LEGOs have been around for many, many years. I remember playing with them for hours and hours when I was a child. Now, of course, LEGOs are more advanced and the selection is staggering! And, now there are a bunch of new LEGO books to help children (and adults) build amazing creations.
The LEGO BOOST Idea Book
The LEGO BOOST Idea Book: 95 Simple Robots And Hints For Making More! ($24.95, 264 pp., September 2018), by Yoshihito Isogawa, is the first new book I’d like to present. This book is fascinating and really takes LEGOs where I would never imagine they could go. The author helps you to build robots that will move, including robots that can “walk and crawl, shoot and grab objects, and even draw using a pen” (taken from back cover of the book). It shows you the pieces you need and provides photographs to help you piece together the creations. The book truly reminds me of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). And, if you have a child that is into STEM or you want to nudge them in that direction, this book is a wonderful one to do that. I can see this book getting children very excited and setting their imaginations into motion like no other book before! This book is for children 7+ years.
The LEGO Zoo
For the younger kids, there is The LEGO Zoo: 50 Easy-To-Build Animals ($19.95, 208 pp., November 2018), by Jody Padulano. This book has some really creative LEGO animals that kids would love to create. The book includes how to build a horse, a dog, a peacock, monkey, cow, koala, hippo, and many other animals. It also includes insects, such as a butterfly, a bee, and a caterpillar. Directions are simple and clear, leading you through step-by-step directions. Each project includes a “Parts List” and a “Difficulty” level. This would be wonderful for kids to create animals that they can then utilize to play with their Barbies, a LEGO village, or some other setting. Or, they could create their own zoo! The possibilities are endless. This book is suggested for children 5+ years.
The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book
The next book is a super fun one and would make a great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift: The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book: 16 Designs To Spread Holiday Cheer! Volume 2 ($19.95, 220 pp., October 2018), by Chris McVeigh. You could even purchase this before Christmas season so kids can build before Christmas and use their creations to help decorate for the holiday season. This book features “Christmas Classics,” “Geometric Designs,” and “Fun Stuff!” Some of the projects include a Santa, Reindeer, a Gingerbread House, a Confetti Tree, and a ’90s PC. These are fun projects to get everyone into the holiday mood (and keep the kids busy while you’re wrapping presents). This book also provides step-by-step instructions.
The LEGO Architecture Idea Book
The LEGO Architecture Idea Book: 1001 Ideas For Brickwork, Siding, Windows, Columns, Roofing, And Much, Much More ($24.95, 232 pp., October 2018), by Alice Finch, takes LEGOs to another level in terms of architecture. This book addresses brickwork, wall cladding and shingles, curved walls, framing and paneling, patterned walls, molding and millwork, different types of windows, doors, and much more. When I look at the pictures in this book, I am amazed and didn’t even know such things were possible. It truly demonstrates how LEGOs can incorporate the finer details of architecture as an art form. It’s impressive as a book full of ideas for the young (or old) architect!
The LEGO Neighborhood Book
The LEGO Neighborhood Book: Build Your Own City! – Book 2 ($19.95, 192 pp., November 2018), by Brian Lyles and Jason Lyles, will remind you of what you see at LEGOLAND, if you’ve ever been there. This book provides you with tons of ideas for creating your own city. It also provides step-by-step directions for building multistory buildings and mini projects, such as a “Toppings Bar” or a “Traffic Light.” I really enjoyed reading the expert tips for creating a more professional look in building a city. This book is for ages 10+ years.
LEGO Micro Cities
The last book I have to present is LEGO Micro Cities: Build Your Own Mini Metropolis! ($24.95, 200 pp., October 2018), by Jeff Friesen. What I really like about this book is that, since you’re building a micro city, you don’t need a lot of LEGOs and the final result is still amazing. These projects are more for building and appreciating the appearance, but they are truly fun to build and so neat to look at. Some micro cities you can create include a “Steamworks,” a “Hyperloop City,” and the “Upper Brick Side.” You really have to see the pictures to truly appreciate the creativity of this book. This book is listed for 7+ years.
Well, there you go! So many cool books for LEGOs. I truly wish I had these when I was a kid. These books make the perfect gift for so many, male or female, LEGO expert or the LEGO beginner. And, what I love the most about these books is that they stimulate the imagination and provide for hours of creative play (and play away from computers and screens). All of these books are available on the No Starch Press website.