Awesome minds. The inventors of LEGO toys

Select an Action

Title:

Awesome minds. The inventors of LEGO toys

Alternate title:

Inventors of LEGO toys

Author:

Hagar, Erin, author.

Garrison, Paige, illustrator.

Series:

Awesome minds.

Summary:

"Everyone has played with LEGO toys, but not many people know who is behind this awesome invention. This fun and engaging book tells the story of how a Danish carpenter and his family turned a desperate situation into the most popular toy in history. With full-color illustrations and lively text, and chock-full of interesting facts, Awesome Minds: The Inventors of LEGO; Toys is the perfect read for those with creative spirits and curious minds. This book is an independently authored and published biography of the family that created the LEGO; construction toy and is not sponsored or endorsed by or affiliated in any way with the LEGO Group of companies, owner of the LEGO; trademarks. Lexile Level: 970L"-- Provided by publisher.

Edition:

First edition.

Contents:

Billions of bricks -- A Danish carpenter -- Almonds and yo-yos -- A family business -- The power of plastics -- The automatic binding block -- The idea that changed everything -- A system -- Clutch power -- Thank you, Ole Kirk! -- Rolling forward -- Legoland -- A new generation -- Billions of hours.

Physical Description:

45 pages : color illustrations ; 24 cm.

Personal Subject:

Christiansen, Ole Kirk, 1891-1958.

Corporate Subject:

LEGO koncernen (Denmark) -- History -- Juvenile literature.

Subject Term:

Toy industry -- Denmark -- Juvenile literature.

LEGO toys -- History -- Juvenile literature.

Inventors -- Juvenile literature.

Author(s):

Garrison, Paige,

Publisher:

Duo Press,

Publication Date:

2016

ISBN:

9781938093531

Publication Information:

New York : Duo Press, 2016.

Call Number:

J 920 CHRISTI

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003195818	Juvenile Nonfiction	920 CHRISTI	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Everyone has played with LEGO® toys, but not many people know who is behind this awesome invention.

This fun and engaging book tells the story of how a Danish carpenter and his family turned a desperate situation into the most popular toy in history. With full-color illustrations and lively text, and chock-full of interesting facts, Awesome Minds: The Inventors of LEGO® Toys is the perfect read for those with creative spirits and curious minds.

This book is an independently authored and published biography of the family that created the LEGO® construction toy and is not sponsored or endorsed by or affiliated in any way with the LEGO Group of companies, owner of the LEGO® trademarks.

Also available:

Awesome Minds: Video Game Creators

Awesome Minds: Comic Book Creators

Awesome Minds: The Creators of the iPhone

Author Notes

Erin Hagar is the author of Julia Child: An Extraordinary Life in Words and Pictures (duopress, 2015) and Doing Her Bit: A Story of the Woman's Land Army of America (Charlesbridge, 2016). After several years working in curriculum and instruction for colleges and universities, she earned her M.F.A. in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She grew up on Maryland's Eastern Shore and now lives in Baltimore with her husband, two children, and a few too many pets Paige Garrison has illustrated several books, including Roanoke Baby and One to Ten LA , as well as assisted with Beach Doodles and 100 Pablo Picassos . Before transitioning to children's books, Paige worked for Bento Box Entertainment on the animated TV shows Bob's Burgers and The Awesomes. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with her loving husband and their silly pup.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 2-5-With fascinating trivia, vibrant cartoonlike illustrations, and a format similar to that of an easy reader, this title has the potential (like LEGOs themselves) to appeal to a variety of ages. Hagar writes in a clear and accessible tone, covering a wide range of LEGO history, from creator Ole Kirk's childhood to present-day initiatives to reduce the use of plastic. This slim volume contains an abundance of information, although the overcrowded layout might distract younger readers (with text, illustrations, sidebars, and diagrams often appearing on a single spread). Sidebars provide historical comparisons, occasionally mentioning complex topics such as friction and carbon footprint (the term carbon footprint is defined in the back glossary, but friction is not). The variation in skill level makes this offering most suitable for confident readers. VERDICT While the length and illustrations might attract young readers, this selection is best for upper elementary readers with an interest in architecture, inventors, and LEGO history. A sound purchase for most libraries.-Laura Lintz, Henrietta Public Library, Rochester, NY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Hagar and Garrison explain the Lego backstory to readers who can't envision a time before the interlocking bricks. The beloved toys were the brainchild of a Danish carpenter, Ole Kirk Christiansen, who developed the idea with the help of his son, Godtfred. Hagar describes Christiansen's early attempts to create a toy that would sell big; he even rode the wave of the yo-yo's popularity, which taught him, "Don't worry about what's popular. Instead, make good toys that give kids new ways to play." As the manufacturing of plastic expanded, Christiansen bought an injection-molding machine for his burgeoning toy company in 1947 and began making prototypes of the now-iconic plastic bricks. Hagar's conversational narration and an early reader-esque format, augmented by sidebars and Garrison's efficient cartooning, should make the book particularly appealing to newly independent readers-and Lego devotees, of course. Ages 7-12. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.