Life’s Building Blocks
December 12, 2008 by Kailani
Filed under books, giveaways, kids, product reviews
Life’s Building Blocks is the brainchild of a couple of very innovative parents, Vikash and Juli Sanyal, who having spent years coaching young kids and observing interaction between elementary age children at school and at play felt passionately that there was a need for character building products that would be fun for kids and easy for parents to use. So with the help of character and game development experts, they developed an award-winning line of character education tools that every parent wants, and every child needs.
Introducing . . . Zaki the Chameleon, a lovable, talking, plush character. Research 
shows that children respond to other children so the company has placed Zaki in the midst of the Spruce Street Six — a group of best friends in the third grade. Through actual storytelling, chapter books and activity books, the close friends who make up The Spruce Street Six are faced with many of the common ethical challenges that confront every child. Each adventure highlights the strengths, weaknesses and virtues of each of the children that are highlighted. The Spruce Street Six share a bond that is extended to children, helping them to learn how to make better ethical decisions.
We received Zaki as well as the chapter & activity books to review. At first we were a little surprised since he doesn’t look like the normal plushies we have in our home – cutesy and pretty. However, I think his unique look and colors is what gives him character. My girls loved him and they enjoyed listening to his stories and watching his fins change colors. We love this because it puts emphasis on the important moral building parts of the story.
The chapter books were great because Girlie Girl is at that age where she’s just starting to read independently. I had to help her with a few words but she was able to do most of it herself. She’s getting to be such a big girl. *sigh*
As for the activity books, these were great for when Girlie Girl was on break from school. It was a fun way to reinforce Zaki’s stories and to learn the right response to various ethical situations. My daughter loves games and puzzles so this was perfect for her. She was having so much fun that she didn’t even realize that she was also learning in the process.
Zaki turned out to be a welcome addition to our plushie family and taught the girls so many important values. We’re so glad he’s here!
You can get your own products from Life’s Building Blocks with 20% off your purchase of $15 or more. Just use the code island20 when checking out. Deadline is Dec 31st.
Win it!
Life’s Building Blocks has generously donated the winner’s choice of either Zaki the Chameleon, the chapter books, or the activitiy books to one lucky winner. To enter:
Stop by Life’s Building Blocks before midnight, Dec 20th and check out all their cool products.- Then come back and mention which one is your favorite. That’s it!
- A random winner will be selected and notified on Dec 21st.
- The winner will have 3 days to claim their prize.
For extra entries, you may do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra credit that you’re doing.
- Subscribe to my feed.
- Blog about this giveaway with a link back here and to Life’s Building Blocks.
- Place my button in your sidebar.
This giveaway is open to US addresses only.
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Owner of An Island Life and Family Review Network. Wife, mother, and flight attendant . . . living a blessed life in Hawaii. |
I love the Zaki plush doll. What a great concept. Thanks.
The What Would Zaki Do?” Board Game looks fun and educational!
smchester at gmail dot com
I like Honest Jake and The Big Mistake.
Having learned lessons from my younger sister’s exploits, helped me growing up. I didn’t want to repeat her mistakes, but my parents came up with clever ways to deal with them and her. These chapter books will help the girls learn a lesson without having to learn it first themselves. I bet these books bring great guidance to many children. Thanks for the giveaway.
my daughter would like the spider cave chapter book as soon as she starts reading at that level
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I like What Would Zaki Do? Board Game.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I am subscribed.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I like Storytelling Zaki
I have your button.
My three yr old grandson would love Zaki,wow how cute an I think he would learn a lot from something like this,thanks
I am a subscriber
I like the Zaki best, what a wonderful interactive way for young kids to learn important lessons
I like Zaki as well. Wonderful program. Thanks
The talking zaki plush doll — I love that on their site they have him in a profile shot as well as a facing forward shot. Like mugshots, LOL.
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I just love Storytelling Zaki†the talking plush doll. He is just so cute! I know my grandkids would love him. Thank you so very much!
I’m a subscriber.
I really like the activity books!
My son would love the chapter books! Thanks for the chance!
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i like the honesty activity book.
I like their Character Development Program
the What would zaki do? game looks fabulous
Im also a subscriber!!
I like the Storytelling Zaki.
I just subscribed by email and accepted the confirmation message.
I like the Worst Day chapter book. We would love to win.
What would Zaki Do Board Game would be great for family game night.
The board game “What Would Zaki Do?†is my favorite
I am a subscriber
I like a lot of their products but my favorite is Zaki, the storytelling doll.
Virtue Specific Activity Books
The chapter books are my favorite. Thanks for the chance to win.
I think the “What would Zaki do board game is my favorite”
I really like the Life’s Building Blocks Character Development Program. Great product.
The What Would Zaki Do board game looks like tons of fun!
Virtue Specific Activity Book
I like the board game What Would Zaki do — that would be fun!
My favorite item is the Storytelling Zaki. The Zaki board game also sounds great.
Zaki the Chameleon
I’m a subscriber.
The Kindness Activity Book
I like the character development program
I’m a subscriber
I like the What Would Zaki Do game!
I’m subscribed to your RSS feed.
Jessica the Brave “Spider Cave,” appealed to me! I’d love the Chapter Books!
I love Zaki and I think the board game looks really neat!
I’m a subscriber. Thank you!!!
” What Would Zaki Do?” Board Game-