The Children’s Book Review | March 24, 2014
All the excitement surrounding The LEGO Movie sparked a renewed interest in the venerable building toys at my house. Here’s what happened …
We saw the movie. The kids came home, so excited and inspired, and pulled out the large container that holds all the old LEGO pieces that have been collecting dust for years. They started looking for particular pieces to build some magical creation and then got frustrated because they couldn’t find the right piece in the giant plastic container that holds all the discarded pieces of LEGO projects past. They started yelling for help which prompted stony silence from the parents because, really? Can’t you guys just improvise? But instead of getting into an argument, I just handed them a few of the following books that include all kinds of tips, ideas and techniques to re-purpose existing LEGO pieces for all sorts of fantastic creations. The books are kid-tested and kid-approved. They’ve inspired the kids—and the parents—in countless ways and our LEGO adventures have begun again!
LEGO Building Books
The LEGO Adventure Book Volume 2
Reading level: All Ages
Hard cover: 196 pages
Publisher: No Starch Press
ISBN-13: 978-1593275129
What to expect: Descriptions and colorful photographs of over 100 models of spaceships, pirates, dragons, and much more
In this veritable bible of LEGO models, author Megan Rothrock creates over 100 different models of building structures, motor vehicles, airplanes and spaceships, and any number of things–you think of it and she’s done it. A windmill? A greenhouse? A viper fighter? Even a gingerbread house. The book is full of models and instructions and each section includes a comic strip to set up some context for the creations. All in all, a masterful work to inspire and teach kids how to use their creative ideas to build not only a structure but a whole story to go with it.
Cool City
By Sean Kenney
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hard cover: 32 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
ISBN-13: 978-0805087628
What to expect: Descriptions and colorful photographs of miniature cities and towns
In Cool City, readers are encouraged to use their Lego pieces to build new structures. Easy to follow text and diagrams help builders create apartment buildings and storefronts as well as city buses and street lights. Perfect for re-purposing pieces from Lego City kits. Includes a sheet of stickers to decorate your new city creations.
Cool Robots
By Sean Kenney
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hard cover: 32 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
ISBN-13: 978-0805087635
What to expect: Descriptions and colorful photographs of robots
As the title suggests, this book is full of interesting and detailed descriptions of all sorts of robots. And they are very cool–one is a even a delivery truck that converts to a delivery robot. This one is complicated but a blast once it’s completed. The photographs are clear and easy to decipher which pieces are necessary to build which robots. This book also includes pictures of space crafts and will be sure to spark the imagination.
Cool Castles
By Sean Kenney
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hard cover: 32 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
ISBN-13: 978-0805095395
What to expect: Descriptions and colorful photographs of a medieval village
In Cool Castles, Sean Kenney takes the reader to a medieval village, to see the ins and outs of life in the middle ages. Photographs depict life on the castle farm, and show how to build animals and farm structures. There is a visit to the market and to the village and descriptions of how to build market stalls and small town homes. But the best part of the book is the description of the castle. Kenney shows the reader how to build walls and towers and turrets and even a dungeon with a fire breathing dragon.
Cool Creations in 35 Pieces
By Sean Kenney
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hard cover: 32 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
ISBN-13: 978-0805096927
What to expect: Descriptions and colorful photographs of Lego creations using 35 pieces or less
Sean Kenney delights with this book of how to create just about anything with only 35 Lego pieces. The book includes robots, transformers, spacecraft, buildings, furniture, vehicles, animals, aliens, and even goofy faces. This is a great book and sure to inspire anyone and everyone to build with Legos.
You might also like: The LEGO Movie: Junior Novel and The LEGO Movie: The Official Movie Handbook
If you’re looking for even more books on building LEGO creations or any kind of LEGO books you can get your hands on, follow along with our LEGO books tag.
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1 Comment
Great Review, we have been looking for books which show the kids how to build things shown in the pictures. Bought the Lego Ideas Book which is fantastic, full of really great ideas and pictures but no directions on how to build, so a little frustrating for the kids, plus requires loads of little specific lego bits which we dont have. These books look more specific and more suited to what we are looking for, thanks for review