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Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 5:31 am
by Stokesy44
Curious and curiouser, I have gone down the rabbit hole on this one.

I saw an advert on social media for something called a Book Nook or a Nook Tale. It was advertised as a type of book end and came in various types. Made up of laser cut wooden pieces, printed paper and LED light kits, the subjects available included a wand shop, a coffee house, a book shop, a home library and various other kits all made up in the same way.

I'll admit it, I was fascinated. A friend of mine likes her art and crafts and with Christmas coming I thought what a lovely gift. I did my research, watched some build videos and checked if I needed anything else such as tools or glue. The consensus seemed to be wood glue, a miniature hammer and batteries for the lights. Nothing worse than receiving a gift you cant work on because you need to buy stuff for it. I went for something with a bit of a fantasy element and settled on a miniature wand shop for my friend. I sallied forth on Amazon to buy it and the extra bits and bobs.

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It arrived in a beautifully sealed box and it looks like a lovely gift. The problem was I couldn't check the quality without opening it while at the same time I was really beginning to think I fancied making one myself. After about a week I finally pulled the pin and bought one, not the same one but something similar.

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It arrived yesterday morning and I started it yesterday afternoon. Questions to be answered were, is it as advertised? Is the quality there? Are the instructions sensible? The great news is, its all good and over the course of about 4 hours yesterday and had an absolute ball.

Off we go.

The box isnt anywhere near as nice as the wand shop but hey, it was intact and that's what matters.

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The lighting kit is on top then you can see the pack of laser cut wooden boards

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Sticky paper for the book covers and pages for the open books.

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The light comes with a motion sensor, how cool is that?

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Then it was time to get started, first up was a grandfather clock! Bit different to an aircraft cockpit or the running gear on a tank :crazy:

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Positioned on the floor of the shop.

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I am seriously impressed with the quality. The instructions are intuitive and the pieces fit together really nicely, no glue needed, just a really nice fit.

Books and book case

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Tiny little blocks are provided for the books. These books dont go on the book stand, there are pre-painted blocks for that.

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Glued the books on the stand then located the stand in the relevant floor connectors. The print quality is superb.

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Shelves for the stand alone unit on the right side wall

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Wall dressing

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Left rear corner. All the shelf detail is preformed, all that is required is to glue the panel inserts to the back of the frame and the shelves are fully stocked, genius

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Front panel including shop door attached

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Walls added - the warp is the camera! They are flat in real life :lol:

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That's as far as I got yesterday. Still got some greeblies for the walls to do, the whole shop front and roof, and the light.

Great fun but not sure it belongs on here :crazy:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 9:01 am
by RangerNeil
It comes in bits and requires glue to assemble - I'd say it belongs on here. Might have to invent a new section for it.. :lol:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 5:52 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Super! I love it!!
You are making it look great, this will be excellent on someone’s bookshelf

Have seen these on FB with different themes.
A mini diorama book end for the bookshelf you tuck in amongst books. Some are premade
I went for LOTR Tolkien one for my daughter a few years ago
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This is what came
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It is horrific and smelled as bad as it looks. Binned immediately
:lol:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 7:43 pm
by Stokesy44
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 5:52 pm Super! I love it!!
You are making it look great, this will be excellent on someone’s bookshelf

Have seen these on FB with different themes.
A mini diorama book end for the bookshelf you tuck in amongst books. Some are premade
I went for LOTR Tolkien one for my daughter a few years ago
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This is what came
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It is horrific and smelled as bad as it looks. Binned immediately
:lol:
Oh dear! No 5 star rating then. I hate it when you get stung by the old 'not as advertised' rip off.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2025 11:10 pm
by digger303
I've seen these kits over the last year and have been very interested, but not enough as yet to go buy one. I was thinking like you it might be a nice gift for my daughter and her new house .....if she liked it and had a bookcase or mantle.
Are these what you would call a light box ?
Great to see your enjoying it so much and it is as good as the advertising portrays it.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
:cheers2:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 3:16 am
by DRUMS01
I would call it FUN…

I’m grateful you have shared it with us, as I, like others, have been thinking of buying one of these type kits for a while.

I think it shares similarities with card stock type model kits.

Perhaps it is time to create a subject class for building architectural kits of all mediums. This would fit nicely.

Ben

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 7:21 am
by Stokesy44
digger303 wrote: Sun Nov 23, 2025 11:10 pm I've seen these kits over the last year and have been very interested, but not enough as yet to go buy one. I was thinking like you it might be a nice gift for my daughter and her new house .....if she liked it and had a bookcase or mantle.
Are these what you would call a light box ?
Great to see your enjoying it so much and it is as good as the advertising portrays it.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
:cheers2:
I've not seen them referenced as a 'light box', only as a Book Nook or a Nook Tale on the Nook Tales website.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 7:24 am
by Stokesy44
DRUMS01 wrote: Mon Nov 24, 2025 3:16 am I would call it FUN…

I’m grateful you have shared it with us, as I, like others, have been thinking of buying one of these type kits for a while.

I think it shares similarities with card stock type model kits.

Perhaps it is time to create a subject class for building architectural kits of all mediums. This would fit nicely.

Ben
Sounds like a good idea.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 4:07 pm
by MrBowcat
Excellent build. :)

I built the Magic World Book Nook with my daughter a couple of months ago, very enjoyable.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 4:21 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Book nook, that’s what they are called!

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 8:03 pm
by Stokesy44
Finished off today.

Added the front panel and plumbed in the light. Overall a very pleasant experience and given the Black Friday deals on Amazon there's another one on its way. :crazy:

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I like the extra decoration at the top of the front panel, it shows someone has thought about breaking up the outline of the box.

And now with the light on. You turn it on by touching the roof on the front left corner, this corresponds to the sensor attached inside, same for turning it off. Proper clever.

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I turned off the desk light to get a better view

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I may have been seeing things earlier but I'm sure I saw Bob Cratchit on his way home with Tiny Tim looking in the shop window. ;)

So there it is. A very pleasant experience. Would I recommend it? Well, lets just say I enjoyed the build and leave it there.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 8:08 pm
by Stokesy44
MrBowcat wrote: Mon Nov 24, 2025 4:07 pm Excellent build. :)

I built the Magic World Book Nook with my daughter a couple of months ago, very enjoyable.
Thanks.

I Googled the Magic World kit. That's a nice looking one :th:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:08 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
That is magnificent David :th:
:banana: :banana: :banana:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:34 pm
by digger303
Yeah that's a great outcome.
I do like them even more now.
:clap: :dance: :clap:
:cheers2:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2025 4:59 pm
by SteelScooter
Lovely! Book nooks are definitely gaining in popularity lately. With kits and scratchbuilt dioramas appearing on the net. They are designed to brighten up your bookshelf and bring a bit of whimsy and artistury to your boring book spines. Lego have even been releasing Book Nook sets lately, my favourite being the Sherlock Holmes one. I am tempted but knowing me I would end up with more nooks than books. :think:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 6:33 am
by Stokesy44
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:08 pm That is magnificent David :th:
:banana: :banana: :banana:
digger303 wrote: Mon Nov 24, 2025 11:34 pm Yeah that's a great outcome.
I do like them even more now.
:clap: :dance: :clap:
:cheers2:
SteelScooter wrote: Wed Nov 26, 2025 4:59 pm Lovely! Book nooks are definitely gaining in popularity lately. With kits and scratchbuilt dioramas appearing on the net. They are designed to brighten up your bookshelf and bring a bit of whimsy and artistury to your boring book spines. Lego have even been releasing Book Nook sets lately, my favourite being the Sherlock Holmes one. I am tempted but knowing me I would end up with more nooks than books. :think:
Thanks Gentlemen. It seems the more you look, the more there are out there. I've just taken delivery of another one, this one's called an Ancient Book Collection Room. Looks to be the same quality but its got balcony sections and a beautiful rickety staircase to go in. Cant wait! :crazy:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:37 pm
by MrBowcat
I watch a channel on YouTube called NerdForge.

They scratch built a book nook, it was an old style alleyway. It was L shaped so started off as a normal book nook, then angled off at 90 degrees to continue behind the books on the shelf. With a mirror at the junction it looked like a really long alleyway stretching off into the distance. Clever.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 11:35 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
I ordered the same one for my daughter’s Christmas gift
Get them off Amazon, almost half the price of Face book
Thinking of a Harry Potter one for myself

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2025 11:40 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
MrBowcat wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:37 pm I watch a channel on YouTube called NerdForge.

They scratch built a book nook, it was an old style alleyway. It was L shaped so started off as a normal book nook, then angled off at 90 degrees to continue behind the books on the shelf. With a mirror at the junction it looked like a really long alleyway stretching off into the distance. Clever.
You sent me there. That NF chick is crazy!
I watched the coffee table episode with much interest. Have a similar project in my noggin

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2025 4:27 am
by digger303
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Fri Dec 05, 2025 11:35 pm I ordered the same one for my daughter’s Christmas gift
Get them off Amazon, almost half the price of Face book
Thinking of a Harry Potter one for myself
I've done the same and bought my daughter and her partner one each. They will either love them or hate me for it :think: :lol:
:th:
:cheers2:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2025 8:02 am
by Stokesy44
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Fri Dec 05, 2025 11:35 pm I ordered the same one for my daughter’s Christmas gift
Get them off Amazon, almost half the price of Face book
Thinking of a Harry Potter one for myself
The nooks on Amazon are really well priced. For what you get in the box and the enjoyment to be had, they are great value.

I'm in the finishing stages of my second one, its got 2 levels, 5 lights and the detail on each laser cut board has been superb. The box was absolutely stuffed with boards and bits and you wonder how the finished product ever fit in there. And all for £25.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 5:20 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Stokesy44 wrote: Sat Dec 06, 2025 8:02 am
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Fri Dec 05, 2025 11:35 pm I ordered the same one for my daughter’s Christmas gift
Get them off Amazon, almost half the price of Face book
Thinking of a Harry Potter one for myself
The nooks on Amazon are really well priced. For what you get in the box and the enjoyment to be had, they are great value.

I'm in the finishing stages of my second one, its got 2 levels, 5 lights and the detail on each laser cut board has been superb. The box was absolutely stuffed with boards and bits and you wonder how the finished product ever fit in there. And all for £25.
It got delivered last night :banana: :banana: :banana:
All I can do to not tear into it and build it myself :whistle:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2025 11:39 pm
by Stokesy44
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Dec 08, 2025 5:20 pm
It got delivered last night :banana: :banana: :banana:
All I can do to not tear into it and build it myself :whistle:
That is the exact reaction I had when the one I bought for my friend's Christmas present arrived. 2 builds later and I'm hooked.

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 4:43 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Stokesy44 wrote: Mon Dec 08, 2025 11:39 pm
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Dec 08, 2025 5:20 pm
It got delivered last night :banana: :banana: :banana:
All I can do to not tear into it and build it myself :whistle:
That is the exact reaction I had when the one I bought for my friend's Christmas present arrived. 2 builds later and I'm hooked.
I will hold my water and wait until Boxing Day
Have an s load of projects already, but those Harry Potter ones are calling me!

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 6:01 am
by digger303
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Tue Dec 09, 2025 4:43 am
Stokesy44 wrote: Mon Dec 08, 2025 11:39 pm
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Dec 08, 2025 5:20 pm
It got delivered last night :banana: :banana: :banana:
All I can do to not tear into it and build it myself :whistle:
That is the exact reaction I had when the one I bought for my friend's Christmas present arrived. 2 builds later and I'm hooked.
I will hold my water and wait until Boxing Day
Have an s load of projects already, but those Harry Potter ones are calling me!
Adult diapers ..... :lol: :lol:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2025 10:51 am
by Garion77
lovely and original projet I think. Can be beautiful in a home decor. I think I'll check online to find one for my son

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2025 5:08 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
My daughter loved the gift and put it all together Christmas afternoon!
Then she re-arranged her huge bookshelf and is looking into more of these🤣
Nailed the gift, thanks David!

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2025 8:32 pm
by Stokesy44
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Fri Dec 26, 2025 5:08 pm My daughter loved the gift and put it all together Christmas afternoon!
Then she re-arranged her huge bookshelf and is looking into more of these🤣
Nailed the gift, thanks David!
Excellent. Sounds like she's hooked, same as me. I start my 4th one tomorrow! :crazy:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2025 11:40 pm
by digger303
My daughter loved hers too, but is yet to assemble it.
:cheers2:

Re: Stokesy's I don't even know what to call it

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2025 7:46 am
by Stokesy44
digger303 wrote: Fri Dec 26, 2025 11:40 pm My daughter loved hers too, but is yet to assemble it.
:cheers2:
I've started a movement here!