Wulf the Saxon - Another Hit by Heirloom Audio Productions!

How does a woman become the "best mom"?  Sometimes, simply by handing her children a surprise (for them) package that has Wulf the Saxon, an Heirloom Audio Productions CD-set in it to review. 

Sure enough, when I did this a month ago, my children erupted in squeals of delight and proclamations of how I am the "best mom", and they are so glad I am part of the Review Crew again this year.  My children just LOVE Heirloom Audio Productions and could not wait to hear the latest is their beloved-to-us series of historical audiodramas!

So, wait we did not.  We popped the CD right into our player, and let ourselves be swept back to the year 1065.

The Story

Wulf the Saxon is a Christian audio drama adapted from a book by the same name by G.A. Henty in which a battle for the throne of England erupts, brothers become enemies, and a boy becomes a man.  That boy-grown-to-man is Wulf of Steyning, a Saxon thane - or landholder - who finds himself serving the last of England's Anglo-Saxon monarchs King Harold. 

When the story begins, Wulf is but a boy with a temper who needs to develop self-control before proving himself a noble.  After chastisement, he develops well, and, soon enough, finds himself proving his value when shipwrecked on the shores of Normandy and risking his life to save his sovereign. Later, Wulf and his entourage boldly capture a castle in the Welsh wars, honoring women and children while still succeeding at battle.  He also battles Norsemen and, at the story's climax, stands resolutely by King Harold Godwinson with his comrades at the Battle of Hastings.

Throughout Wulf's adventures, Wulf develops true friendships, faces treachery, embraces loyalty, and demonstrates bravery against odds.  He finds himself immersed in capturing, conflict, and conquering, all the while demonstrating strong, positive relationships and virtue.  Meanwhile, listeners become absorbed in his story with thanks to an engaging plot, realistic sound effects, and the extraordinary talent of a star-studded cast, which includes Brian Blessed, Chris Larkin, Helen George, Jack Farthing, Sian Phillips, and Patrick Godfrey. 

Less overtly Christian than some other Heirloom Audio Productions, Wulf the Saxon still rings true to the overall mission of Heirloom Audio Productions in "engaging our listeners' imagination by taking them back in time and immersing them in a great Christian story".  Wulf the Saxon is anything but didactic.  Rather, it is a 100% engaging historical tale in which characters, embroiled in the drama of the time of the Norman Invasion of England, demonstrate valor, virtue, and mercy in response to challenges that beset them.

Our Thoughts

 
We have listened to Wulf the Saxon several times already in the time we have owned it and found that it sweeps us away each time, whether we are driving in our minivan, down with the flu, or doing chores. 

My youngest son, at seven, appreciated the humor and battles in Wulf the Saxon.  He said:
 

"I liked how at the end the boy interrupted to stop the kiss and asked, 'besides probably kissing, what happened to Wulf after that?'  It was funny.

There were other funny parts, too, like when the guy says, 'I still have my right arm so I think I can crush a few Norman skulls...' And, when he was like, 'That was an awkward battle...' And when Wulf was tempting his friend about the dining hall in the castle that they were going to attack.  He knew his friend's weakness was food...

I like all the battles.  They narrate them well. It's exciting!

I did not know the Welsh and the Saxons had had a war and did not know about the Welsh before this, so I learned something.

Wulf had courage, bravery, and was a good leader.  He was merciful and loyal. 

I think people that like funniness and battles should listen to this CD

My daughter, at ten, liked the balance of battles and calm parts in this CD-set.  She said:

"Wulf the Saxon is an exciting story about the Welsh, Norse, Norman and Saxon wars that I think is good for listeners over at least eight years old.  The story does have some intense parts it it.  It also has virtue, humor, and faith. 

I liked this story.  Even though it was about battles, it was more tame.  They did not get into all the gory details of the battles.  Instead, they used voice and sound effects to make the battles exciting still, but focused more on the history, the bravery, and friendships.

For example, at one point in the story towards its beginning, Wulf and others got stuck on a ship in a storm, and the captain and Harold were departing - one to the shore and one on the ship and they said, 'If I do not meet you on earth again, farewell.' They were so calm, because they were not afraid.  Death was common back then and they had faith to know they might go to heaven to meet again.  

I like listening to the story and I think children who are into history and have good imaginations will like it, too.

My oldest son, at twelve, appreciates the humor, realism, adventure, and history in the CD's and how much they appeal to him as a boy.  He says:

"Wulf the Saxon is very funny.  I thought it was clever when Tostig Godwin had betrayed his brother and joined King Harold of Norway in an attack and Wulf was sent for a parlay.  Tostig asked, 'and how much for King Harold of Norway?" and Wulf responded, 'Seven feet of English ground, maybe more, for he is taller than most men.'   It was also funny when Wulf was saying, 'I will miss Baron De Burg and Guy (pronounced 'gee') and...' and Agnes says, '...and?' and Wulf says, 'I will miss the estate.'  And, Agnes says, 'and the estate will miss you.'  It's so goofy - the romance.  It's gross, so I like that there's not too much romance in the CD.  Thank you, Etienne and Leon for interrupting right before a kiss.

I enjoy the parts when there is fighting.  The battles sound so cool.  The sound effect of shooting arrows. The clanging of swords and other blades. The sounds of the characters as if they were really doing stuff in battle instead of just standing there in front of a microphone.  It all sounds so realistic! 

I learned about the battles with the Welsh.  I already knew a lot about the Norman, Norse, and all that, but the Welsh I had probably only read a paragraph about before.  Now, I know the Welsh war is not a war I want to know that much more about it.  It was exciting, but it sounds more like massacres than anything else.  So, the CD was just enough...

Not long ago, I was playing a video game scenario where I was William the Conqueror.  When I listened to the story, I wished I had heard it before playing, because then I would have known the story of the Norman-Saxon-Danish battles even better. 

One thing I did not like was that the CD did not mention that King Harold was slain by an arrow through the eye, but I can see why the writers didn't put that in.  That would not be good for little kids.  It is too gruesome.  These CD's are a little intense for people maybe under five and sensitive people, but they are not too bad.  They are true to what happened in history.  They focus on the virtue, adventure, and godliness more than the gore and killing.  But, there is still some of that stuff.

I think these stories are good for families and especially boys.

See Our Other Heirloom Audio production Reviews!

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Wulf the Saxon can be ordered as an "instant access" MP3 download version for just $24.97 or as a 2-CD set and "instant access" MP3 version for $29.97, plus shipping and handling.  There are multi-pack packages available, too.
 

 
You may also wish to look into joining the the Live the Adventure Club - an option which brings you Cd-sets, games, old-time radio shows, daily inspiration and devotions, educational resources, a community forum and more.

 

If you'd like to learn more about what families are saying about Wulf the Saxon, check out reviews by 100 Review Crew families.

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Begin a Works of Mercy Wise Men Tradition with 16+ Picture Book-Inspired Service Acts

Happy second week of Advent!  

The Beginning of Our Works of Mercy Wise Men

Two years ago, on this day, I shared my idea for marrying picture books, wise men, and service to create a new family tradition. 

Then, last year, at this time, I was so busy living Advent that I never got around to sharing how the children and I had brought my idea to life as what we dubbed our Works of Mercy Wise Men.

{Disclosure: Some of the links which follow are affiliate ones.  If you click through one and make a purchase, we may receive small compensation at no extra cost to you  Anything we make goes straight back into training happy hearts and sharing about it here.}

On the first day of Advent, the children found our Tales of Glory Wise Men in this vignette:

Then, together, we chatted about why the real wise men traveled, who they were going to see, what Jesus was said to be (a king), what we typically do for kings (serve them), and what kind of king Jesus was (a servant king). 

The children and I, then, continued on to talk about how we can model after Jesus in general (by serving and living works of mercy) and, how we might do so specifically using the supplies our wise men were found with (perhaps making pictures or cards in the style of the illustrations in the book to bring joy to another).  I explained that, throughout Advent, the children might find our kings anywhere in the house with picture books and more and that, whenever they did, if they felt inspired to, they could pause our day to serve someone else.  They loved the idea, and, with it, our Works of Mercy Wise men were inaugurated in keeping with the Year of Mercy focus we'd begun with and our Works of Mercy club and Advent-turned-Works of Mercy-chain.

Throughout the rest of Advent, my children discovered our Works of Mercy Wise Men in different vignettes, and, then, after reading whatever book the wise men were on or near, they "chatted" with the wise men about suggestions for a work or mercy (or simple kindness) we could offer.
 

It was so much fun to see the children's imaginations ignite as they "conversed" with the wise men.  It was equally delightful to hear what Works of Mercy the children came up with after "sharing secrets" with the wise men and cuddling to read together with me.

Some days, the acts of mercy the children decided on were simple ones, such offering prayers for the living or the dead.   Other days, they were more involved, such as making extra laminated prayer bookmarks to gift others or taking special trips to the store for supplies to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, or clothe the naked.  Still other days, the works of mercy the children came up with brought us together with neighbors, such as "visiting the imprisoned" (elderly neighbors who cannot get out much and enjoy company.)  Always, with inspiration from picture books and  "conversations" with our Works of Mercy wise men, the children and I found ourselves better preparing our hearts for the coming of Jesus. 

The Tradition Continues


Making the Works of Mercy Wise Men a new tradition in our home offered much fruit last year, and, thus, even though I have been seeking to simplify a bit this year, our Wise Men are back.

The vignettes the Works of Mercy Wise Men become a part of this year are uber-simple.  Often times, just a book and a quickly jotted phrase or sentence.  Still, the children look forward to finding the wise men daily, to reading together whatever story the wise men are with, and to deciding on a way we can love and serve others that day (or soon thereafter.)

Likewise, I look forward to how heartwarming it is to witness my children brainstorming kindnesses and carrying them out.

8 Books and 16+ Ideas to Get You Started

If you'd like to get started with Works of Mercy Wise Men for the rest of Advent, or, perhaps, between Christmas and Epiphany, here are some simple book-and-service ideas to inspire you and yours.  The first idea for each book is what I had in mind - but did not share aloud - and the second is what my children came up with on their own.  Not all of the ideas are literal Works of Mercy, but each helps children exercise virtues as they act with love and kindness.

~1~

Pair the book If He Had Not Come - or any alternate title that brings to mind the reason for the season - with a small sign that says those exact words "the reason for the season".  

My Idea: Think about how we can live the season with the real reason for it in mind and how we might share that reason with others.  Then, act on it!

The Children's Act of Kindness: The children, then, decided to pray with the words the boy in the book prayed with and, also, to pray for the living and the dead by praying an additional prayer for babies.  

~2~

Pair Merry Christmas, Strega Nona - or any picture book that highlights holiday preparation or surprises - with a foam question mark, hand-written question mark, cleaning supplies,or cooking supplies.

My Idea:  Discuss practical ways we get ready for Christmas and come up with a way that we might help another prepare or that we might plan a big surprise for someone who could use a lift.

The Children's Act of Kindness: Ask Mom - who has been extra-tired - to get in bed and, then, make and serve her breakfast.

~3~

 
Pair the story "Rosemary's Secret Friend" in Catholic Children's Treasure Box, Book 19 - or any book that highlights conversations with God - with a paper, plush, foam, or wooden heart.

My Idea:  Chat about how we can keep Jesus in our hearts and share him with others and act on one of our ideas.

 
The Children's Act of Kindness:  The children asked to pause our day to pray in our hearts to Jesus.  They decided to include prayers of thanksgiving and petition for Daddy since it is his birthday.

~4~

 

Pair the St Andrew pages of Jesus Loved Them and Lives and Legends of the Saints - or a Bible Story about the miracle of the loaves and fish, or any picture book about St. Andrew - with the three wise men "fishing". 

My Idea: Discuss how St. Andrew left the fishing industry to become a "fisher of men" and think of a simple way we can "fish men" today.  Act on that idea.

The Children's Acts of Kindness:  The children decided we should purchase five loaves of bread and three cans of fish to donate and enjoyed placing some of our donated items in the donation bin for our local St. Vincent de Paul organization. 

They also decided to "quietly evangelize" by praying our usual Eternal Rest prayers when passing cemeteries and offering grace before a meal when we were hosting a friend in our minivan and home.

~5~
 

Pair The Littlest Angel with an empty box, a small bag, or just a small angel figurine.

My Idea:  Consider what precious little items we have to gift forward.

The Children's Act of Kindness:  Since we were not slated to go out all day, the children decided to offer extra acts of kindness and service to one another throughout the day.

~6~

 

Pair The Friendly Beasts or any other book that includes creatures in the manger giving things to Baby Jesus with bird seed (which is what is in that black bin in the picture) or some other animal feed.

 
My Idea: Discuss how each creature in the book offers the Christ Child what they can and how we might offer God's creatures what we can.  Maybe make bird or squirrel feeders or donate to an animal hospital or shelter.

The Children's Act of Kindness:  The children want to make ornaments to decorate a tree for the birds, but would like to wait until it snows to so so.

~7~

Pair The Small One with a note that says, "What (or Who) needs a good home?", with an empty box or bag, or with some outsized clothes or neglected toys.

 

My Idea:  Gift forward some toys, clothes, or other items that we do not need anymore.

The Children's Act of Kindness: The children have noticed that the turtle we are headstarting does not seem to be growing, so they decided we need to look into why and do something about it.  We opted to begin by buying a new type of food for the turtle.

~8~
 

Pair Who Is Coming to Our House with a question that asks how we could welcome an unexpected guest, with supplies to make  a welcoming display, or with supplies to make baked goods or a tea tray to welcome guests with.

My Idea: Chat about how we can prepare our home to welcome unexpected visitors.  Perhaps put something welcoming on the door or in the front entryway and ensure there are snacks and drinks to offer.  Or, work on clearing and cleaning the front rooms.

The Children's Act of Kindness: The children decided to work extra on cleaning the house in the coming week.

'Tis the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Service) Season

As you can see, we have been keeping our Works of Mercy Wise Men initiative mostly small in scale this year.  This is purposeful on my part. 

Other goals and commitments for this season prevent me from creating fancy, fun vignettes daily.  And, truly, although such vignettes would add to the merriment of the season, they are not necessary for children to enjoy and be inspired to serve. 

Likewise, just as the Wise Men made a great, long journey one small step at a time, I decided at the beginning of this season that I wanted to stress how we can journey towards Jesus one small choice at a time.  Focusing on small, simple ways that we can love and serve others on a daily - sometimes minute-to-minute basis - strengthens us.  All those small choices add up, building habits in virtue. 

Of course, magnanimous gestures and larger scale service projects hold great merit and are important to make time for.  However, small, simple, practical efforts and prayers can create a positive impact, too.

Might you add a Works of Mercy Wise Men tradition to your family's Advent or Epiphany journey, getting closer to Jesus one small step at a time, too?

Focus on Virtues {A Review and Discount Code}

Although it is anything but virtuous to covet, I admit, I have been intermittently coveting others' We Choose Virtues products for some years now.  So, I was delighted last month when I was blessed with the opportunity to receive the We Choose Virtues NirV Parenting Cards ($38.49) and the WCV Download Bundle ($7.99).

These character education tools aim to make virtue training in children, ages 3-11, easy, and that's just what I aim for as I seek to create and maintain a happy homeschool home.

What are the Parenting Cards?


The Parenting Cards are full-color, heavy-cardstock, 8.5″ x 5.5″ cards designed to help parents easily teach their 3-11 year old children about 12 important virtues:

• I am Attentive
• I am Content
• I am Diligent
• I am Forgiving
• I am Gentle
• I am Honest
• I am Helpful
• I am Kind
• I am Obedient
• I am Patient
• I am Perseverant
• I am Self-Controlled

The front of each card contains the name of the virtue, a catchy phrase to bring the meaning of the virtue home, the antonyms of the virtue, a Bible verse (either Old Testament KJV or Old or New Testement NIrV), and the featured “Virtue Kid”.

The backside of each card contains a family challenge for the day based upon the virtue, a quote about the virtue, suggestions for “What to Say After ‘I’m sorry’”, teaching tips for activities and discussions and a short story about a "Virtue Kid".

These cards also come in Spanish.

 
How about the Download Bundle?

The Download Bundle includes:

•  a Family Character Assessment (which also comes as a free download with the Parenting Cards.)  This handy assessment is easy to do and helps families discover which virtues they might be strongest and weakest in.

• a 16-page Kids of VirtueVille Coloring Book PDF which includes a page for each Virtue Kid as well as a few fun pages.

• a Teacher's Handbook PDF which is geared towards classroom teachers, but helpful to page through.

• Butterfly Awards for Kids, for families who wish to recognize the transformation seen in children as they choose to exercise virtues.

•  a 13-page Sing Along song lyrics books with a catchy tune for each virtue.

How have we been using We Choose Virtue?

Shortly after receiving our We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards and Download Kit, I asked my husband to complete the Character Assessment for himself while I did the same for myself and, then, helped each of our children read through and complete the assessment.

We then worked together to find our average scores in order to discover what virtue our family is the weakest in.  I completely expected it to be self-control, obedience or gentleness.  To my surprise it was being content.

So, we immediately took out the content card, read through it together and, then, did a little exercise where I gave each child a random object and challenged them to see how long they could remain happily engaged by it.

It was rather amusing to see just how long they managed to enjoy such things as popsicle sticks and elastics.  In fact, the activity evidenced creativity as well as contentment.

In subsequent days and weeks, we used the cards in a variety of ways.  Our oldest, who has recently become comfortable with silent reading enjoyed simply taking our stack of them and reading through it.  

Together, when the children and I felt ourselves falling to vice, we sometimes grabbed the cards and used them to help us find and refocus on an opposite virtue.  And, at other times, we met together to chat about what virtues we'd been displaying and which we individually wanted to focus on to a greater degree on any given day.  We then reviewed the cards for these virtues and posted them on our front door.

We also often referred back to the cards when living life outside the house.  For example, after discussing the perseverance card, the children and I found ourselves noticing examples of perseverance in work and play and encouraging one another to persevere in all things.

Just the other day, in fact, when the children were building peninsulas, capes and islands at the pond, they wondered if they could create a new island in the water.  I suggested it would be difficult to do so, but they worked together, encouraging each other to stick to their self-directed mission, persevering until, at last, they succeeded!

On another occasion, Nina demonstrated her kindness by deciding to bury a dead toad she had found.  Luke and Jack jumped in with helpfulness.  Then, all of my children and two friends exercised a host of virtues while teaming up to build their own child-led animal cemetery.
 

Of course, there were also non-play-based occasions of virtue exercise, too.  Those moments just were not as fun to photograph!

What was fun for the kids was doing some of the coloring pages form the downloadable materials.

I also found the sing along songs catchy.

We did not, however, use the Butterfly Awards since I am increasingly refraining from reward-based parenting.

Would I recommend We Choose Virtues?

My children have enjoyed using the program and we will continue to reference and expand upon the virtues presented in the Parenting Cards and downloadable materials.   

That said, I do find the price tag for the cards a bit high.  While we enjoy the product, I am not sure I would have been happy paying $30+ for a set of heavy cardstock virtue cards no matter how cute and helpful they are.   

So, while, yes, I encourage anyone to look into We Choose Virtues, I also suggest weighing budgetary constraints with product descriptions.  For, most definitely, the cards are well-made and engaging.  If there's money in your budget, they can certainly make a worthwhile addition to character training and development.
 
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Visit We Choose Virtues on Pinterest, at the  We Choose Virtues blog,  or on Facebook.

Learn about the wide variety of We Choose Virtue products, including those aimed at youth, ages 12-18:

• Youth Virtue Journal (Physical Journal) 
• Mentor Handbook (PDF download)
• Mentor Meeting Report Form (PDF Download)
• Youth Character Assessments (PDF Download)
• Youth List of Memory Verses and Bible Heroes (PDF Download) 

Read what other homeschoolers thought about all these products at Schoolhouse Review Crew.
 


Enjoy a Discount! 

THIS MONTH*: Use Promo Code BIG50 for 50% off a set of 12 11x17 Kids of VirtueVille posters.

JUNE-AUGUST*:  Use Promo Code BTS20 for 20% off anything in the We Choose Virtues store, including any kit.

* Only one code may be used per order.