Ole kirk christiansen lego biography books
Home / Scientists & Inventors / Ole kirk christiansen lego biography books
His family still owns the business, and people around the world are still enjoying LEGO. I remember Kjeld said to me: “I get that LEGO employees have to know the story of my family and the company, but why the whole world?” My straight answer was: “Because it’s all about creativity, innovation, passion, faith, will and togetherness.
Features include audio, author/illustrator biography, comprehension questions, educational front/back matter, full-color illustrations, glossary of key words, index, note to parents and educators, and table of contents.
What do wooden ducks, devastating fires, and billions of colorful bricks have in common? Is it difficult to get so close to the people you write about that you feel that you’re able to tell the story from their perspective?
JA: No, not really.
Although I am working with lots of empathy and a never resting curiosity, I always try to keep an arm’s length to the main character in my biographies.
Our books showcase extraordinary perseverance, creativity, and the hard work that brings ideas to life.
For curious kids ages 8–14 who dream of doing something big - and want to know how real people made it happen.
Each biography in our series:
- Uses engaging storytelling that brings business concepts to life
- Shows both the successes AND failures that shaped these founders
- Includes interactive elements to build entrepreneurial thinking
- Inspires children to see themselves as potential creators and problem-solvers
Start your child's journey into the mindset of successful founders with the true story of Pleasant Rowland and the dolls that changed how we think about play and history!
Because your child deserves more than just stories — they deserve examples of courage, creativity, and the power to build something meaningful.
Ole Kirk Christiansen
Who tried again and again to make toys for children to buy and love?
Let me put it this way: Kjeld and I were never friends during the process, but indeed friendly—and mutually respectful, not to forget! Downloadable Teacher Notes available.
| Format | List Price | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|---|
979-8-8945-9119-3 | $29.27 | $21.95 | |
979-8-8945-9124-7 | $9.45 | $8.45 | |
979-8-8945-9129-2 | $24.00 | $24.00 | |
979-8-8945-9344-9 | $28.00 | $28.00 |
The LEGO Story: Preserving a Life With LEGO in a Book
BN: You are an experienced writer and author, and you have written biographies about the Danish Royal Family, among others.
Kjeld really liked my idea that the story of LEGO and the Kirk Kristiansen family could be seen and understood through the changes in society’s view on children, childhood and the importance of play.
BN: In the foreword, you mention that you got the idea for the book in the fall of 2019, so I assume you approached Kjeld not long after that.
Was it difficult to persuade him?
JA: During our very first meeting I felt he was a bit reluctant, or maybe hesitant is a better word. What happened next revolutionized play for millions of kids worldwide.
Inside, you'll find:
- The real story behind a company that survived fires, war, and economic depression
- The wooden duck lesson that created LEGO's "Only the best is good enough" motto
- The great plastic gamble that changed everything
- A Young Founder's Workbook to develop your own big ideas
- Fun trivia game to test your knowledge
- A helpful Founder's Glossary explaining business terms in kid-friendly language
Part of the Founders for Kids series, where each book features an entrepreneur who turned an idea into something extraordinary—through failure, courage, and persistence.
A true fairy tale, that Hans Christian Andersen couldn’t have written any better.”
.
Through hard work, he invented LEGO bricks. Ole Kirk Kristiansen — and the remarkable story behind LEGO.His story takes you from a poor shepherd boy in rural Denmark to creating one of the world's most beloved toys that has sparked the imagination of children for generations.
This true story shows what can happen when someone combines quality craftsmanship with bold innovation.
The Danish carpenter overcame poverty and other hardships to keep building and creating new products. With interactive elements and kid-friendly business terms, this series builds confidence, creativity, and critical thinking.
Why Parents & Educators Love It
- Builds real-world skills through stories of persistence, creative problem-solving, and believing in your ideas
- Supports classroom discussions about entrepreneurship, American history, and women in business
- Makes complex business concepts understandable with age-appropriate language that maintains depth
- Encourages critical thinking as kids analyze the decisions Pleasant made throughout her journey
- Provides positive role models who achieved success through hard work rather than luck or magic
- Balances entertainment with education in a way that keeps kids eagerly turning pages
What Kids Will Learn
Young readers will pick up powerful entrepreneurial thinking skills, including:
- Spotting Problems: How Pleasant saw a need others missed — and acted on it.
- Staying Persistent: What she did when experts told her it wouldn't work.
- Understanding Money: Real-world examples of how businesses earn and spend.
- Doing Research: Why Pleasant asked smart questions before making big moves.
- Taking Smart Risks: The difference between reckless chances and bold thinking.
About the Founders for Kids Series
"Reading biography is one of the most effective ways to learn the arts of leadership and character." - David McCullough
Behind every great creation stands a person with the courage to pursue it.
Ole Kirk Chistiansen!