VeggieTales: Noah's Ark

Possibly due to DreamWorks's acquisition of the series, this latest addition to the long-running Christian children's show features spiffier animation and newly-colorful eyes for the anthropomorphic vegetables who are given to punning (“We should address the elephant in the room….Hey Roger!” to a nearby pachyderm). Focusing on Psalm 33:4 (“For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.”), this take on the story of Noah's ark focuses on newlywed Shem (voiced by Wayne Brady), who is distressed by his father Noah's (a mustachioed grape) decision to build an ark right on the fresh-from-the-honeymoon couple's home site. Even though Pa knows it sounds weird to construct a ship to protect the family and animals from a flood, it's God's plan. Shem is discouraged even after the big boat is complete, but following some famous last words—“It's not gonna rain”—he begins to see the light, so to speak. The dramatic initial storm and flooding sequence may be a little scary for younger viewers, as the upside-down orange slice ark is buffeted around, but kids will enjoy the 40 days and nights of family and animal shenanigans and songs. Also featuring the voice of Christian pop singer Jaci Velasquez, this spruced-up next-generation entry in the series is recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)