Tonight my children (15, 13, 12, 9, and 5) and I watched Right in the Kisser, Teaching the Golden Rule (GR) and Veg Man of the Universe, Teaching Garbage in Garbage out (GIGO). We do not watch TV on a regular basis, but we do enjoy a good movie. GR is video lesson 1 of 6 and presents following the golden rule. GIGO is video lesson 5 of 6 and presents the importance of putting good things into your life, not junk. Granpa Crachet recommends this series for children 4 to 10 years old. Both video play for about 30 minutes, perfect for keeping little ones occupied while working with an older child. These are live productions, so you will see and hear an audience. I enjoyed watching GR and GIGO. My children also enjoyed these programs. I know my 5 and 9-year-old children will be asking to watch them again and again, and I suspect the 13 and 15 year old won't leave the room if GR is playing.

Through a series of adventures in his general store, Granpa Cratchet presents living the golden rule in GR. He talks to the audience and invites them to respond back. This is where you get the audience participation.

My favorite part of the videos are the commercials. Granpa Cratchet has added commercials into his live video, kind of like a Saturday morning ½ hour TV show. The commercials cover dental emergencies, the dangers of smoking, energy usage, and playtime. Both videos are funny, silly, and entertaining to watch. If you like fun videos for your children, check out Granpa Cratchet.

--Product Review by: Tina Rice, Staff Writer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

and another perspective:

Granpa Crachet Videos
Veg Man of the Universe and
Right in the Kisser
www.granpa100.com

Veg Man of the Universe is about choosing the right things in life. "Garbage in Garbage Out" is the central theme, highlighting that our lives are a product of our choices. Right in the Kisser features a lesson on the Golden Rule, "Treat others as you wish to be treated."

There are six videos in the Granpa Crachet Series. Each is filmed before a live audience at Granpa's General Store and Farmer's Market. Children are encouraged to experience the natural relationship of grandfather "talks" through Granpa Crachet. The material is geared to a secular audience and features themes that you would find in a public school character curriculum. Taped from a PBS program, commercials are aired during the video. Commercial themes include the dangers of drugs and smoking, true fatherhood, and tolerance.

Personally, I did not feel that the programs were geared or even suitable to a homeschool audience since basically most homeschool families do not deal with issues of dropping out of school, drug and alcohol abuse, absentee fathers and tolerance (refer to Josh McDowell's comments on tolerance and Christianity). Although my child enjoyed the humor, they are not something that I would purchase.

--Product Review by: Teri Lucas, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

and another perspective:

Granpa Cratchet DVD Series
Right in the Kisser (29 minutes)
Right to the Moon Baby (28 minutes)
Veg Man of the Universe (29 minutes)
www.granpa100.com

Granpa Cratchet
General Delivery
Big Hollow Road
Sharpsville, IN 46068

When purchasing entertainment, I look for timeless classics, the type of movie to be watched again and again. The Granpa Cratchet DVD series would not fall in that category. My family enjoys humor and fun, but this enthusiastic Granpa puppet can cross the lines of good taste.

True, children may laugh at his slapstick "high powered automatic toilet paper dispenser" that operates at "ex-lax speed." They may be amused by his tricks on Grandma, his slime faced dog, and his "kissy-face speed popcorn machine." Children may not notice all Granpa's demeaning jokes (Granpa's favorite vegetable--Grandma). However, there are higher interest and better quality productions, with nicer role models.

On the other hand if you like loud, obnoxious, but well meaning Granpas, maybe you will find this series to your liking. Granpa does have a cute, appealing appearance. The "old fashioned values" are good, just a bit lost in the action. Granpa, recommended for ages four to ten, performs at special events and he certainly could grab the interest of the younger set.

Should you decide to purchase this series, a word of caution regarding the many commercials -- there are some that I found inappropriate: an angel/devil on the shoulder scene in an anti smoking campaign, there is an accidental shooting of a child, and other commercials with questionable content.



-- Product Review by: Marla G. Nowak, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine