when 16-year-old Wulf has an interaction that sends him away from the king's court and home to assume his role as thane of his land. Despite disappointment, Wulf strives to serve his people well and quickly earns their respect. Over time, Wulf receives a pardon from the king and returns to the court in London. This experience changes the course of his life. He survives a terrible storm, capsizes in a foreign land, is captured by the enemy, is forced to serve in the count's court, and miraculously escapes. The king dies with no heir, producing a war over succession. Wulf receives help from an unlikely source as he helps his friend and newly crowned king, Harold, fight to keep the throne. Time after time, Wulf proves that he is an honorable man, full of courage and devoted to his country. The Battle of Hastings would seal their fate and change the course of history. Along with the non-stop action and exciting adventures, there are plenty of morals and Biblical truths taught along the way.    

While you can learn much simply by listening to the story, you can take your study deeper by joining the Live the Adventure Club. As a member, you'll have access to bonus content about Wulf the Saxon along with many more features. There is a community forum, daily motivational quotes and stories, hundreds of articles about parenting and historical learning, a collection of rare textbooks from the 1700-1800s, and hundreds of fun activities. By signing up now, you can even get one of their audio dramas for free (just pay shipping and handling)! The Live the Adventure Club makes history exciting.

Wulf the Saxon provides 2 1/2 hours worth of historical learning. The production is ideal for ages 6+, but even my little ones enjoy listening. There are some elements that are more difficult for the young ones to understand, but this is an ideal way to introduce them to new topics. It's never to early to enjoy quality literature. We are thankful to add this story to our collection and await the next exciting adventure from Heirloom Audio Productions. 

You can connect with Heirloom Audio Productions on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

Google+

YouTube

You can read more reviews of Wulf the Saxon on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Brinkman Adventures

We review all sorts of resources and manipulatives for school. I believe in having many options to keep my little ones learning. But our foundation, the basis of our education is literature. Whether it's fun picture books or engaging fiction or historical biographies, you can be sure there is a fair amount being read in our home every day. While I do believe in the importance of the written word, there are times when it's not feasible to sit down and read a novel. It's times like these that we love to turn on an audio book.

The Brinkman Adventures has combined two of our favorite things--audio books and missionary stories--to make a truly entertaining and educational production. My kids fell in love with these stories while listening to season 3 and were thrilled to receive Brinkman Adventures Season 4.

The Brinkman Adventures is an audio drama series and radio show. It's not like a typical audio book that we utilize often as it is not converted from a book, but the episodes weave true missionary stories into the family's adventures to make it a hybrid of sorts. Though the Brinkmans are a fictional family, they are based on and voiced by Ian and Amy Bultman and their 10 children. The drama follows the family across the globe as they confront a witch doctor, "smuggle translated Bibles past guards," ride a flying machine, eat caterpillars, get locked out of the house by a robot, witness to many, and experience heartache and joy. You'll find all this in Season 4:

• Episode 37: A Paradise Lost
• Episode 38: Remember Nhu
• Episode 39: Aisha's Fear
• Episode 40: Heart Song
• Episode 41: The Crashed Kitchen
• Episode 42: Crisis in the Congo
• Episode 43: The Mysterious Palm Feller
• Episode 44: War of the Raccoons
• Episode 45: The Five Guys
• Episode 46: Toughest Man
• Episode 47: Cambodian Quest
• Episode 48: What Brings Us Together

You can take the learning to a deeper level past simply listening to the series. There is an entire section on their site that is filled with the stories behind the stories. You can learn more about the tactics villagers used to kill animals (and the downfalls of them), the power of hippos, how many homes around the world for children who are at risk of being sold as slaves, how forgiveness can win over those who are trying to sabotage you, how one man was able to stay faithful in the midst of extreme persecution, and what really happened the day of the wedding. There is also a ton more information about the real events and how the writers used things in their own lives for inspiration. There are many pictures and videos that enhance the learning, as well. I, personally, have spent much time soaking up these missionary stories.  

They recently came out with curriculum to inspire the next generation of missionaries. It includes a teacher's manual, a CD of season 1, a classroom version of the CD with highlights of the stories, and a resource CD with all the printables for the lessons. 

We've listened to this audio drama driving in the van and for downtime in the house. Immediately, everyone gets quiet so they don't miss anything. The kids were amazed when the Russian officer died after the elderly woman's prophecy and especially enjoyed the story about the king who lost his finger. These amazing accounts are entertaining, for sure, but what makes them even more inspiring is that they are based on modern-day missionary heroes.

The Brinkman Adventures has been a big hit with the whole family. I appreciate that the kids are entertained with wholesome stories, but even more than that, I love that they're learning that there are still true heroes in the world, that God is still using regular people to change the hearts of a sinful world.


You can connect with Brinkman Adventures on their website and Facebook. 

You can read more reviews of these dramas on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Captain Bayley's Heir

We've been blessed with the opportunity to review the newest audio drama from Heirloom Audio Productions. They have produced some of the best audio dramas we have ever heard and always make our family happy to learn history. Our schooling is literature-based, so we're often reading quality writings together that teach life lessons and new vocabulary. For those times though when I can't sit and read to the kiddos, we like to utilize audio books and incorporate them into our schooling and daily life.

We couldn't wait to listen to Captain Bayley's Heir.

Heirloom Audio Productions has converted multiple historical adventure novels by G.A. Henty into theater-quality audio dramas. Our main curriculum lists many Henty books in the reading list, because they are known for their deep history, rich literature, and exciting plots. So far, my kiddos aren't drawn to the novels themselves, but they are truly captivated by these adaptations. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. The music, the actors, the sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear the sound of horses' hooves pounding on the ground, guns shooting, fire crackling, bird chirping, glass breaking, and you feel as if you are there as one of the characters of the story. It is that realistic. The narrator, Brian Blessed, has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the plot.

The story begins in England in the 1800s. There's a whole cast of characters, but mostly follows the life of 18-year-old Frank. He is noble and generous and well-liked by everyone. After a series of poor choices and being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he was falsely accused of a crime. Before his punishment were to take place, he escaped to America. He experienced much adventure in three years' time. He nearly died in a terrible storm, happened upon a caravan of murdered pioneers, was attacked by 200 Indians, killed a man in self-defense, saved a man's life, found gold, fought to protect strangers, and experienced a miracle. He worked hard and overcame many obstacles. Despite being doubted by many and betrayed by one closest to him, he chose forgiveness. It's a story of grace, forgiveness, and love. Along with the non-stop action and exciting adventures, there are plenty of morals and Biblical truths taught along the way.         

There is a downloadable Study Guide & Discussion Starter that accompanies the story. This complete guide is used to enhance your learning and complement your study. Each section, which correlates to the tracks on the CDs, is  filled with review questions (Listening Well), ideas to get you thinking deeper (Thinking Further), and vocabulary words (Defining Words). There is more information about G.A. Henty, multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story (God's Grace, Becoming a Christian, Honoring Your Parents), many pictures from the times, and much more historical information. There are Expand Your Learning boxes throughout the study that are filled with snippets of information that relate to the period.

There are many more extras that are included as part of the Live the Adventure Club, too. There is the original Captain Bayley's Heir ebook, the official soundtrack composed by John Campbell, a printable cast poster, an inspirational verse poster, and a downloadable desktop wallpaper. Also as part of the Live the Adventure Club, you gain access to many more features, such as the community forum, daily motivational quotes and stories, hundred of articles about parenting, collection of rare textbooks from the 1700-1800s, and hundreds of fun activities.

The whole family loved this story! Some of the other dramas have been a bit complicated between the story line and accents, but this one was easy to follow. It has a couple surprising plot twists that add to the excitement, too. And that soundtrack? I think it's my favorite from all of the Heirloom Audio dramas! It's so peaceful and calming. John Campbell really did a great job with this one. I've enjoyed playing the music over and over. 

We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. The kids and I especially enjoyed the sections teaching about Victorian money, the water routes to California, the dangers of the mining camps, and living in the gold fields. Of course, the little ones didn't quite understand everything, but it's never too early to introduce quality literature.

Captain Bayley's Heir is another fantastic resource from Heirloom Audio Productions. We'll enjoy this for years to come. 

  

You can connect with Heirloom Audio Productions on the following social media sites:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Google+

You can read more reviews of Captains Bayley's Heir on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

In the Riegn of Terror

Our family appreciates the privilege of reviewing products as a member of the Homeschool Review Crew. Over the years, we've been introduced to some amazing vendors and have fallen in love with their products. Heirloom Audio Productions is one of our favorites. They have produced some of the best audio dramas we have ever heard and always make our family happy to learn history.

Our schooling is very literature-based. Our family loves read-alouds and will often sit together to read various novels for hours on end. I love reading my kids quality literature and sharing that time with them. Not only does it teach them life lessons, it also introduces them to new vocabulary. Along with that time spent together, we love to incorporate audio books and dramas into our days. Whether we're folding clothes, driving in the van, or just needing some downtime, audio books are perfect. In the Reign of Terror is no exception.

Heirloom Audio Productions has converted multiple historical adventure novels by G.A. Henty into theater-quality audio dramas. Our main curriculum lists many Henty books in the reading list, because they are known for their deep history, rich literature, and exciting plots. So far, my kiddos aren't drawn to the novels themselves, but they are truly captivated by these adaptations. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. Think of it as watching a movie, but with no picture. In fact, each time we turned on the CD, my two-year-old would point to the television, "Turn on, Mama? I watch movie?" The music, the actors, the sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear a horse walking on cobblestone streets, the birds chirping, an angry mob shouting, swords clinking, crickets humming, and the glass from a window shattering, and you feel as if you are there in France as one of the characters of the story. It is that realistic. The narrator, Brian Blessed, has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the story.

The story takes place in the late 1700s during one of the darkest times in history--The French Revolution. It follows the life of Harry Sandwith, a 16-year-old English boy who leaves his homeland to tutor the sons of the Marquis de St. Caux in France. Harry is befriended by the family and becomes like one of their own. Throughout the story, he protected the marquis' daughters from a rabid dog, stabbed a "demon" wolf to death, and escaped an angry mob. He experienced firsthand the terrors and injustices of the times as he watched the people he grew to love imprisoned and put to death, simply because of their heritage. He risked his own life as he tried to reason with the commoners and show them their unlawfulness. In all of this, he trusted in God to guide him. Along with the non-stop action and exciting adventures, there are plenty of morals and Biblical truths taught along the way.

There is a downloadable Study Guide & Discussion Starter that accompanies the story. This complete guide is used to enhance your learning and complement your study. Each section, which correlates to the tracks on the CDs, is  filled with review questions (Listening Well), ideas to get you thinking deeper (Thinking Further), and vocabulary words (Defining Words). There is more information about G.A. Henty, Maximilien Robespierre, and Marie Antoinette; multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story, many pictures from the times, and much more historical information. There are Expand Your Learning boxes throughout the study that are filled with snippets of information that relate to the period.

There are many more extras that are included as part of the Live the Adventure Club, too. There is the original In the Reign of Terror ebook, the official soundtrack composed by John Campbell, a printable cast poster, an inspirational verse poster, and a downloadable desktop wallpaper. A new thing that I don't remember seeing with other dramas is the inclusion of the official script download. This was extremely helpful during portions of the story that were hard to understand and helped give appropriate information. Also as part of the Live the Adventure Club, you gain access to many more features, such as the community forum, daily motivational quotes and stories, hundred of articles about parenting, collection of rare textbooks from the 1700-1800s, and hundreds of fun activities.  

The 2+ hour audio production is ideal for ages 6-adult, but our entire family enjoyed listening to it. We had a harder time understanding this story than we have with the others. It was a combination of the heavy French accents and the softness of the voices, I think. Normally we can enjoy these while driving, but we realized it took more concentration to follow along because the road noise was a distraction. Even my oldest commented that all the voices sounded similar, so he had a difficult time deciphering which character was speaking.They did, however, enjoy the French words sprinkled throughout the story and laughed at the Frenchman who made funny mistakes when trying to speak English.

We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. The kids and I especially enjoyed the sections teaching about architecture in Paris in the 18th century, fashions of the day, medical practices, and the guillotine. Of course, the little ones didn't quite understand everything, but it's never too early to introduce quality literature. 

This will be a story that we reference throughout the years. In the Reign of Terror is a wonderful resource to have.

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The Cat of Bubastes

Our family is excited every time we review a new audio drama from Heirloom Audio Productions. They have easily become one of our favorite companies as their audio dramas are some of the best we've ever heard.

Our schooling is very literature-based. Our family loves read-alouds and will often sit together to read various novels for hours on end. I love reading my kids quality literature and sharing that time with them. Not only does it teach them life lessons, it also introduces them to new vocabulary. Along with that time spent together, we love to incorporate audio books and dramas into our days. Whether we're folding clothes, driving in the van, or just needing some downtime, audio books are perfect. The Cat of Bubastes has easily become the newest "favorite" in our house.

The Cat of Bubastes is a theater-quality production based on the novel with the same name, written by G.A.Henty. We've listened to many different audio books and dramas, and none has ever compared to the quality of those by Heirloom Audio Productions. If you close your eyes, you feel as if you're there in the story. Think of it as watching a movie, but with no picture. The music, the actors, the sound effects--they all make the story come to life. You hear the stone door opening and closing, the birds tweeting, an angry mob shouting, swords clanking, horses neighing, fire crackling, a crocodile grunting and you feel as if you are there in Ancient Egypt as one of the characters of the story. It is that realistic. The narrator, Brian Blessed, has a rich, powerful voice that makes the drama exciting to listen to. We were immediately pulled into the story.

The story takes place during the times of Ancient Egypt. It follows the life of Amuba, a prince whose father was killed in battle and had been taken captive by the Egyptians. He and his servant are bought by, Ameres, a high priest in the land. Ameres treats them both well and befriends them. Amuba and his son, Chebron, quickly become friends. Together, they learn to trust each other and they experience many obstacles. They learn of a murder plot, save an Israelite woman from a hungry crocodile, accidentally kill their "sacred" cat, and flee and then fight for their lives. They learn of the one true God and trust in Him. Along with the non-stop action and exciting adventures, there are plenty of morals and Biblical truths taught along the way.

The Cat of Bubastes single package costs $29.97 (+ shipping and handling). Along with the 2-CD set, you will receive 3 bonuses:

1. The Cat of Bubastes eStudy Guide (digital download) -- This complete guide is used to enhance your learning and complement your study. Each section, which correlates to the tracks on the CDs, is  filled with review questions (Listening Well), ideas to get you thinking deeper (Thinking Further), and vocabulary words (Defining Words). There is more information about G.A. Henty and Moses; multiple Bible studies that coordinate with the story, many pictures from the times, and much more historical information. 
2. Printable Copy of Bible Verse (digital download) -- "Oh Jehovah, there is none like Thee, neither is there any god besides Thee." I Chronicles 17:21. This inspirational verse can be printed and framed to remind you of God's omnipotence.  
3. The Cat of Bubastes Soundtrack (MP3 download) -- Our family loves soundtracks. This beautiful music was written by Emmy-winning composer John Campbell (creator of the original score for C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Adventures in Odyssey, and more). We've enjoyed listening to this moving music while doing school, cleaning house, and folding laundry.

There is also an option of a family four-pack. For $99.97 (+ shipping and handling), you get 4 copies of the 2-CD set and the bonuses listed above, along with additional bonuses: Live the Adventure E-Newsletter; G.A. Henty's original The Cat of Bubastes e-book with colorful graphics; professionally designed, printable promotional poster; and a behind-the-scenes documentary featuring the cast and crew.

 Here's what my kids had to say about the story:

"It was cool. I didn't want it to end!"

"It was kinda funny when the guy fell on his own knife and was killed."

"It was awesome!"

"I didn't expect the arrow to deflect off a branch and kill the cat."

"I thought Perrrrrmotep was funny."

The 2+ hour audio production is ideal for ages 6-adult, but our entire family enjoyed listening to it. My kids love learning about Ancient Egypt and seeing how it correlates to the events in the Bible. (Even Moses makes an appearance in The Cat of Bubastes.) We used the study guide questions to review the story and tackle difficult topics. The kids and I especially enjoyed the sections teaching about Egyptian slavery, language, diet, hieroglyphics, mummification, and pyramids. There's even information about the importance of dung beetles and crocodiles, and a recipe for ta'amia.  The kids laughed as we talked about King Snefru, because names were so different in Ancient Egypt. Of course, the little ones didn't quite understand everything, but it's never too early to introduce quality literature. This will be a story that we reference throughout the years. The Cat of Bubastes is a wonderful resource to have. 

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You can read more reviews of this production on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.