VeggieTales 'Twas the Night Before Easter ~ Review & Giveaway

Unfortunately there are a lot of television shows and movies out there that are not appropriate for kids. I am always looking for wholesome options that help to teach my children more about the values we feel strongly about in our family. That's why I truly appreciate Big Idea Entertainment!

Big Idea Entertainment is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Since 1993, Big Idea’s best-selling animated series VeggieTales has sold 53+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. Like most households with young children, our family is very familiar with VeggieTales. That's why we were thrilled to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review the new VeggieTales 'Twas the Night Before Easter DVD, their first new Easter holiday DVD in seven years!

When the DVD arrived in the mail, I was very excited to pop it in and see how Kaelyn liked it. I had a feeling it would be something the whole family would enjoy watching together, and I was right!

It's Easter time in Crisper County and cable news reporter Marlee Meade (Petunia Rhubarb) is hunting for a way to help others. On a tip that the old town theater will be shut down, Marlee cooks up a plan to save the stage and make a difference through the power of musical theater! With a cast of costume-clad townies, massive props and a 20 ft robot rabbit - "Up With Bunnies" is hatched! There's only one thing missing - the star of the show!

When news spreads that singing sensation Cassie Cassava (Melinda Doolittle) is arriving to perform in her hometown church's Easter service, Marlee gets worried. Concerned about the the competition, she schemes to steal the starlet for her own pageant! But when things go haywire, will it be curtains for Marlee's dreams - or will she discover the true meaning of Easter and what helping others is really all about?

"Eggs-tra" Bonus Features:

• Audio commentary
• The Hopperena Silly Songs Sing Along
• Behind the voice of Cassie with Melinda Doolittle
• Larry's backstage pass to VeggieTales Live!
• Easter Cards Interactive Matching Game

Not only does this family-friendly dvd offer an entertaining story about Marlee Meade and her hope to make a difference through the power of musical theater, but it also examines the importance of helping others and serving those in need while exploring the real meaning of Easter. Filled with silly songs, interviews and a backstage pass feature with Larry the Cucumber on the VeggieTales Live! tour, 'Twas The Night Before Easter is a DVD our whole family enjoyed. It held our attention from beginning to end and most importantly, helped remind us of what Easter is really all about. We really enjoyed the all new veggie character, Cassie Cassava too. Cassie is voiced by former American Idol Melinda Doolittle.

We love the 'Twas the Night Before Easter DVD and think it's a great addition to our VeggieTales Collection. I love the message and the VeggieTales characters we have come to know and love. I also think it's neat that Big Idea Entertainment has teamed up with Christian charity World Vision to teach kids about the value of helping others. In the extra features section there is an animation featuring Bob and Larry encouraging child sponsorship through this charity. You can learn more about sponsoring a child in need by visiting BigIdea.com/worldvision.

Buy it: You can purchase the VeggieTales 'Twas the Night Before Easter at Walmart for $14.99 (and attached to the DVD is a VeggieTales Easter egg dye kit!)

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win a VeggieTales 'Twas the Night Before Easter DVD of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Veggie Tales and let me know something you like about their new website.

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry - Like VeggieTales on Facebook

2. 1 extra entry - Follow VeggieTales on Twitter

3. 1 extra entry - Sign up for the VeggieTales Email Newsletter

4. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and VeggieTales) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

5. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

#Win a VeggieTales 'Twas the night Before Easter DVD! #momsbalancingact http://bit.ly/e5hgjH Ends 4/1

6. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

7. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

8. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

9. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

10. Enter any of my other current giveaways. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

11. 1 extra entry- Share about this giveaway on your Facebook status by including a link back to this giveaway (you can do this once a day, for an extra entry every day).

Leave one comment for each entry you complete above including with each, your e-mail address (or make sure it's visible in your profile) so that I can easily contact the winner!!

This giveaway will end April 1st and is open to US Only

**Thank you to Big Idea Entertainment for providing the products for this review and giveaway. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own.**