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LEGO book review: The LEGO Ideas Book

REVIEW & CONTEST – WIN YOUR VERY OWN COPY! Today I would like to show you a new book for LEGO fans called The LEGO Ideas Book – Unlock Your Imagination. This is the second LEGO book I have received from DK Publishing, the first being the LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia that I have reviewed yesterday. (And yes, you can win your very own copy of both books – read on to find out how.)

Let me give you the official description first and then I will go into details about the contest. Here is the publisher’s blurb about The LEGO Ideas Book. Check it out:

You have what it takes! Did you ever wonder what you can do with all of those LEGO bricks after you have created the project they came with?

 Now with The LEGO Ideas Book, you can take what you already have and make something new! The book is divided into six themed chapters—transportation, buildings, space, kingdoms, adventure, and useful makes—each with basic templates of key models and spreads to inspire you to create your own.

Hints and tips from Master Builders can help you turn your classic car into a race car or add a bridge to your castle! Don’t be concerned if you haven’t got all the bricks you need: this book also shows how to simplify details, making this a great user-friendly guide for any building ability.

Featuring all-new LEGO building projects, tips to supplement and enhance your LEGO creations, inspirational builds, and expert advice from LEGO Master Builders, The LEGO Ideas Book will keep kids of all ages creating for hours.

  • Unlock Your Imagination!
  • Be inspired by LEGO fan builders to create amazing LEGO models!
  • The LEGO Ideas Book is a visual treasury of building ideas, tips, and tricks to inspire your very own brick creations. Inside its pages you will find medieval castles, intergalactic spaceships, dastardly pirate ships, soaring jet planes – and much, much more!
  • Discover building ideas to suit all abilities and ages – Learn new ways to approach building with LEGO bricks – Unlock your imagination and become a better LEGO builder!

And now my thoughts on The LEGO Ideas Book: This book works well both as a practical reference book for LEGO fans as well as a coffee-table book just for browsing and reading. It is large, hard-cover, and beautiful. I would say that the book is best suited for older kids and adults who are interested in advanced and interesting LEGO building ideas and techniques. The large pictures and minimalist text can be enjoyed by younger kids as well, but they will likely need adult help with building any of the models.

Please note that the intent of this LEGO book is to inspire and get you thinking about LEGO building in different ways that you might have been accustomed to. It is a great book to stimulate, exercise, and stretch your creative muscles. The book does not give building instructions about the featured LEGO models. However there are detailed photos and description of the techniques used for each model, so with some thought and effort you can build them. I actually really like this feature of the book as it makes me think!

Just like with other LEGO books published by DK Publishing, the layout and the design of the book are excellent! The book is divided into 6 chapters:

  • VEHICLES: cars, trucks, trains, planes, helicopters, boats (featured LEGO models by Barney Main)
  • BUILDINGS: houses, train stations, country barns, bridges (featured LEGO models by Deborah Hidgon)
  • SPACE: space-ships, moon-buggies, robotic vehicles, aliens (featured LEGO models by Tim Goddard)
  • CASTLES: castles, draw-bridges, traps, wagons, dragons, cannons (featured LEGO models by Sebastiaan Arts)
  • FANTASY: pirate-life, Viking-life, wild animals, robots (featured LEGO models by Duncan Titmarsh)
  • PRACTICAL MAKES: desk organizers, displays, picture frames, mosaics, board-games (features LEGO models by Andrew Walker)

The book is written by Daniel Lipkowitz, author of a previous bestseller; The LEGO Book. Daniel writes for LEGO Master Builder Academy and the LEGO Club Magazine. He also creates characters and storylines for new LEGO themes, and writes scripts for animated LEGO movies and videos. Check out this virtual flip-thru of the LEGO book from Parka Blogs:

What I like most about this LEGO book is that it features the creations of LEGO fans, rather then company employees. At the end of each chapter, there is a Meet the Builder section, where you can learn a bit more about each of them. They answer questions like “How old were you when you started using LEGO bricks?”, What are you inspired by?”,What is the biggest and most complex LEGO model you’ve made?”,If you had all the LEGO bricks (and time!) in the world, what would you build?”, “What are some of your top LEGO tips?”

I highly recommend this book for any serious or even causal LEGO fan! It is absorbing, interesting and inspiring! Also, you can’t go wrong with giving this as a gift to someone who likes LEGO! You can buy the book on Amazon here (on sale right now for $13.99 – regular price $24.99): The LEGO Ideas Book on Amazon

And now about the LEGO contest and winning your very own copy of The LEGO Ideas Book! DK Publishing was kind enough to set aside for our readers three copies of both the LEGO Star Wars Encyclopedia and the LEGO Ideas Book for a little contest and fun. See my review on the LEGO Star Wars Encyclopedia with the second contest. The third contest is at theBrickBlogger’s Facebook Page. Yes, you can enter all three contests! Here is how the contest works:

THE LEGO IDEAS BOOK CONTEST

HOW TO ENTER: In the spirit of The LEGO Ideas Book lets play with the same question as the books featured LEGO fans did. Simply complete the following sentence in the comment section below:

  • If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build…

WHAT ARE THE RULES: Nothing difficult; just complete the sentence. Keep common-sense courtesy and manners otherwise your answer can be as serious or funny as you want! Have fun!

HOW TO WIN: Contest will run from now until Sunday, November 27th at midnight US EST. Once the contest is closed I will ask my little sister to pick a number between however many comments are there. (So if there are 100 comments I will ask her to pick a number between 1 and 100. Don’t worry; she is old enough to know her numbers!) Whichever number she picks is the winning comment.

WHAT YOU WIN: The winning commenter will receive two books: the LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia, and The LEGO Ideas Book.

HOW TO RECEIVE YOUR PRIZE: If you are the winning commenter I will contact you by email. Please make sure your email address in your comment is correct! You send me your shipping address (no PO Box please) and DK Publishing will send you both LEGO books. Best of luck! 😉

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick configuration and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. © 2011 The LEGO Group. Produced by DK Publishing under license from the LEGO Group. © 2011 Lucasfilm Ltd. ® & TM All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization.

{ 71 comments… add one }
  • Margot November 17, 2011, 11:51 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build…a lawn full of giant Lego sculptures- the opposite of miniland. 🙂

  • Brett Johnston November 17, 2011, 12:01 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… a green dress, but not a real green dress that’s cruel.

    • Steph November 17, 2011, 1:32 PM

      LOL!

  • Quad November 17, 2011, 12:26 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a real-life scale house.

  • Steve Clark November 17, 2011, 12:42 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build…. World Peace! No idea what it would look like but hey that answer works for pageant queens figured it had to apply here 🙂

  • Andrew November 17, 2011, 12:54 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build…. an enormous medieval village surrounding an enormous castle, all at proper mini-figure scale.

  • George G. November 17, 2011, 1:08 PM

    If I had all of the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build….
    A house for everyone in the world who is homeless, so they have somewhere to live :’)

  • Jon November 17, 2011, 1:34 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build…
    …a life-size house, or rather a complete city!

  • Steph November 17, 2011, 1:40 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a a mini version of downtown Lucenec, Slovakia.

  • Yatkuu November 17, 2011, 2:06 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a large Pirate diorama… The kind of build where you get lost into because of the million details that are making it so cool…

  • Ian Brown November 17, 2011, 2:42 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a whole fleet of space vehicles.

  • Eduardo November 17, 2011, 2:54 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a life size house, that I could really live inside. One of my childhood dreams.

  • Cory November 17, 2011, 3:43 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a car I could drive around in.

  • Sarah November 17, 2011, 4:17 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a custom made house to live in (complete with LEGO trees and chickens in the yard)!

  • Bustin November 17, 2011, 6:01 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a tree house out of Lego for my kids.

  • toy November 17, 2011, 6:12 PM

    If i had all the LEGO bricks in the world, i would make a city, with houses, cat factories, you name it.

    • toy November 18, 2011, 3:17 PM

      car factories, oops.

  • Robb November 17, 2011, 7:15 PM

    …an entire village for my Fabuland characters; I love the Fabuland LEGO theme.

  • veldar November 17, 2011, 11:30 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build the most intricate and detailed minifig-scale town, modular-style. With parks and trees and a river and playgrounds and even an amusement park (you have to have one of those).

  • Akiva J. November 17, 2011, 11:57 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a bluecoats port city, to true minifig scale.

  • VIE November 18, 2011, 8:19 AM

    OK HERE IS OLD LADY AGAIN, would like input from those who have been at this awhile.
    I am leaning towards the mini’s got a small band of them now( 35) of the little devils. lol they sure can move around fast.
    I am wanting to make a mini life . My big $$ is going to be the beauty shop! go from there.
    My question is what would be a good Book for me WITH instructions at least till I get my brain moving faster. lol OPS there go’s mini baseball guy right off the end of the Mac.. He took a out side hit on the ball and went flying.
    Thanks kids for all your help love to read your inputs.

    • admin November 18, 2011, 10:36 AM

      VIE, nice to have you! What is your favorite LEGO theme? What would you like to learn to build? There are several books out there that could help you, but it may be best to start with one particular genre you are most interested in. At least that’s how I would go about it. Others may have different suggestions. 🙂

  • izzy November 18, 2011, 1:13 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… a life size death star!

  • JokeOnly November 18, 2011, 2:04 PM

    It’d be awesome to make a model of The Simpsons and the whole of Springfield.

  • admin November 18, 2011, 10:00 PM

    UPDATE: The third contest is now open! Here is your third chance to win both the LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia and the LEGO Ideas Book. Have fun and good luck! 😉
    This contest is at theBrickBlogger’s Facebook Page

  • Yago November 19, 2011, 3:19 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build the “Sagrada Familia” by Gaudi

  • ponpokopii November 19, 2011, 8:47 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a golden teahouse on wheels.

  • YTjedi November 19, 2011, 9:30 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a full-size Darkwing Duck statue, or maybe even a LEGO-land scale Darkwing diorama of St. Canard.

  • VIE November 19, 2011, 10:13 AM

    If I had all the Lego’s there are to use., I would start with building the WORLD as it was in the first stages of creation, then move on through the eons with the changes in the world , people, animals , etc. Going on evolving on in to the 22 century. Of course I would need this book to help a LOD from Texas. (Oh mostly in Minfig to save space.!!

  • MasterOdin November 19, 2011, 11:10 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build my very own Legoland.

  • Micky November 19, 2011, 12:33 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… a Triumphal Arch in my town ! With lots of details, and a statue of me, and ornaments, and my name etc. !

  • Katie November 19, 2011, 4:40 PM

    If I had all the lego bricks in the world, I’d build a fantasy castle (life-size, of course). 😉

  • Capital Bricks November 19, 2011, 8:43 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build the sets for all 6 StarWars movies, and then re-film the whole thing Minifig style

  • Goldchains November 20, 2011, 2:13 AM

    If I had all of the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build….
    an underground bunker to hide in when the world ends!

    • admin November 20, 2011, 10:26 AM

      You better do that fast as the world supposed to end next year! 😈

      • Maxx November 20, 2011, 11:20 AM

        I wonder how many times a year the earth is supposed to end?

        Last time, they prosponed the date as nothing happened…..
        Duuuhhhh.

        • Tobymacboy January 12, 2012, 5:48 PM

          it is stupid how they think that they know when the world is guna end. Only God knows. It would be funny if its like 3…2…1.. “wait! let me recalculate! Tomorow it will end!”

  • Maxx November 20, 2011, 10:56 AM

    If I had all of the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would Start cleaning house fast before my wife comes home(c:

  • Sandy November 20, 2011, 11:54 AM

    If I had all of the Lego bricks and time in the world, I would open playhouses, so every person, no matter who they are, can play with Lego.

  • Brandon Liu November 20, 2011, 1:48 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… A life-sized and working LEGO Monorail.

  • Datoda November 20, 2011, 8:48 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… a solar system.

  • Marc Fleury November 20, 2011, 9:17 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build seven metric trunkloads of Star Wars stuff for my kids.

  • Richard November 21, 2011, 11:18 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build…
    elaborate movie sets (minifig scale) along with some Mindstorm robots to help with filming (moving the cameras, etc).

  • David age11 November 21, 2011, 10:04 PM

    If I had all the bricks in the world, I would build a live size U.S.S Enterprise from star trek.

  • Kyle - Age 8 November 22, 2011, 4:55 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build…a limousine, a mansion, and an amusement park – all with Star Wars rides and a real working Star Wars ship.

  • Paul L. November 23, 2011, 12:02 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a life-size version of the castle that started it all for me- LEGO Castle 6075 in all its yellow glory!!!

  • Will November 23, 2011, 12:50 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a massive warehouse like Warehouse 13 and all the weird stuff that goes in it.

  • Sarah November 23, 2011, 12:51 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a vignette for every fairy tale every written.

  • Liu Shiqin November 24, 2011, 1:47 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… all the icons and cityscape of my country Singapore! (the skyline, the Flyer, Merlion, Esplanade, Marina Bay Sands, etc)

  • Beatrice Rolston November 24, 2011, 1:09 PM

    If I had all the lego bricks and time in the world I would build a huge lego scale city with roads and cars etc…..

  • Ezra November 27, 2011, 3:46 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build my city in Miniland scale.

  • Tsitra November 27, 2011, 6:04 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build a giant space port suitable for Futuron and Space Police 1 themes

  • admin November 28, 2011, 5:42 PM

    UPDATE: Contests are now closed. Winners will be announced shortly. Thank you all for playing! 😉

    • toy November 28, 2011, 6:10 PM

      You are welcome

  • admin November 29, 2011, 1:50 PM

    UPDATE: All right, guys and gals, the moment of truth! There were 44 entries to this contest, and lil’ sis has spoken; she said the winning number is…drumroll please…17! 😛

    Entry number 17, raise your paw! That is veldar, if I’m counting correctly. Congratulations veldar! I will contact you for your address. 😀

    If you didn’t win but would still like to get these awesome LEGO books, please note that they are now on sale at Amazon. 😉

    LEGO Star Wars Character Encyclopedia

    The LEGO Ideas Book

  • Andrew February 9, 2012, 9:07 AM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks in the world I would build a Globe big enough to fit in a football stadium with 3d cities and land marks. I would also but this book and make everything in it. I’m going to fulfillment this dream by getting this great book at a good price.

    • admin February 9, 2012, 9:43 AM

      Andrew, yes, this is a great book! It is really a LEGO fans dream! Full of beautiful and large photos of a great variety of models. 🙂

  • VIE February 9, 2012, 10:42 AM

    Well I ordered the book. I am waiting for a bunch of things form Lego. My neighbor wanted to call my son and tell him I have flipped out and gone into child mind lol
    just jealous I think..

  • NRG Cole February 20, 2012, 8:04 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… a giant castle for me to live in with a draw bridge and lego guards

  • Shalimar Kubicek September 15, 2012, 5:37 PM

    please I need your help, I want to build a Space enclosed in a clear rounded plastic the diameter is 24 inches can you provide me this dome and an instructional colored book that shows how to build a Space. I have tons of lego dated from 1993 –2000 belongs to my son I want to make use of these . I know how to build anything with instructions .
    thank you so much I will be waiting eager to hear from you

    • admin September 16, 2012, 10:26 AM

      Shalimar, I’m not sure what you mean by Space. Are you trying to build a space-station or something? Or a surface of a planet? Or a model of the Universe? Would you please clarify? Then we can go from there. 😉

  • jay awesome November 7, 2012, 9:53 PM

    a already got lego’s mba: master builders academy i think i already got lego building skills

  • jay awesome November 7, 2012, 9:58 PM

    if i had all the bricks in the world that wouldn’t be enough so i would build a lego factory

  • Andy at www.smallplasticbricks.com December 29, 2012, 9:50 PM

    I have this book. It’s very nice just to see the building techinques and the creative ways in which they use parts. For us AFOLs, we know about bricklink.com and have all kinds of ways to get old bricks, but some of the younger kids might not have access to all the older pieces Lego no longer makes. For City builders, it has a great section on furniture, barns, and vehicles.

  • Noahnace10 April 23, 2013, 8:39 PM

    Love this book! It’s so helpful!

  • Darthmogul September 4, 2013, 10:49 AM

    If I had al LEGO® Bricks and time in the world I would build a statue of each warrior cat.

  • Fixbot September 15, 2013, 7:44 PM

    If I had all the LEGO bricks and time in the world, I would build… my own house with my own table that I can expand forever and build a dream city world thing!

  • Ian November 17, 2013, 3:43 PM

    If I had all the Lego bricks and time in the world, I would build a skyscraper!

  • Robert longo March 18, 2014, 11:15 PM

    If I had all the lego bricks in the world I would build a giant mustang that I could drive and have a sexy girl in the front seat

    • admin March 19, 2014, 9:03 AM

      LOL! Will she be built of LEGO too? :mrgreen:

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