Not many people can claim "talking vegetables" as the fruit of their life's labor, but Phil Vischer can! Starting with no money, no connections, and no clue what he was getting himself into, he doggedly pursued his dream to use his love of technology and slightly warped sense of humor to change the world for Christ. But instead of becoming the next Walt Disney, Phil Vischer found himself in bankruptcy court, watching everything fall apart. Follow his remarkable journey from VeggieTales creator to bankrupt dreamer as he shares his story of trial and ultimate triumph. It may change everything you believe about dreaming big, falling hard and getting back up again.

Recommend Me, Myself & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables to Your Friends

Larry. Bob. Archibald. These Veggie Tales stars are the most famous vegetables you’ll ever eat. Oops, meet. Their antics are known around the world. But so much of the Veggie Tale story hasn’t been told. In Me, Myself, and Bob, Phil Vischer, founder of Big Idea and creator of Veggie Tales, gives a behind-the-scenes look at his not-so-funny journey with the loveable veggies. From famed creator to bankrupt dreamer, Vischer shares his story of trial and ultimate triumph as God inspired him with one big idea after another.

Have you ever been tempted to start your own business? First read this cautionary tale, especially if you think your ideas come from God. Vischer, a pioneer in computerized animation and creator of Veggie Tales, proves that a pathetically skinny, shy techno-geek can be hilarious even when describing his headlong plunge into bankruptcy. In 1989, "with an unflappable `How hard could it be' attitude," the 22-year-old entrepreneur launched his dream of creating high-quality Christian entertainment by founding the company that would become Big Idea Productions. Thirteen stressful years later, he was featured in a People magazine cover story "small town kid kicked out of Bible college and down to his last ten bucks creates talking vegetables and hits it big, selling 40 million videos!" shortly before firing half his staff in an unsuccessful attempt to avert disaster. While Vischer accepts the blame for the collapse ("my strengths built Big Idea, and my weaknesses brought it down"), he also details various unnamed executives' incompetence. One question haunted him: if he was doing God's work, why didn't God rescue his company? Concluding his story of spiritual inspiration and heartbreak, Vischer draws lessons from his experience for anyone who has ever lost a dream. (Jan. 9) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

With a flair for electronics, a wild imagination salted heavily with wit, and a talent for animation, a young Iowan boy broke out of the mold and ended up creating those very popular VeggieTales. How does your average 1960’s Christian boy with divorced parents become so famous? As told by that boy himself, Phil Vischer, Me, Myself & Bob is by turns hilarious, disquieting, heart-breaking, intriguing, and comforting. And then he faces bankruptcy. It isn’t only humor and talent that get him through it all. Along the way Vischer shares the trust and obey lessons he learned from his Lord. Vignettes clustered through this story provide appeal, including many of our now-famous animators and performers.

Me, Myself & Bob is an interesting—yet somewhat improbable even while remaining believable—autobiography. The average, middle-class Christian will identify with the pitfalls, problems, mess-ups, and godly rescues that appear on these pages. Those readers who have found themselves not quite in step with the common drummer will be happy to meet another out-of-stepper. Everyone will enjoy the humor. The account of bankruptcy proceedings capably catches the frailty of average people, and their relief as they find they can trust God. Vischer describes himself as a Bible college dropout looking for his father and longing to make an impact. In his closing chapters, Vischer shares this insight, “Let it go. Give it up. Let it die. Let Christ shred your dragon skin and lead you into a whole new life” (p. 251). Read this book for fun, read it to learn more about living the daily Christian life, but most of all read it to see how one man is getting rid of his dragon skin. – Donna Eggett, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

3 of 7 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)

Reviewed by karen (glenview, IL), December 01, 2007

This story was not at all what I expected and at the same time, so much more. Having no knowledge of what transpired at BigIdea, and imagining it humming along nicely, I am still wrestling with the emotion of it all, even though it is clear God allowed it for greater purposes- doesn't He always? I find myself wishing I could re-read it and get the story we would all hope for, but then I remind myself that Mr. Vischer ended up with something far better than his dream.

The additional book material on Mr. Vischer's website is actually just a longer version of the chapter on the technology involved in CGI animation which the publisher wanted to edit out because it was too indepth for the average reader. And since I am not an industry insider, I am not able to identify un-named people in the book merely by the mention of who they worked for before landing at BigIdea.

As I read comments on Mr. Vischer's website from so many who have been through similar trials and losses and who have been encouraged by the book, the verse that came to mind is 2 Corinthians 1:3-4> "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Our troubles and struggles may not be the same as those of Phil Vischer or those who were part of BigIdea, but we all have them in some shape or form, and there is comfort in reading about how God is at work in the midst of them, even when they challenge us to the core of our being. God is ALWAYS bigger than the boogeyman!

Reviewed by Barbara Hogue (Grand Saline, TX), September 06, 2007

I am getting into the book, it is a very informative book so far. It tells of the technology behind the making of Bob and Larry. I will keep reading to find out more, it is a very enjoyable book and I would gladly refer this book to everyone.

Reviewed by veggiefan (Ashland, MA), May 31, 2007

I really enjoyed reading the book. To hear that there was a redeeming end to such a sad story was heartwarming. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to hear about Phil's experience in building and losing his dream. And how he learned a valuable lesson about what is important through it all.

View all 7 Reviews

Write a review of Me, Myself & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables

I'm the author/artist and I want to review Me, Myself & Bob: A True Story About Dreams, God, and Talking Vegetables.