Book Review: Friends – Build Your Own Adventure

RRP $39.99
Available from most retailers

The Book

The Friends Build Your Own Adventure book is a new entry from DK books. Unlike older books that featured a selection of bricks, this title features a single set (and minidoll) with the book serving as inspiration for future building.

I suspect that there is going to be a mixed response to the format – some young LEGO fans might find it frustrating that they can’t build everything that they see in the book. It’s important to go into the book knowing what it is.

The book opens with the instructions for the included set then a few pages of introduction. There are profiles of the main Friends characters, and nice explanation of how the book works.

Friends Page Feature01

I really liked the Builder Talk section which contains a visual glossary of different LEGO elements. There is also a section on sideways building, which has always been considered a more advanced technique.

The book is then split into five different chapters; Picnic at the park, The horse show, Heartlake City carnival, Adventure weekend and Surprise party. Each chapter has a different focus and overall style. The horse show section is all about horse jumping and grooming, while the carnival chapter features some really cool instrument builds.

I felt that the somewhat realistic setting of Heartlake City made the builds more interesting. I like seeing how the designers used parts to make something that actually exists over seeing something purely fictional. Sure a vehicle with spinning saw blades on the front is fun but that brick-built drum set is impressive because it looks like a real drum set. I think it also helps that the Friends models could also be used in a City setting.

There are quite a few larger builds that are broken down so that you can recreate them exactly. I’m not a big fan of these – it seems less likely that you’ll have all of the parts for these in your collection. Luckily I think this book has a good balance between these and sections that are more broad. While there are big things like a tractor and float, there is also small things like lots of different ways to create food.

I also spotted a few sections where the book tells you that a single piece can be used in lots of different ways; which I think helps create a mindset of creativity.

Friends Page Feature02

The set

Unlike some LEGO books that just feature a single minifigure, the Build Your Own Adventure book comes with an actual model to build. The Friends Build Your Own Adventure book includes an exclusive Liza’s Touring Car set that comes with a Liza Minidoll.

So far Liza has only appeared in one set (41039 Sunshine Ranch) and her appearance here is unique. She features her usual long blonde hair, a green striped shirt and pink shorts.

Liza Minidoll

Liza’s Touring Car is a fun little build. There are no innovative or tricky techniques here, but this is a book for intended for younger Friends fan, so I don’t see that as a complaint.

The car features the classic Friends colour scheme, with plenty of pastel pink and purple pieces. There is also a few lime green pieces in the finished model too. I’m not sure if it’s intentional or not but the car perfectly matches Liza’s attire.

Lizas Touring Car

The finished model is very cute. The proportions seem a little bit off though – it’s quite a squat little car. It’s practically square.

Lizas Touring Car Rear

If you’re happy for your Friends to literally rub shoulders then you can fit two minidolls inside the car. One minidoll fits better, but two is doable.

Liza and Emma

Emma minidoll not included added for illustrative purposes only.

In Conclusion

I have a confession to make – after reviewing this book and the LEGO Friends Adventure Guide I am really starting to like the Friends theme. I am a sucker for good world-building and Heartlake City feels like a real (albeit fantastical) place.

The Build Your Own Adventure book includes a great selection of builds. The models seem quite approachable and I like that there were lots of different version of the same thing shown; for example there is a page with lots of different ways to make sandwiches. While there were larger models included, it seemed that there were more smaller builds and sections on adding detail or colour.

Even if you aren’t a Friends fan I suggest having a look at this book.

Bricking Around was sent a copy of Friends: Build Your Own Adventure to review by Penguin Australia.

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