Monday, November 29, 2010

Jim Weiss CD Review and Giveaway!!


Back in October I wrote about the incredible storytime we were able to attend by master storyteller, Jim Weiss.  After his performance I purchased his recording of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and The Story of Rome.  We were studying Rome at the time and thought this CD would be the perfect addition to our studies.  We immediately started listening to it in the car and my daughter loved it!

  
Since that day, I have had the opportunity to receive four more of his CDs to listen to and review.  But before I tell you about those, let me tell you a little about Jim Weiss.

"Jim Weiss has been a storyteller for over 25 years. In June, 1989, Jim decided to do something more with the craft that he had formerly practiced solely for pleasure. He and his wife, Randy, formed a production company, Greathall Productions, and have thus far produced forty four (44) storytelling recordings with enticing titles from classical literature, such as Greek Myths, King Arthur and Sherlock Holmes." 

His recordings are available for ages 3 and up (from Animal Tales to the Classic stories), ages 5 and up (from King Arthur and His Knights to Greek Myths), ages 7 and up (from Masters of the Renaissance to Romeo and Juliet), and ages 12 and up.  

His newest title is Gone West: Bold Adventures of American Explorers and Pioneers.  I know we will be using this one next year in our American History studies!  

Jim travels throughout the United States giving performances at schools, libraries, and events, which is how we saw him, through a homeschool group.  On his website, you can book a performance or view his travel calendar.  

Our daughter's favorites so far have been Galileo and the Stargazers, followed closely by A Christmas Carol.  She has listened to both more than twice.  

We all enjoyed listening to Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America in the car on the way back from a trip.  It was a great way to hear the story of Abraham Lincoln without having to even pick up a book.  Even my husband and I learned some things from the story.   

My Thoughts:  Jim Weiss did an excellent job in his live performance for the kids and the audio CDs have been beyond our expectation.  They bring new life to timeless stories and have been very entertaining and educational.  I think these are a great resource to use along any curriculum.  

On their website you can view all the titles available in either a timeline or by subject.  I think these are both great tools to use to find what is best for your family.

Thoughts of a 7 Year Old: The Jim Weiss audio CDs Galileo and the Stargazers, (including Archimedes and the Golden Crown,) Gone West, A Christmas Carol (including The Gift of the Magi and Dick Spindler's Family Christmas,) Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America and Julius Caesar and the Power of Rome are fascinating, full of surprises, and extremely hilarious - there's no end to these stories when you listen to them countless times again! 

P.S. I swear my daughter wrote that paragraph above...I think she can take over for me! 

Find Out More:  You can find out more about Jim Weiss and his recordings at his website Greathall ProductionsAll Greathall Storytelling titles are available on CD for $13.45.  The Greathall Boutique includes unabridged readings (including their newest release, Carry On Mr. Bowditch) and read-along book/CD sets at various prices.  They also offer gift certificates, which is a great gift idea for any holiday!

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So, here's how to enter to win a Greathall Storytelling Title by Jim Weiss ($13.45 value)!  For each comment, you will get one (1) entry.  Only the first comment is mandatory, all others will just increase your chance at winning.

1. Visit the Greathall Productions website and let me know what CD you think your family would like best.  This is a mandatory entry! Leave me a comment and this will give you 1 entry.

Additional Entries:

2. Subscribe to the Greathall Monthly e-NewsletterCome back here and leave me a comment telling me you did this and that will give you another entry.

3. Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect (on the right side of my page) or let me know you are already a follower. Leave me a comment and this will give you another entry.

4. Follow my blog using Networked Blogs (on the right side of my page) or let me know you are already a follower. Leave me a comment and this will give you another entry.

5. Subscribe to my blog by email though feedburner HERE. Leave me a comment and this will give you another entry.

6. Like my Facebook page HERE.  Leave me a comment and this will give you another entry.

7. Follow me on Twitter @OurHSReviews.  Leave me a comment and this will give you another entry.

8. Share this giveaway on your blog or twitter. Leave me a comment sharing your link and this will give you two (2) entries (leave separate comments for both).

9. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page. Leave me a comment and this will give you another entry.  

**Remember to please leave a separate comment for each entry**

One random winner will be selected using Random.org on Monday, December 6, 2010. (U.S. Entries only.) If I am unable to reach the winner within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected. Your entry is only valid if you include a way for me to contact you (either an email address in your comment or on your profile). 

Disclosure: This product was given to Our Homeschool Reviews for free for review purposes, and I do not have to return the product to the vendor. I have received no compensation from it and all opinions and experiences within this review are my own.


56 comments:

Tristan

I have been eyeing King Arthur and His Knights for my children.

Tristan

I subscribed to their newsletter.

Tristan

I follow your blog with GFC too!

the Mcclanahan 7

I think right now my kids would like Egyptian Treasures: Mummies and Myths.

the Mcclanahan 7

I am a GFC follower.

Diana D

The Story of the World would sure be nice as well a Sherlock Holmes. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

Diana D

I am also an email subscriber. Thanks


dianad8008 AT gmail DOT com

Unknown

How can one choose??? Maybe if I win you can surprise me between these two.... Gone West: Bold Adventures of American Explorers and Pioneers • OR Thomas Jefferson's America •

Kristy

Unknown

I subscribed to Jim Weiss' email newsletter...

Unknown

I follow your blog.

Unknown

I follow on FB.

Unknown

I "like" you.

Unknown

Shared giveaway on FB.

Anonymous

I think Galileo and the Stargazers would fit great in our curriculm.
Rosa
fus_srj2003atyahoo.com

April

Thank you for introducing me to his site - wow! I really like the looks of a lot but would probably pick Abraham Lincoln and the Heart of America because we will be starting American History next year.

email:
kuenzifamily@tds.net

April

I am a subscriber!

email:
kuenzifamily@tds.net

Kim

Oh, I just saw a new one on the site, and it sounds great: Gone West: Bold Adventures of American Explorers and Pioneers.
:-)

Kim

Commenting for #2.
:-)

Kim

Commenting for #3.
:-)

Kim

Just subscribed by email.

Kim

Commenting for #6.
:-)

Kim

Going to share on FB now.
:-)

asliceofsmithlife

Since we are studying Roman History this year I would love to win Julius Caesar and the Story of Rome! I have a few copies of Weiss' CDs that we love and would love to add another one to our collection :)

asliceofsmithlife

I just signed up for Greathall's e-newsletter!

asliceofsmithlife

I already follow your blog through Google Friend Connect.

asliceofsmithlife

I already follow your blog through Networked Blogs too. :)

asliceofsmithlife

I Like your Facebook page for awhile now as "Tracy Bua Smith" :)

Unknown

I would love the Celtic Treasures or Greek Myths. There are so many wonderful choices.

Unknown

I posted on my fb page.

Unknown

I am now following you through goggle connect.

Unknown

I signed up for your newsletter.

Unknown

I like your facebook page.

Michelle Smith

I see several I think we would love (we do already own one or two of his CDs), but I think we would really like "A Treasury Of Wisdom: Stories Of Hope And Inspiration."

Thanks for offering this giveaway! :)

Michelle Smith

I subscribed to the Greathall newsletter.

Michelle Smith

I follow via Google Friend.

Jen U.

Our family would enjoy the Three Muskateers and Robin Hood Cd.
~Jen Unsell
unsells{at}yahoo{dot}com

Jen U.

I follow on google friend connect.
~Jen Unsell
unsells{at}yahoo{dot}com

Jen U.

I follow on networked blogs.
~Jen Unsell
unsells{at}yahoo{dot}com

Tonya @ The Traveling Praters

We love listening to Jim Weiss! The Shakespeare CD was our favorite and a great introduction to the Bard- but our curriculum recommends Egyptian Treasures: Mummies and Myths so I'd love to add that title to my homeschool resources.

Modest Mama

We would love to have Sherlock Holmes for children. We love Jim Weiss!

berrypatch

We love these audios! I'm really not sure I could narrow it down to one. Although, we already own close to a dozen! Masters of the Renaissance would fit in well with our current art study so maybe that one. ;-)

berrypatch

I already subscribe to the Greathall Newsletter. ;-)

berrypatch

I'm a blog follower.

berrypatch

I just "liked" your FB page.

berrypatch

I follow you on Twitter.

berrypatch

Just posted this to Twitter. Here's a link to my profile. It should be the first thing listed. ;-)
http://twitter.com/#!/BerryPatch29

Julieanne

I'd like Masters of the Renaissance because that's the time period we are studying right now. Thanks!

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I'm a subscriber to the GreatHall monthly newsletter.

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I'm now a follower on GFC.

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I'm now an email subscriber to your blog.

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Julieanne

I "like" your Facebook page.

Julieanne
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com

Penny

We own the Tall Tales CD. :) I'd like to have • A Collection of Just So Stories • or Tell Me A Story! A Treasury of Classics • or one of the other CDs geared toward younger listeners for my child on the autism spectrum who has auditory processing challenges.

Penny

I subscribed to the Greathall newsletter.

Erin S

I think we'd enjoy the Gone West Story
erinnsluka@gmail.com

Anonymous

any of all would be great.

Anonymous

Just thought I would comment and say great theme, did you code it for yourself? Really looks excellent!.

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