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Lego Nonfiction
Planets (LEGO Nonfiction): A LEGO Adventure in the Real World
Blast off with the LEGO(R) minifigures through our solar system and beyond! See incredible stars and planets and find out the latest space facts--from water on Mars to Planet X. The LEGO minifigures put the fun into facts. You'll find great LEGO building ideas, too!
LEGO(R) minifigures show you the world in a unique nonfiction program. This book is part of a program of LEGO nonfiction books, with something for all the family, at every age and stage. LEGO nonfiction books have amazing facts, beautiful real-world photos, and minifigures everywhere, leading the fun and discovery.
LEGO(R) minifigures show you the world in a unique nonfiction program. This book is part of a program of LEGO nonfiction books, with something for all the family, at every age and stage. LEGO nonfiction books have amazing facts, beautiful real-world photos, and minifigures everywhere, leading the fun and discovery.
64 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 23, 2016
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsnon...
In this informative introductory guide, LEGO borrows heavily from NASA images and taps a comic-style to walk kids through our solar system—and beyond.
Planet stats include: Material composition, Distance from the sun, number of probe missions, and notation on any existing moons or rings. Most planets receive at least a two-page spread, although Uranus and Neptune share presentation space. Sections are also devoted to the sun, constellations, Earth’s moon, the asteroid belt, space suits and space walks, Voyager 1, and Exoplanets. Fans of Pluto will be glad to find that the recently downgraded dwarf planet does receive a strong nod, along with a reference to the controversy.
Although a cast of LEGO characters is featured sometimes in comic panels or scattered about on nearly every page, there isn’t an actual story going on—just implied shenanigans and semi-amusing commentary. I was concerned my kids might find this too random, but they seemed to enjoy the regular breaks in between factual tidbits. The actual photos vary widely in quality, but while this may snag the attention of adults, it isn’t likely to disrupt the learning process for the intended age range (6-8 years). However, the recurring LEGO allusion to intelligent alien life may result in confused impressions that parents will want to be present to clear up.
All in all, a busy-yet-fun tool for introducing concepts of space exploration to kids grades 1-3. Even parents are likely to pick up a number of interesting factoids they may not have previously known—particularly regarding NASA’s equipment and exploration efforts.
In this informative introductory guide, LEGO borrows heavily from NASA images and taps a comic-style to walk kids through our solar system—and beyond.
Planet stats include: Material composition, Distance from the sun, number of probe missions, and notation on any existing moons or rings. Most planets receive at least a two-page spread, although Uranus and Neptune share presentation space. Sections are also devoted to the sun, constellations, Earth’s moon, the asteroid belt, space suits and space walks, Voyager 1, and Exoplanets. Fans of Pluto will be glad to find that the recently downgraded dwarf planet does receive a strong nod, along with a reference to the controversy.
Although a cast of LEGO characters is featured sometimes in comic panels or scattered about on nearly every page, there isn’t an actual story going on—just implied shenanigans and semi-amusing commentary. I was concerned my kids might find this too random, but they seemed to enjoy the regular breaks in between factual tidbits. The actual photos vary widely in quality, but while this may snag the attention of adults, it isn’t likely to disrupt the learning process for the intended age range (6-8 years). However, the recurring LEGO allusion to intelligent alien life may result in confused impressions that parents will want to be present to clear up.
All in all, a busy-yet-fun tool for introducing concepts of space exploration to kids grades 1-3. Even parents are likely to pick up a number of interesting factoids they may not have previously known—particularly regarding NASA’s equipment and exploration efforts.
January 26, 2019
My sons both love LEGOs. They weren't DUPLO lovers, but as soon as they discovered LEGO Junior kits, LEGO videos, and the LEGO movies, they were all in. Now, LEGO early readers are favorite solo reads. My son Harry picked out Planets: A LEGO Adventure in the Real World in the gift shop at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum and barely let go of it for days. It does an amazing job of combining these favorite building toys with real-world photography, lots of facts about planets, and LEGO building ideas.
Harry is a reader, so he is able to manage most of the text on his own, but wouldn't normally try to read a book that is this text-heavy. It's clear that the LEGO art makes all the difference. He's super motivated by it.
These LEGO early readers don't make for good read-alouds, but I love having a pile of them around to encourage solo reading and it's easy to tuck one into my purse for a waiting room emergency. My son Luke enjoys looking at the pictures of LEGO mini-figures.
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I review children's books from the perspective of a parent of two kids with autism. This review is part of a list of 20 recommended picture books with space themes for autistic kids, which can be found on my blog: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/20-pic...
Harry is a reader, so he is able to manage most of the text on his own, but wouldn't normally try to read a book that is this text-heavy. It's clear that the LEGO art makes all the difference. He's super motivated by it.
These LEGO early readers don't make for good read-alouds, but I love having a pile of them around to encourage solo reading and it's easy to tuck one into my purse for a waiting room emergency. My son Luke enjoys looking at the pictures of LEGO mini-figures.
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I review children's books from the perspective of a parent of two kids with autism. This review is part of a list of 20 recommended picture books with space themes for autistic kids, which can be found on my blog: https://www.lineupthebooks.com/20-pic...
February 7, 2017
Capitalizing on the popularity of LEGOs, Scholastic has paired the models and minifigures with real-world adventures to create a new reading program with mixed success. In Planets, slightly older readers join the LEGO minifigures on a journey through the solar system and beyond, where they encounter incredible stars and planets, find out the latest space facts, and find LEGO building ideas. The main problem I have with the books in this series are the layout - they are extremely busy and disjointed. Real world photographs and factual text are paired with comic strip drawings of the LEGO figures and their own thought bubbles which clutters up the page - am I reading the factual text, am I following the LEGO commentary or am I expected to do both at the same time. Unlike the leveled reader series, there is more factual information in this series - though it is still better suited to browsing than actual research, and the color commentary by the LEGO minifigures is more interesting and applicable to the subject at hand.
January 25, 2019
From Kyndel: This books gives lots of facts about stars, planets, and things launched into space. If you want this book for a space lesson, you’ll have to check this book out. It’s cool and gives lots of space facts!
February 22, 2019
Lots of quality informaiton about space here, plus some silly LEGO related humor. This book was published in 2016 and has up to date info about ISS as well as various satelites, probes, and telescopes. I have been impressed with both LEGO nonfiction books we have read so far.
August 8, 2017
Appropriate format for children.. I like the lego building suggestions throughout the book.
February 24, 2023
So this book is clearly for children but I ended up reading it cover to cover in the Herschel Museum of Astronomy and loved it haha. Embarrassingly, I found parts of it to be quite educational as a 27 year old adult 😂
March 6, 2017
Nice images, brief facts, and entertaining lego interjections. Great for kids who like legos and space like my six-year-old.
June 11, 2016
Planets is one of the first books in a Lego-themed nonfiction series published by Scholastic. The series is being marketed as "a Lego adventure in the real world."
What I liked about this one:
I enjoyed the nonfiction narrative text. The main narrative text keeps things moving. Just a few sentences per page. Each two-page spread features more text: side bars, charts, captions for photographs, etc.
I enjoyed the layout. Big, bright, bold, colorful photographs.
I enjoyed two out of the three Lego features. Some spreads include a "build it" feature. Other spreads include a "play it" feature.
What I didn't really like:
I mentioned liking two out of the three lego features of this one. The third feature, the one that predominates the book, is the dialogue between Lego minifigures. These conversations are found in speech bubbles and are heavy on bad jokes. They add no intelligence to the book, in other words.
They are illustrated minifigures, by the way.
What I liked about this one:
I enjoyed the nonfiction narrative text. The main narrative text keeps things moving. Just a few sentences per page. Each two-page spread features more text: side bars, charts, captions for photographs, etc.
I enjoyed the layout. Big, bright, bold, colorful photographs.
I enjoyed two out of the three Lego features. Some spreads include a "build it" feature. Other spreads include a "play it" feature.
p. 37 Build it! Your astronauts need a space base. Design a space station. Here are some of the important partss. Solar panels. Living quarters. Docking station. Viewing window. Laboratory. Radiator.
p. 19 Play it! Take your astronauts to the Moon and help them explore. What will they find?
p. 26 Play it! Take your rover and astronauts to Mars! It's a whole new world of adventure. What will they find on the Red Planet? Will they be safe?
What I didn't really like:
I mentioned liking two out of the three lego features of this one. The third feature, the one that predominates the book, is the dialogue between Lego minifigures. These conversations are found in speech bubbles and are heavy on bad jokes. They add no intelligence to the book, in other words.
They are illustrated minifigures, by the way.
August 9, 2016
more educational, non-fiction still cool
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January 7, 2019legotastic!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews