Some time ago, a P.R. rep from No Starch Press contacted me about a book they were publishing. Their slogan is “The Finest in Geek Entertainment.” I have no idea why they contacted me (cough).
The book, The LEGO Adventure Book: Spaceships, Pirates, Dragons & More! (ISBN-10: 1-59327-512-9) tells a very loosely woven story as a cartoon. Instead of drawing the panels, author Megan H. Rothrock creates the scenes out of – you guessed it – LEGO. (She adds speech bubbles and minimal artwork as required.)
Rothrock herself is the protagonist of her story. Here’s her “author photo:”
You know you’re a keener when…
Rothrock provides instructions on how to build the stuff in the book. Her “Tragon” needs copious parts, including a train motor, infrared speed remote controller, and infrared sensor an battery box. (LEGO has changed a bunch in the decades since I last played with it). Once you get through more than 75 panels worth of instructions (I’m not kidding) you get a dragon that drags a train.
This model is but one of many sophisticated yet whimsical and delightful creations the book serves up. If you can do them all, assembling IKEA furniture will never worry you again (if it ever did).
Models come from Rothrock’s fellow LEGO enthusiasts from disparate points on the globe, and she enthusiastically writes each one into the “story,” providing full attribution for their designs.
Not all the models have instructions, but since they’re similar to models that precede them in the book, readers might take on the challenge of building the variations shown. They might even visit the web pages of the designers who lent their creations to this book, and the LEGO-building online communities where these enthusiasts seem to hang out.
The book isn’t endorsed by the folks who make LEGO, but they must be pleased as punch over the enthusiasm that goes into playing with their products. Everything from a dock crane to Jacques Cousteau’s “Calypso” (helicopter from same shown below) to entire walled cities come together thanks to the international team of designers who contributed their creations to the book.
It’s sophisticated stuff intended to fire up creativity and give credit cards a workout. The cost of LEGO parts, especially the customized stuff, is about the only downside I can see in this book – well, that and the pieces destined to be scattered behind furniture, gnawed on by pets and stepped on by unsuspecting folk who show the temerity to walk around indoors in sock feet.
If you’re a LEGO enthusiast or know one you want to buy a gift for, check out The LEGO Adventure Book online.