Saturday, October 25, 2008

Sikulu & Harambe Review and Giveaway!


Kindness to others-treating others the way we'd like to be treated... It's something we teach our children when they are young, hoping they will learn from our own actions and also from their own interactions with others.
One very important way to teach them about kindness is to read them the story of Sikulu & Harambe, which is based on an ethnic folk tale and written by Kunle Oguneye.
We loved the wonderful tale of Sikulu the Spider and his friend, Harambe the Hippo as they provided a perfect example of kindness to others when they rescued the village woman's clothing from the fast moving Zambezi River. After asking other animals to help her to rescue her clothes from being washed down the river, the poor old woman asked Sikulu and Harambe to assist her. The other animals were too busy, too preoccupied with their own lives to take the time to stop and be kind. I know I have been guilty myself of this-too busy to stop and help a coworker who maybe needed an extra hand, to help the harried mom or elderly person if their grocery bag broke and spilled the contents all over the parking lot, so many scenarios that I've witnessed but never really taken the time to go the extra mile and help out.
This story made me think about things in a new perspective. In helping others, and being kind-I can actually feel good myself. Plus, in doing so you are setting an example for others, including your children if they are with you. Deja loved the colorful illustrations and together we were able to learn about a different culture, learning new words along the way. Sikulu also showed his bravery, by forgetting about his fear of water and the river and pitching in with Harambe to help someone else- because to him, that was more important than his own fear. This book is first in a series of adventures depicting both Sikulu and Harambe in different parts of Africa. With more wonderful folk tales, beautiful illustrations, and new words and cultures I will be sure to follow their adventures and hope you will too!
Would you like to win a copy of this wonderful book for your family? The sponsor has generously offered to provide one winner with an autographed copy of the book and either a Sikulu the Spider or Harambe the Hippo stuffed toy!
The giveaway begins today and will end on Friday, October 31st and 11:59 pm. We will choose a lucky winner and post the winner's name sometime on Saturday November 1st. Prize will be sent directly from the sponsor, so I need to restrict to US only for this giveaway.
In order to win, head on over to the website http://www.sikulu.com/ and tell me in a comment what you liked-whether it be the games, the story itself, a fact about the author-whatever you enjoyed most when you visited the site. For a second entry, post a link to this giveaway on your own blog and then come back and leave a second comment with a link showing me that you did it and I will enter your name a second time. PLEASE-make sure that you leave an email address with your comment if you are not a blogger or don't have an email listed in your profile, so I can reach you! If you don't win, you can always buy one of the books or one of the cute stuffed animal toys here: http://www.sikulu.com/shopping.php With the holidays coming up soon, they'd make a cute gift!

82 comments:

Liz Nicks said...

My daughter LOVES books and when I read to her. She is only one and I am so glad she is already showing interest.

I love the fact that it is a colorful learning book from a different culture, teaching a lesson that is important anywhere! Thanks for the chance!

tracy hanson said...

I love the message in the Story-So simple and sweet! I know my Grandbabys would love this, especially the tiny precious one coming from Ethiopia soon!

Henry said...

I love the trivia on the website. Lots of questions about Africa countries, and Jamaica and Haiti - regions whose history most Americans are least educated about.

Lucky Girl said...

The story itself is my favorite, and the book looks beautiful!

ChefDruck said...

I love the illustrations - the hippo just looks so fun and friendly. My children would love this book and I would love that they are learning about Africa.

MaricrisG said...

I like Watch Sikulu and Harambe dance for my daughter- she loves to dance. And what I like abt the author is the fact that she is a migrant like me that made it big here in the US. I'm proud! Just means that it dont matter if we are not originally from here- we shine whoever wherever we're from!

Jennifer said...

I liked the dance game! It was too cute!

jls_wss2003 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

That's the most adorable site! I love the read the book - the story is so sweet.

Cindy
omacconsulting@gmail.com

okbarbie5 said...

This book and stuffed animals look so darn cute! Thanks for giving me a chance to win it so I can read to my granddaughter!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for having a giveaway. I liked the fact that I could read the book online. It's definitely very helpful to know if it's worth buying - more websites should do this!

I posted info about your giveaway on my blog: http://savingmoneyideas.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/bloggy-giveaways-quarterly-carnival/

trishtheconqueror at hotmail dot com

Becca said...

I love the travel diary on the website. Thanks!
cross_home2001 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Fantacy so Sweet-n-Stuff... said...

I loved the illustrations :) the stuffed toys are a close 2nd though! ty so much for the chance to win, I am sure my 4 yr old dd would love this and my sons would love to read it to her as much as I would!

Fantacy so Sweet-n-Stuff... said...

I just blogged about this great giveaway! ty for another chance to win :)
http://sweetnstuffgiveaways.blogspot.com/2008/10/sweet-simple-perfect-for-any-lil-one.html

julie said...

as an artist ..I really love the illustrations...so sweet and gentle
3beez at bellsouth dot net

Kara said...

We have just started reading to our little one, but I am certain she will love the graphics!!! vinceandkara@yahoo.com

Jill said...

Both the illustrations and the Moral message they incorporate are Great!! Thanks for this Giveaway :)

freeshopper said...

Great story. My kids would love the book.

Kathleen W. said...

I think the website in general is really nice, very appealing to kids and adults. The story is wonderful too, exposing kids to different cultures and also about being kind to those in need. I'd love to win this for my son.

Momnerd said...

I love that spider and I love that the book has a good message. This is one we would really enjoy!! sharlacarbine at gmail dot com

Mrs. Olsen said...

I really like that they had reviews and comments. I like to see what other people like about products.

rebolsen (at) gmail (dot) com

danandmarsh said...

Think I would like Title: Book with Sikulu and Harambe for my grandson!

Stacy said...

I like that the author left the business world to follow his dreams.

hetz-junk(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sarah said...

Aw, I love that there are reviews from kids about the book! That rules.

I'd love to win this for my kiddo--thanks for the contest!

Suzanne said...

the story

Katie Stacey said...

harambe the hippo is so cute!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! My nephew would love it.

Deborah
dbstout{at}juno{dot}com

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

I like that the author is from Nigeria and that the book is designed to give us a bit of Africa. Looks really nice! I'd love to win!
give_me_a_latte at yahoo

janaemadsen said...

I like the illustrations and the hippo

Daintry said...

I love the bright pictures! They stand out so well!

Carol said...

harmabe dance is a fav. Great gift. Thanks for a chance to win.

actsm(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

The story itself looks great. The colors and the designs are wonderful. Thanks for the generous giveaway.

samsakara@twcny.rr.com

Anonymous said...

I love that hippo!

Unknown said...

I love the illustrations! My granddaughter would love this book. My DH tells us stories of growing up in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and is quite familiar with the Zambezi River. Thanks for the chance to win your great giveaway!
proudyaya04 {at} yahoo {dot} com

Emily said...

I loved the story!

Thanks for offering it!

princesslimey (at) gmail (dot) com

Mommy 2 Monkeys said...

I like that it's based on a folktale and is part of a series of adventures.

jenny said...

wow thay look like thay be some good books to read and well i love to try and win this for my litlle one she loves books

Staci A said...

I love that you can read the book on the site, the story seems wonderful. I'd love to share it with my son. Thanks for the giveaway!
princess3sah(at)cs(dot)com

Jenny said...

I'd like to read this to my daughter! It's a neat idea to make a book that would be such a new take on an old story.

the_other_alice_(at)yahoo.com

Amity said...

I like that it comes from a different culture...it is always good to expand our kids horizons ;-)amitymatthia[at]hotmail.com

Unknown said...

i like the illustrations, they're clear but still kid friendly

ebienic(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Definately the story! I just read the book, check out my blog to win an autographed copy of the book!

I'm trying to win the sikulu and harambe plush for my son Gabriel (20 months old) they are just adorable!

Lovin' the Holidays Festival 2008
http://www.lovingheartmommy.com/2008/10/lovin-holidays-festival-2008-need.html
Deadline to enter -November 14th
Running: November 15th - January 15th
kristinia at lovingheartmommy dot com

Unknown said...

I'll add you right now to the top of my page, its a sticky post due to this ending soon!

Lovin' the Holidays Festival 2008
http://www.lovingheartmommy.com/2008/10/lovin-holidays-festival-2008-need.html
Deadline to enter -November 14th
Running: November 15th - January 15th
kristinia at lovingheartmommy dot com

Qtpies7 said...

I think the matching stuffed animals are too adorable!

Kristin W. said...

i liked the story. it looks really cute and i know my daughter would just love it.
thanks for the giveaway!
specialk(dot)roxygirl(at)gmail(dot)com

kamewh said...

I loved the story!

Thank you for the great giveaway!

kerin0874 (at) yahoo (dot) com

CaseyDeuce said...

Aweee... I love the review from the 8 year old on the site. How cute! I'd love to win this for my daughter, we read together every single night and could use something new! Please come on over and check out my giveaways!!

HeatherLow said...

I like the diversity of the book. I think it's good that you can play the games to reinforce. Thanks for the giveaway.
Heather
poncey76 at hotmail dot com

Stephanie said...

liked the watch them dance game. lol
tvollowitz at aol dot com

Tamara B. said...

The morals behind the story is what I like. Thank-you.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

the illustrations and the story line...I am in- thanks- please enter me thankyou..mrs.mommyyatgmail.com

Kristan said...

i love that it is african...in another life, i'm a missionary in uganda or west africa.
andrewandkristan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Suzie Williams said...

I liked reading the book online. It looks like a very cute book.

Anonymous said...

Besides the fact they have comments from children; I like that the story isn't just a story. It's based on an actually folklore. So that combined with the colorful pictures is wonderful to me.. Thanks for a lifelesson giveaway... wiicked13 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Genevieve P said...

I like the introduction to a different culture.
parknj at basicisp dot net

Cherie J said...

The games were cute, especially the one about Sikulu and Harambe dancing.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chantelle said...

i love the message of the story :) Awesome Giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win

Dee said...

I like the games!!

Jinxy and Me said...

I like the illustrations and the story itself is good too. Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

This is so neat! I think my kids would really enjoy hearing about another culture and another land. Thanks for the chance

Anonymous said...

I like the book and that it is a story about kindness. Thanks for the giveaway. semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I love that story! The trivia is wonderful as well. My children would LOVE this story. What a wonderful message! Thank you for entering me in your giveaway.

djcregue at wmis dot net

Blakely said...

I liked the dancing game - the music to it was great.

eyeslikesugar said...

Oh! I love that the author was born in Nigeria. I love that the world is getting smaller due to internet, media, television, etc. and I think it's important to teach kids about different countries. :) How fantastic! Thank you for this giveaway; I hope I win :)
eyeslikesugar (at) gmail (dot) com

Becca Ann said...

great games my daughter would love them

Suz said...

I love the games.

txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com

Reva Skie said...

I love the illustrations.

Lauren Wright Swinson said...

Love the illustrations! So cute.

Anonymous said...

What I really like is all of the culture exposure this offers. It's phenomenal and it's something that I look for. I encourage diversity in everything.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

ahiltz said...

I really liked the story and the graphics! Thanks so much for doing this giveaway!
ahiltzy@yahoo(dot)com

Ginny said...

the dance games

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I love the games!

lilacbutterfly [at] earthlink.net

Krista said...

I love that the author is African and writing about what he knows! So cool!
teacherkrista at gmail dot com

janetfaye said...

I like this: Based on an actual folktale, it is a great story that reinforces the beauty of kindness to young children.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Jodi said...

I love the trivia, it gets kids (and parents) thinking.

purehrt555(at)yahoo(dot)com

mom2boys said...

My son loves books. He doesn't read yet,but I read to him all the time. I'm lucky he is so interested in learning. Thanks for the giveaway!

hottmomma_03@yahoodotcom

Anissa said...

What fun illustrations! I love reading stories from different cultures to my son!

Ren said...

It's a cute story!

Ms. Candice said...

We actually already have this book, but I would love to win Harambe the Hippo to go with it!
The story and illustrations are great; I want to read more books in the series as they are released!

onlycancan at hotmail dot com

www.MomMostTraveled.com

Unknown said...

The illustrations are beautiful!
ELaine
bells6ATbellsouthDOTnet

Angela @ Nine More Months said...

I love the dance game! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Angela
itsahumanzoo(at)gmail(dot)com
P.S. I’m giving away a subscription to Parents Magazine on my blog, so if you or someone you know might be interested, stop on by! :)

Unknown said...

Wow, I almost missed your giveaway Michele! Theres a lot to look through! Please enter me to win, Jada Mae would love this! Thanks

noreen said...

my daughter adores hippos, I know which book to get her for christmas
I love watching them dance in the game section, very cute