Brick City

Brick City – Global Icons to Make from Lego
Written by Warren Elsmore
Published at Barron’s

About the book

Brick City is a model builder’s festival in book form. What lends special distinction to the models is the way they’re constructed. Each is made entirely of LEGO bricks! Known for decades as a favorite children’s toy, LEGO bricks have entered the adult model builder’s repertoire in recent years. Author and model maker Warren Elsmore presents instructions for neophyte LEGO modelers plus plans for constructing specific buildings and landmarks, along with vivid photos of completed LEGO models. The models represent landmarks from all over the world, and include—

• St. Basil's Cathedral
• New York’s New World Trade Center
• The Arc de Triomphe
• Rome’s Colosseum
• A London taxicab
• Hong Kong ferries
• Buckingham Palace. . . and many others

Featuring amazing photos of LEGO models, and scale drawings of structural details to guide model builders, Brick City presents a modeler’s panorama of contemporary urban landscapes. More than 400 illustrations in color and black and white.

My Thoughts

I have four kids – all loving to use Lego to build something new.   Sometimes they follow a plan.  Other times they are very creative.   What I love about creativity is that they can check out what others have done in order to get more ideas.   That’s why I am always on the lookout to discover more ideas for them to build.

Imagine my delight when I stumbled – literally – on a particular title giving step-by-step directions on building famous landscapes found throughout the world.  That’s what Brick City is about.   Some of the constructions included in this book will have step-by-step guidance for your child to follow while others will only show the incredible details included in the buildings.   Not only will you get the step-by-step instructions but you also get a list of the bricks needed to make the building.   

While flipping the pages of this book, I also discovered that the Montreal Biodome and the St. Joseph’s Oratory has been made in Lego.  What a surprised it was to see two of the famous landmarks of my birthplace.    The models have various sizes going from a scale of 5 cm to 122 cm tall. 

At the beginning of the book, the child or Lego fan can read more about how building were made at the scale for Lego.   You will also get a small introduction on how CAD Modeling is used for this kind of Lego creations.   The reader will also get some building tips, a practice project , mosaic techniques, and a choice of projects to complete within the book.

Needless to say that I am very impressed with this book and I know that some brick builders in this household will have a blast exploring and creating their own famous icons from around the world.   Would you believe me if I tell you you can build Marilyn Monroe above the subway vent with her skirt flowing around?   Yes it’s in the book along with instructions to build the famous Red Phone Box in London and other famous places.  Also enclosed with the book are two dramatic posters featuring LEGO® model photos of architectural world landmarks.

So if you have an avid brick builder in your household, I strongly recommend the book Brick City to you.  It is packed with interesting projects and will allow your child (or Lego fan) to explored a new level of construction.  This book would make a perfect birthday gift or a Christmas surprise under the tree. 

Brick City is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Barron’s. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Boy and Girl Books of Adventures

Boy’s Book of Adventure & Girl’s Book of Adventure
Published at Barron’s Educational Series

About the books

Boy’s Book of Adventure – the little guidebook for smart and resourceful boys

Here’s an exciting book packed with facts about nature, ideas for outdoor activities, and fun-to-do crafts projects that will keep boys interested and busy all year around. It’s filled with color illustrations and diagrams that teach kids—

• How to recognize different kinds of insects and observe their activities
• How to identify different kinds of rocks
• How to read a topographic map
• How to construct a camper’s backpack
• How to tie sailors’ knots
• How to build a periscope . . . and much more

Camping advice and instruction includes ways to protect against the weather, first-aid for injuries, advice on using a compass, tips for studying the night sky, identifying birds, and much more. The book’s wide array of topics and sturdy construction makes it an ideal outdoor companion for hiking and camping excursions. An elastic band bound into the back cover can be stretched over pages and used as a place marker. Color illustrations on every page.

Girl’s Book of Adventure – The Little Guidebook for smart and resourceful girls

Girls who take pleasure in crafts activities, and who enjoy the outdoors and nature will love this activity book. It’s packed with color illustrations, things to make and do, and ideas for outdoor activities. Instructions, tips, and information on some of the book’s many topics include—

• How to identify seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs
• How to take professional-looking photos and create good-looking photo albums
• How to make paper jewelry
• How to make herbal teas and delicious fruit desserts
• How to dress and pack for hiking and camping activities
• How to construct imaginative musical instruments
• How to weave containers and baskets

Here too are instructions for outdoor games, ideas for hiking trips and nature watching, first-aid instruction, and more—a total of 60 themes that are of special interest to girls. This book’s sturdy construction makes it ideal for taking along on outdoor activities. An elastic band bound into the back cover can be stretched over book pages for use as a place marker. Color illustrations on every page.

My Thoughts

As the final school days are approaching I know that some parents will wonder how they can entertain their kids during the summer months.   For us, I think we will do a bit of science intertwined with camp/VBS/family reunion and so on.   But I recently received two marvelous books that could help many parents out there to entertain their kids during the months of June/July/August.   These two books are packed with fun activities and cool facts from cover to cover.   The books are The Boy’s Book of Adventure and The Girl’s Book of Adventure.

First let’s take a look at the one dedicated for boys.   In this little gem of a book, your child will be able to discover plenty of adventurous ideas for outdoors as well as fun-to-do crafts projects.   Essentially, this is an outdoor activities book.  With all the publicity emphasis the fact that kids are not spending enough time outside, it’s nice to discover a book that encourages the kids to explore the outdoors.  Here’s what you will find in the table of contents:  little insects in the grass, bike safety, secret codes, make your own wallet, morse code, awalé, protect yourself from the sun, wild geometry, trail signs, don’t lose north, rescue techniques, shells, cool drinks, outdoor traveler’s toolbox, most beautiful rocks, adventurer’s shelter, poisonous snakes, make a periscope, music of the sea, first aid, taking care of plants without wasting water, reading a map, karate sudoku, native American way, pond in your backyard, make a water mill, music of the world, snail race, what will the weather be like tomorrow, your head in the stars, races on the water, make an herbarium, mystery of cherries, adventurer’s pouch, how to catch a fish, bird-watching, sailors’ knots, animal tracks, garden, send news, martian, and removing salt from seawater.   *deep breath*  

As you can see, there is a ton of interesting subjects to explore during the summer time.   Some of them remind me of things I have done while being in the girl guides.   Each subject has colorful illustrations and fun facts.  I am very impressed with the project of hunting for bugs during the night!

Now let’s explore the book that is specifically for girls.   This one is packed with activities and fun-to-do projects.  A little bit different that the boy one, this book will encourage your girl to explore things that she never did before.  Here’s what you will find in the table of contents: cooking with honey, make a swing, sailor’s knots, beauty tips, discover Yoté, paper jewelry, photos like the pros, careful: poison, well-protected fruits, hiker’s toolbox, flowers on your plate, precious photos, birthday piñata, herbal and wellness teas, predicting the weather, discover Furoshiki, candles all year long, organic calendar, Japanese-style breakfast, when the winds blows, homemade potpourri, woven pot, secret messages, games you can make, summer sarong, recycle yogurt containers, seasonal drinks, crazy game: Monkey Quarters, real magician, identifying wild flowers, celebrating music, fairy headpiece, hedgehog superstars, flower for decoration, beach comets, party projects, scent of times past, your jewelry bowl, dream catcher, my notes – my sketches.

Plenty of things to do with your girl don’t you think?   Again, this book is well designed and contains fabulous illustrations.   I am very impressed with some of the activities and I will make a flower for decorations for my daughter’s hair.   I am certain that she will ask me to make one for her special doll, Léonie as well. 

 

Did I mentioned that both books contains more than 50 stickers?   No?  Well here you go.  More fun for your child because stickers are included.  But seriously, I think the books can be used by siblings to encourage working together.   My sweet daughter is a bit young to do it herself so I am thinking of asking her big brothers to do some of the activities with her.   And when the boys explore something I don’t see why their sister can’t join them.   Both books contains things I have done while in the girl guides…  and it is interesting that they don’t repeat themselves on the activities.  In a way they kind of complete themselves… though some activities in the girl book wouldn’t be fun for a boy and vice versa when it comes for the boy book for a girl.  But I can see my daughter having fun catching bugs in the night and the boys enjoying a swing in a tree (if only we had a big enough tree that is… and then again there might be argument on whose turn it is to swing – make it would be better to have four?).

Both books are sturdy and can be carried for a trip or camp.   I really think that the kids – boys or girls – will enjoy discovering the activities included in these books.  They would make a great surprise book to give at the end of the school year and could help your kids to discover new fun things to do.

The Boy’s Book of Adventure and The Girl’s Book of Adventure are both available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

   

   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Barron’s. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Just Draw It

Just Draw It! –The Dynamic Drawing Course for Anyone with a Pencil and Paper
Written by Sam Piyasena and Beverly Philip
Published at Barron’s

About the Book

This unusual book serves several different purposes, starting with its guaranteed appeal to both professionals and amateurs who like to pick up a pencil and draw. Art students seeking a change of pace will respond to the authors’ very informal approach, seeing the lessons as fun-to-do confidence builders that emphasize the value of creative freedom. Every exercise can be performed by artists at all levels of training and ability.

• All exercises are designed to develop and improve hand-eye coordination
• Each exercise focuses on a different approach to drawing precisely what the eye sees—rapid sketches of moving objects, detailed observation of tones and shadow, exercises that teach rules of perspective, and much more
• A powerfully effective art course that never feels like a set of tedious drills

Lessons can be completed using various media—pencil, ink, colored pencils, magic markers, or charcoal. Illustrations on every page in color and black and white.

My Thoughts

I consider this book as a guide in learning how to draw.   Though it explain various techniques and styles, I find that the book contains lots of explanations and examples but need to guide the reader a bit more in how to apply to teaching part.   I felt really discouraged when I saw how much things I needed to read while learning how to draw.   Maybe a more advance novice in drawing would enjoy this book better than I did.    Don’t take me wrong, the information contained in this book is fabulous and can help you to expand your drawing skills but for me it wasn’t a good fit.  

There are six chapters in this book:

Chapter 1:  Line and Mark Making –>  drawing start with lines…. learn how to master this simple step.

Chapter 2: Tone and Form –> Seeing the shapes, round, shadow play, tone, tear, stick, and more.

Chapter 3: Composition, perspective and Viewpoint –> Zen portraits, rule of thirds, crop and more.

Chapter 4: Movement and Gesture –> speed draw, time and motion, moving people…

Chapter 5: Pattern and Texture –>  first impressions, dots, spots and blots, and more.

Chapter Six Observation, Exploration, and Imagination –>  magnification, reflection, decomposition,…

If you are considering exploring drawing I am unsure that this would be a great book for you.  However, if you are the type of person who is quite confident in yourself and if you have a good base in drawing, this book can help you explore various techniques in drawing.  Each chapter contains some exercises but I personally felt lost in the book.   I don’t have the time to explore drawing at this level at this point in time in my life.   So for now, I will put the book aside and hope to have more time in the future.

Just Draw It! is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Barron’s. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.