Cool Creations in 101 Pieces

December 15, 2014
Preschool-G Like Cool Cars and Trucks (2009), Kenney's first book in the Cool series of LEGO construction ideas, this sixth volume includes plenty of vehicles, from race cars to spaceships. The short, thematic chapters also cover topics such as robots, funny faces, and Interior Decorating (dollhouse-sized furniture). An opening page lays out the 101 LEGO pieces needed to build everything in the book. Although most look fairly common, some of the parts are specialized, but readers lacking certain pieces can order them online or improvise with what they have. Each chapter begins with clear, colorful photos of several different creations, followed by wordless, step-by-step digital illustrations showing how to make one of the creations. Occasionally, a single step might be pictured from more than one perspective or broken down into more detailed views. Though instructions are longer and more complex than in Cool Creations in 35 Pieces (2013), younger LEGO fans will still enjoy looking at the photos. A worthwhile addition to the series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)