This is a sneak peek review of the children’s German-themed DVD Families of Germany. It’s from the Families of the World series and comes from Master Communications. It’s due for release on September 20. I was provided this children’s DVDs for review, but was under no obligation to recommend it. My observations are my own.
Synopsis of the Children’s German-Themed DVD Families of Germany
Rural and suburban life are focused on during two different fall weekends in which holiday celebrations are in the process of taking place. First, seven year old Sophia lives the country life outside of Marburg (which she likens to a Brothers Grimm story setting) with her two siblings, a kitten, and parents. Like city kids, she gets up and goes to school and learns such subjects like English (via songs like “Singin’ in the Rain”). But her life outside of school is quite busy as she takes guitar lessons and helps feed the animals at a farm twice a week. Viewers get to see the family’s unique utensil that cracks hard-boiled eggs. She gets ready for St. Martin’s Day (November 11), where in her area, she goes out with other kids and sings songs to get treats from the neighbors. The holiday visuals had some resemblance to Halloween.
Next, ten year old Ole lives outside of Berlin with his two tortoises, two brothers, and both parents. It’s Halloween weekend, so the day before Halloween, he attends a party in a park setting with his Boy Scout troop and the other scouts’ parents. Ole and the family go into Berlin to do some sightseeing on Halloween Day, before he gets ready for some American-style trick or treating that night, all dressed up with the other kids in costumes and masks. At school, he also learns English and Math in 5th grade and goes to handball practice after lessons.
More about the Families of Germany Video
I strongly recommend this video for a few reasons. First, children in America will get the chance to compare and contrast how life is similar and different in other countries through these “a day or two in the life” type of storylines. And the two vignettes show the importance of having a close knit family, as well as focus on each family member and some of how they live their daily lives through work/school and their hobbies. These kids have active lives, and aren’t glued to the computer nor TV all the time, which is a good example to emulate. The narration and variety of places featured in urban and small town/rural Germany plus the pacing of the vignettes will keep young school-aged kids interested and engaged.
This Families of the World children’s DVD, which runs about half an hour, is due for release to retail outlets like Amazon.com on September 20, and has a Suggested Retail Price of $29.95. The language is in English with English subtitles and Closed Captioning options. The ISBN Number for Families of Germany is 978-1-60480-113-2. For more information about Families of the World, go to the website