Cool Cars and Trucks [Hardcover]

Sean Kenney (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 1, 2009 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Whether you’d like to build an SUV, an excavator, a tanker truck, or a race car, this hands-on book will show you how. You can create street scenes such as a construction site, a fire rescue, or even a family on moving day. Children of all ages will let their imaginations run wild as they learn that there are no limits to what can be created with LEGO. And instructions are included for several of the models!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–5—Crisp color photographs and diagrams show how to construct various vehicles with Lego blocks, including pocket-size cars and variations on an SUV. Some of the diagrams are confusing, but children with plenty of experience working with Legos should be able to follow the steps. Unfortunately, readers must scan the directions to identify needed pieces; there's no supply list at the beginning of each project. The text is limited. For example, a spread labeled "Taxis of all sizes" says, "If you don't have enough LEGO pieces to build a big car, try making the same car in a smaller size." The book is much narrower in focus than The Ultimate Lego Book (DK, 1999).—Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH
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Review

“Children who love cars, trucks, and LEGO blocks will find plenty to enjoy in this colorful book….  This visually engaging book will attract little ones interested mainly in looking at cars and trucks, as well as older kids, who may actually follow the directions and build some of the projects.”—Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805087613
• ISBN-13: 978-0805087611
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 10.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Cars & Trucks
  • #62 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Crafts & Hobbies

More About the Author

Sean Kenney likes to prove you can make anything with LEGO bricks! He builds everything you can imagine at his New York City studio, inspiring millions to create great things themselves.

He and his work have been seen in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, PBS, BBC, ABC World News, Elle, New York Magazine, and more. His work has been displayed at art galleries, airports, shopping centers, at FAO Schwarz, The Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center.

In 2005, Sean was named a "LEGO Certified Professional", the first of only a handful across the globe.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My 6 years says "It was Cooooooooool and Sean Rocks" October 3, 2009

By Guide Mom

Format:Hardcover

My son is a certified Lego fan. He loves to build cars and has been a car child since 3 years old. He has almost every Lego racer kit on the market. He routinely takes them apart to make a new creations. When I saw this book I knew this was a must have.
From the moment we got the book he has not put it down. We have all recreated a lot of the designs and have been inspired to make new designs. He loves sharing his designs on Sean's website.

This book also makes a great gift for the Lego fan in your life. My son's official review is "This book is awesome. Where is the next one?"

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Mom misunderstood - This is a good book! March 21, 2010

By M. Mitchell

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I originally wrote a review of this book when I first bought it and at that time my Son was younger. At the time he was younger and needed experience. I tried building items in here and cannot but now I realize why. I am one of those people that need Lego instructions because I can only build things that way. My Son is now 6 and can build anything in this book. I would recommend that if you buy this book you purchase it for someone that already has a good working knowledge of building with Legos. It is especially good for someone who builds things free hand (without lego instructions). My Son likes this book so much we just bought the one about building Cool buildings.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book for the budding LEGO fan with a wide assortment of projects to build! December 13, 2009

By D. Fowler TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Sean Kenney was introduced to LEGO bricks when he was a child and obviously the fascination for them never abated because he now is "recognized as one of the premier LEGO brick builders in the world." In this book you can see a photograph of him at work sculpting a bust of a man in his studio. Container after container of LEGOS can be seen on the shelves behind him. Most kids don't have as many blocks as Sean does, but if you have a passion for them and a few containers, you're going to love building some of these cars and trucks in this book!

Some of the cars in this book can be patterned after a single model that you'll have directions for, while other things like simple furniture on the "Moving Day" page can be easily built by the average reader just by looking at them. The first photograph we see is of a car carrier hauling SUVs and they are some cool. In fifteen clearly diagramed steps you can create your own SUV. With a few additions or subtractions you can make a Sports coupe, Pickup truck or a Minivan, each of which are photographed for you to see. Other cars and trucks included are taxis, sporty cars like a police cruiser, airport vehicles, working trucks (heavy equipment), "pocket-sized crazy cars," rescue vehicles, a semi rig, visuals to design your own trucks and more!

This is a great book for the budding LEGO fan with a wide assortment of projects to build. I liked the vibrant colors and theme of the book. Each model that does have directions has step-by-step instructions and illustrations that make building easy and fun. The book also encourages youngsters to be creative and shows additional vehicles that can be made by altering a few simple details or blocks. If you have a LEGO fanatic in the house, this would be a great gift . . . along with a few extra LEGO pieces!