ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Members of the Hollan Publishing team, John McCann, Monica Sweeney, and Becky Thomas all collaborated to make Brick Shakespeare possible.

John McCann, Brick Engineer: John designed, constructed, and photographed the brick scenes. A New England native, John has over two decades of experience playing with LEGO® bricks. He enjoys relaxing lakeside and can solve a Rubik’s Cube in three days flat. John has a BS in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Hartford and is currently pursuing his Masters. This is his first book.

Monica Sweeney, Shakespeare Wrangler: Monica selected and interpreted Shakespeare scenes for construction and wrote corresponding narratives. Monica loves all things related to Spain and Chaucer, and has yet to say no to a mini powdered doughnut. She graduated with honors in English from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. Monica and Becky have written several bestselling works together.

Becky Thomas, Shakespeare Wrangler: Becky selected and interpreted Shakespeare scenes for construction and wrote corresponding narratives. In her spare time, she enjoys breaking the bindings of all books Jane Austen, playing video games, and trying out new recipes. She lives with her husband, Patrick, and her cat, Leo. She graduated with honors in English from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.


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The Brick Bible: The New Testament

A New Spin on the Story of Jesus

by Brendan Powell Smith

From the author of the highly praised and somewhat controversial The Brick Bible: A New Spin on the Old Testament comes the much-anticipated New Testament edition.

For over a decade, Brendan Powell Smith, creator of popular website bricktestament.com, has been hard at work using LEGO® to re-create scenes from the Bible. Now, in one volume, he has brought together over 1,000 “brick” photographs depicting the narrative story of the New Testament. From the life of Jesus—his birth, teachings, and parables—to the famous last supper scene and the crucifixion; from the fate of Judas to the life of Paul and his letters to the Ephesians; from the first book burning to the book of Revelations, this is the New Testament as you’ve never experienced it before.

Smith combines the actual text of the New Testament with his brick photographs to bring to life the teachings, miracles, and prophecies of the most popular book in the world. The graphic novel format makes these well-known Bible stories come to life in a fun and engaging way. And the beauty of The Brick Bible: The New Testament is that everyone, from the devout to nonbelievers, will find something breathtaking, fascinating, or entertaining within this impressive collection.

$19.95 Paperback • ISBN 978-1-62087-1-720

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The Brick Bible

A New Spin on the Old Testament

by Brendan Powell Smith

Brendan Powell Smith has spent the last decade creating nearly 5,000 scenes from the bible—with Legos. His wonderfully original sets are featured on his website, Bricktestament.com, but for the first time, 1,500 photographs of these creative designs—depicting the Old Testament from Earth’s creation to the Books of Kings—are brought together in book format. The Holy Bible is complex; sometimes dark, and other times joyous, and Smith’s masterful work is a far cry from what a small child might build. The beauty of The Brick Bible is that everyone, from the devout to nonbelievers, will find something breathtaking, fascinating, or entertaining within this collection. Smith’s subtle touch brings out the nuances of each scene and makes you reconsider the way you look at LEGOs—it’s something that needs to be seen to be believed.

$19.95 Paperback • ISBN 978-1-61608-421-9

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The Christmas Story

The Brick Bible for Kids

by Brendan Powell Smith

Santa, sleigh bells, mistletoe, reindeer, and presents: these are the tell-tale signs of Christmas. But for Christians, December 25 is also the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and what better way to introduce your kids to the story of the Savior’s birth than through LEGO!

Every year, children of all ages revisit the scene in Bethlehem with Joseph, Mary, the three wise men, the angels and shepherds, and the baby Jesus, swaddled and lying in a manger. Kids will love seeing the story of Christmas played out using their favorite toys. Brendan Powell Smith, author of The Brick Bible for Kids series—beginning with Noah’s Ark—creates a magical “brick” world around the simplified text of the Immaculate Conception, the census, the guiding star high above Bethlehem, and the promise one little baby brings to the Christians of the world. This important Christmas story is sure to be the perfect holiday gift and a book for families to cherish for years to come.

$12.95 Hardcover • ISBN 978-1-62087-173-7

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Noah’s Ark

The Brick Bible for Kids

by Brendan Powell Smith

The story of Noah and his ark full of two of every animal on Earth has been a favorite Bible story of children for years. And now, for the first time, Noah’s Ark is brought to life through LEGOs!

Kids will love seeing the world’s flood and God’s subsequent covenant with Noah to never destroy mankind again played out using their favorite toys. Brendan Powell Smith, creator of bricktestament.com and author of The Brick Bible, creates a magical “brick” world around the simplified text of the story of Noah, the flood, a wooden ark full of animals, and the promise of a rainbow. A story with a powerful message of forgiveness

and love, this is the perfect gift for children.

$12.95 Hardcover • ISBN 978-1-61608-737-1

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David and Goliath

The Brick Bible for Kids

by Brendan Powell Smith

The Philistine army has gathered for a vicious war against King Saul and the Israelites. With great suspense, a Philistine giant named Goliath boldly approaches the Israelites presenting a challenge: Defeat him and the Philistines will forever be their slaves; but if the Israelites lose, then they must become slaves to the Philistines. But who would want to defy such a giant, wearing only the finest armor and carrying the sharpest spear?

Nearby, a young boy named David is told to bring food to his older brothers in the army. When he arrives, he hears of Goliath’s challenge. He offers to face the giant by himself. Goliath is convinced this must be some joke. But don’t underestimate young David! Enjoy reading one of the Bible’s best stories illustrated in LEGO as a family.

$12.95 Hardcover • ISBN 978-1-62087-982-5

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A Million Little Bricks

The Unofficial Illustrated History of the LEGO Phenomenon

by Sarah Herman

There aren’t many titles that haven’t been bestowed on LEGO toys, and it’s not hard to see why. From its inception in the early 1930s right up until today, the LEGO Group’s history is as colorful as the toys it makes. Few other playthings share the LEGO brand’s creative spirit, educative benefits, resilience, quality, and universal appeal. The LEGO name is now synonymous with playtime, but it wasn’t always so. This history charts the birth of the LEGO Group in the workshop of a Danish carpenter and its steady growth as a small, family-run toy manufacturer to its current position as a market-leading, award-winning brand. The company’s ever-increasing catalog of products—including the earliest wooden toys, plastic bricks, play themes, and other building systems such as DUPLO, Technic, and MINDSTORMS—are chronicled in detail, alongside the manufacturing process, LEGOLAND parks, licensed toys, and computer and video games.

Learn all about how LEGO pulled itself out of an economic crisis and embraced technology to make building blocks relevant to twenty-first-century children, and discover the vibrant fan community of kids and adults whose conventions, websites, and artwork keep the LEGO spirit alive. As nostalgic as it is contemporary, A Million Little Bricks will have you reminiscing about old Classic Space sets, rummaging through the attic for forgotten Minifigure friends, and playing with whatever LEGO bricks you can get your hands on (even if it means sharing with your kids).

$16.95 Paperback • ISBN 978-1-62636-118-8

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Battle Bricks

Forty Weapons of Mass Construction

by Jack Mackay

LEGO is fun. So are toy weapons. The only thing more fun is LEGO toy weapons! A compilation of badass brick weapons—some that actually even work—this book is designed for the adult brick enthusiast. Each project is original (i.e., not from a LEGO kit) and is accompanied by how-to schematics and full-color original photographs of the finished object. Dangerous and exciting projects include:

• Tomahawk

• Broadsword

• Claymore (two-handed sword)

• Ninja throwing star

• M1911 pistol

• Siege tower

• Gatling gun

• MK2 grenade

• Scythed chariot

• Paris gun

• Flamethrower

• And many more!

Hobbyists love to make weapons, and this book goes far beyond the kits that are available to showcase forty projects for amazing weapons. The projects range from medieval to modern, from small hand grenades to an actual working guillotine to an assault amphibious vehicle. Battle Bricks will keep adults occupied for hours and is the perfect book for the adult brick enthusiast, weapons hobbyist, or all-around badass!

$17.95 Paperback • ISBN 978-1-62636-304-5