For those who have just joined the Book Nook party, book nooks are mini dioramas designed to sit between your actual books on a shelf, like a secret world peeking out from between the pages. I found the concept of book nooks utterly charming, but never got around to getting one since it’s not readily available off the shelf where I live. So when I heard that Lego had launched a Book Nook based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, the world’s most famous literary detective, I was totally intrigued. I checked it (LEGO Icons 10351: Sherlock Holmes Book Nook ) out online, and here is what I found. The LEGO book nook based on the Sherlock Holmes universe, opens up into the foggy charm of Victorian London, complete with Baker Street facades, a bookshop with a revolving display, a shadowy residence, and, of course, 221B, Holmes’ apartment—complete with his fireplace, violin, and clue board.
At 1,359 pieces, this set is rich with story and detail. It includes five minifigures—Holmes, Watson, Irene Adler, Moriarty, and Paige (new mystery – who is this?) —making it a collector’s dream and a mini literary universe. While it’s officially designed for adults, I think it would be a great set for a young LEGO builder and (to-be?) reader. If your child loves mysteries, it might be a fun idea for them (and you!) to spend some time during the summer holidays putting this set together. You could use the LEGO set as a pivot to introduce the Sherlock Holmes books to your child. Avid middle schoolers who are mystery lovers will love the books, and if your child is too young to read the books independently, why not consider reading the books aloud to your child? Reading aloud is one of the most effective ways to build a love of reading in children, creating a bond between a parent and child, and it can be a spark for your child to pick up and read challenging books.
The LEGO set is a happy marriage for those with a foot in both worlds: one where bricks snap together with satisfying clicks, and one where stories unfold with every turned page. If anyone out there is listening, I would be totally up for grabbing a book nook based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"! Fingers crossed!
Ending with a question: Are you more excited about building the LEGO set or reading the books to your child?
PS: I don't have an affiliation with LEGO and will not benefit from your buying the set. :)
PPS: Can someone throw light on who the mysterious Paige is among the mini figurines?
