BOZ BUZZ eNewsletter

Many Reasons to Be Thankful!

Exclaim Co-Founders Grateful for Opportunity to Impact Families

In 2003, Dennis DeShazer and Jon Green co-founded Exclaim Entertainment with a commitment to developing exceptional programming inspired by God's love for us all. In March of this year, their first program was released: BOZ, The Green Bear Next Door™. In all, 2006 has seen the release of four BOZ DVDs:

Thank You God For…Friends and Helpers
Thank You God For…Shapes and Colors
Thank You God For…Bananas, Bubbles, and Busy Bodies
Thank You God For…Adventures in Imagination

What’s New Online?

Each month, we like to point you to all of the new activities that are waiting to be discovered at BozTheBear.com. But this month, we're pointing you to something new from Exclaim Entertainment, The Very First Noel. This exciting new DVD tells the story of Christmas from the perspective of the Wise Men and features Andy Griffith as the narrator. To find out more, go to www.VeryFirstNoel.com.

While there, you will be able to:

Watch the first three minutes of the program

View the Art Gallery of images from the animated special

Meet the Characters

Learn all about the creators of the program and their seven-year adventure to get it made

Even listen to a taste of the great soundtrack featuring the Brothers Cazimero

You can purchase The Very First Noel online or you can find it at your local retailer. We think this will become a new family Christmas tradition for many years to come.

With Thanksgiving just days away, The BOZ Buzz talked with Jon and Dennis about their creative projects … and their thankfulness.

BOZ Buzz: Looking back at 2006, what are some of your thoughts about the exciting year that Exclaim has had?

Dennis DeShazer: It's been a truly special year for us. We love being able to provide families with meaningful programming that combines faith, education, family, and fun. We believe preschoolers and parents alike are discovering a new friend in BOZ.

Jon Green: Between releasing four BOZ DVDs, four BOZ books, and The Very First Noel, it's been a tremendously rewarding year for Exclaim Entertainment. We've heard from countless families about how much they and their preschoolers love BOZ.

BOZ Buzz: Tell us about Exclaim's newest DVD release, The Very First Noel.

Dennis: The Very First Noel is an animated retelling of the Christmas story from the perspective of Melchior, one of the three Wise Men. Andy Griffith is the voice of Melchior, the show's narrator. We think this DVD has the charm and flavor of the old Christmas TV specials that many of us loved so much as kids.

BOZ Buzz: What lies ahead for BOZ and Exclaim?

Jon: We have more BOZ DVDs in different stages of production targeted for release in 2007. We also have a number of BOZ books and a BOZ audio CD that will also be available next year.

Dennis: And, we're working on a number of other projects that we look forward to introducing down the line.

BOZ Buzz: What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Jon: As the title of every BOZ DVD says, "Thank You God For. …" I'm grateful that we've been given this amazing opportunity to work on projects that make a positive impact on families. We — along with our talented team — feel truly blessed.

Dennis: I couldn't have said it better!

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Parenting Can Be Fun and Games

As parents of preschoolers, we know there is no shortage of books and resources out there. With all of that advice and instruction available, we can forget a basic tenet of parenting: have fun! So, in the midst of trying this training technique or that teaching strategy, remember these fun tips:

Play Games — Whether it's Candy Land, checkers, or hide-and-seek, our children just want to spend some fun time with us. Take the time to play a game, but don't let the game be the main focus. Your time with your child is your main focus.
Have Spontaneous Fun — Stare up at the sky with your child and imagine the shapes you see. Count the colors you can find in your backyard or a local park. Splash water at each other from your kitchen sink. These little jolts of fun help set a great tone in your home.
Chit-Chat at Night — While tucking in your children, ask them a question about their day or their dreams. Listen closely. Kiss them three, four, or fifty times before leaving them each night. Help them to look forward to being tucked in.

There are plenty of times for formal instruction and training. Don't let those times squeeze all of the fun out of your home. In the end, parenting can be fun and games.

Check out next month's BOZ Buzz for another great FamilyLife parenting tip. For more parenting insights, go to FamilyLife’s website.

Being Thankful This Thanksgiving

More than 300 years ago, our forefathers stood on the shores of this new world and gave thanks to God for His protection and provision throughout the course of the previous year. This celebration of thankfulness was the first Thanksgiving.

You can help your children better understand the history and meaning of Thanksgiving and the joy in being truly thankful this holiday season with these fun family ideas:

Check out a few books about the Pilgrims from your local library and read them on Thanksgiving Day
Attend a Thanksgiving church service
Watch An American Tail and then talk about what it would be like to be an immigrant from a foreign country
Take turns sharing what you are thankful for
Volunteer at a local church or soup kitchen with your older preschoolers and serve those that are less fortunate than you. If this is impractical because of company or the age of your children, contact the organization beforehand and ask what donations they can use for Thanksgiving and include your children in the shopping and delivering of these needed items.
Invite those that have nowhere to go or family to be with to have Thanksgiving dinner with your family
Pray as a family, thanking God for all He has done for you over this past year

Remember, it's not Thanksgiving if we don't thank God!

For more fun ideas be sure to visit the MOPS International website.