Check It Out: Classic children’s toy expands to other media
Many of us have fond memories of playing with Legos. The small, colorful, interconnecting blocks allowed us to stretch our imagination, use our creativity, and develop our fine motor skills. From mini figures to rubber wheels and everything in between, you can make just about anything with Legos.
Legos are considered a classic children’s toy. Now it is also easy to find books, video games and movies featuring this popular toy.
“The LEGO Book” by Daniel Lipkowitz will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about Legos. The book includes Lego history, construction tips, photographs of Lego art, and even shows you how Legos are made. Also included with this title is a companion book, “Standing Small: A Celebration of 30 Years of the LEGO Minifigure.”
Two books by Sean Kenney, “Cool Robots” and “Cool Cars and Trucks,” will teach you step-by-step how to use Legos to create robots, transformers, spaceships, cars, trucks, tankers and many other vehicles. The instructions are easy to follow and can be a springboard for other ideas.
See the Lego world come to life in “The Adventures of Clutch Powers,” a full-length Lego DVD. Clutch Powers, the best builder and explorer in the Lego universe, sets off on a dangerous mission. Clutch and his team travel to various locations where they use their brick-building skills to escape from their enemies. This movie will take you on an action-packed Lego adventure.
Not to be forgotten are the plethora of Lego video games. Animated Lego mini figures become the characters that star in each game. There are many titles, but to name a few: “Lego Indiana Jones,” “Lego Harry Potter,” “Lego Batman,” and “Lego Star Wars.” Many of these games are available to borrow from the library’s video game collection. The library video games are compatible with a variety of gaming systems including Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and Playstation3.
In celebration of this fun Lego trend, the Newport Beach Public Library is now offering Lego “Block” Parties at the Crean Mariners Branch Library from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 20, Feb. 22, March 30, April 21 and May 24. We provide the Legos and children, ages 3 to 12, can build and design Lego creations at these fun programs. Traditional Lego blocks are used, but younger children also enjoy creating with the larger Duplo Lego blocks. No registration is required.
CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of the branches, contact the Newport Beach Public Library at (949) 717-3800, option 2.