Parents' Guide to

Iesodo: Believe

By Grace Montgomery, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Religious cartoon is strong on role models, weak on plot.

Movie NR 2013 50 minutes
Iesodo: Believe Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • Iesodo: Believe Movie: Scene #1
  • Iesodo: Believe Movie: Scene #2

Community Reviews

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age 3+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Ybbag1
Ybbag1 Adult
October 5, 2019
age 2+

Beautiful way to relate the Bible to children

Iesodo is a cartoon that uses birds to replay the New Testament for children. The Hopi birds represent the Pharases and Iesodo is Jesus. The little bird Rocky I believe represents Peter and Maggie represents Mary (sister of Martha) I believe. The stories are modified to make more sense to Jesus but anyone who has read the gospels will recognize the stories. The songs attract my two year old and my four year old can follow along easily with the plots, which are taken straight out of the bible but as I said , modified to fit the characters as birds and what situations a bird might find themself in. (ex. The good Samaritan was a pigeon versus a 'samaritan', the bird hurt was hurt by bees in a hive versus a robber and a Hopi bird came by and didn't help versus a pharasee.) This show is calm, quiet, pleasant and an excellent way to wind down an evening for my little one and gives us excellent opportunity to discuss important bible passages at her age level.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Gracemercy
Gracemercy Adult
June 13, 2019
age 4+

Iesodo is a wonderful show

My 4year old girl loves watching Iesodo. It has wonderful music, sophisticated graphics and cleverly mirrors the gospel accounts.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In "The Gathering," a beautiful white dove named Iesodo (which means "the way of Jesus") has started gathering together all the birds in the Holy Land so they can hear his message of hope. Rocky, a Bulbul bird, relates how each of the birds in the land heard about Iesodo and how Iesodo helped them in some way. Meanwhile, the Hoopoe birds worry that Iesodo is trying to change their traditions and to convince the birds they shouldn't follow him. In "Believing Is Seeing," Iesodo helps Luke, a blind finch, fulfill his dream to fly and helps him regain his sight, much to the amazement of the other birds.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

IESODO: BELIEVE is a very clean, simple film that most likely will appeal to parents who are looking for a wholesome way to teach their children about the Christian faith. Unfortunately, it probably won't appeal to many others. The film is pretty saccharine and heavy-handed, and the characters all are one-dimensional. There's also not much of a plot, especially in "The Gathering," beyond simply introducing Iesodo and saying how amazing he is.

Very young children may simply enjoy the different bird characters, but older preschoolers may get bored. Parents looking for an enjoyable biblical tale for young children would be better off looking to the VeggieTales TV show and movies, which present Christian-themed stories in a much more engaging format.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the Hoopoes. Why do you think the Hoopoes didn't like Iesodo? Why were they threatened by his message?

  • Do you think non-Christian viewers will still enjoy the film? What messages does it share that can apply to everyone?

  • The film shows a lot of types of birds. Which one is your favorite? Why is it your favorite?

Movie Details

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