Marriage Confessions,  Reviews

Legos + Books = Duh!

July 11, 2012 /

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When I got the opportunity to review a LEGO’s product, I jumped at the chance because LEGO’s rank supreme around my house these days. Gracie likes them because they are bold, bright colors and big enough to chew on (we have a couple different sets of the DUPLO size for my two tykes). Bean likes them because he is able to really build with them now. Last weekend we built a jail that quickly turned into a zoo. As most jails do, I supposed. And I like them because they inspire creativity in my kids. Chris heard this clip on NPR one time about how the greatest, most intellectually challenging toy your can buy your child is a set of blocks (LEGOs, in our case). They are totally driven by the child, with no sounds or motion or action that is created by pushing a button. And I really love that about LEGOs. When I found out the Legos product I’d be reviewing combined LEGOs with books, I squealed. Books! Legos! The intellectual capacity of my children will runneth over!!! (Gracie EATS LEGOs and books, so take “intellectual capacity” with a grain of salt…) Lego has come out with a new product that, quite frankly, makes me go, “Duh!” In the new Read and Build building sets, you get a board book and a set of Legos that has every piece you need to build major parts of the story book. Brilliant!

Especially for moms like me who’s son often says, “Mommy, make the zoo that’s on the picture,” and who has no clue how to even begin. A book with a step-by-step building process is gold.† More than gold, though, the book is actually a great little gem all on it’s own. It’s not like one of those flimsy little books they add to toys as a way to market the toy as “educational.” This book could actually be sold on it’s own, independent of the building set. Both Bean and Gracie love to read, and they ate this one right up.

As with LEGOs in general, I think it’s the bright colors and simplicity that gets their attention. I like that the story is simple and uses small words. It’s the perfect level for a preschooler, like Bean, who is beginning to work on sight words.†IMG_3940

This particular Read & Build†book, “Let’s Go! Vroom!” takes you through a story about an airplane pilot and a race car driver. As it tells you the story, it shows you how to build the airplane and the race car. I read the story to both my kids, and Bean worked on putting together the pieces. He did it 95% on his own the first time, and then he could do it himself after that. We’ve been reading it for a couple days now, and I am amazed that he hasn’t lost any of the pieces and at how fast he can construct the plane and car now. IMG_3928 IMG_3942

These sets are fun and educational, which makes them perfect for toddlers and preschoolers (especially preschoolers). I really like these, too, as birthday presents for other kids Bean’s age. They aren’t expensive and are guaranteed to please both the parents and the kids.

To promote this fun new product, BlogHer is offering a $100 LEGO gift card sweepstakes to a lucky blog reader! To be entered to win, leave a comment below telling me how you think LEGO DUPLO “Read & Build” will help your child learn to read. Good luck!

Visit LEGO.com†to see other Read & Build sets and order online.†Check out†BlogHer.com†to find other reviews and more ways you can enter to win.

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available†here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/11 ñ 8/19/12.

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