21326 Winnie the Pooh Review

Theme: LEGO Ideas
No: 21326
Release Year: 2021
Cost: AU $159.99
Pieces: 1265 pieces (with 5 minifigures)

One set I’ve really been looking forward to getting my hands on (more for my four year old daughter) was another amazing inclusion in the LEGO Ideas theme – 21326 Winnie the Pooh. While the works of A. A. Milne are not brand new to The LEGO Group, having been seen in many DUPLO sets before, this is the first time they’ve appeared in System.

The idea originally came from benlouisa on LEGO Ideas, and it’s been improved dramatically while still retaining the original design by Ben Alder. The subject matter is absolutely iconic, turning 95 last year. This also means that the original book depiction of Pooh is now in the public domain (but the red shirt wearing bear of very little brain we see here is still property of Disney). Anyway, back to the LEGO set. There are five minifigures included – Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Rabbit, Tigger and Eeyore.

Much like 21324 123 Sesame Street, this set really hits the nostalgia feels hard, with many adults wanting this set – not just for smaller LEGO fans they know, but for themselves. I certainly fit in to that category! There’s Pooh’s charming little house built into the back of a large tree. What’s unique about this tree is how the canopy has been constructed, but we’ll get to that in a second.
I don’t normally mention the instruction manuals, but this one is really nice. It’s not got black pages, which is great, and the artwork inside matches very well to the subject matter. Speaking of artwork, there are a few stickers in the set – 10 on regular sticker paper, and two on the metallic foil sheet – for the mirror.

The minifigures look fantastic. With specifically moulded heads, they’re a lot of fun. The only two I’m not sold on is Piglet, as the scale is slightly out and his head is too tall, and Eeyore, only because he can’t be positioned any other way. There’s no real need for it though, as he’s still got the forlorn look, spot on for his character. Pooh has a balloon (from when he disguised himself as a rain cloud to get some honey), Rabbit has a carrot, Piglet has a red scarf, and Tigger carries a bag. Pooh has a print on his torso that mimics the short red tshirt he’s got on, but while it’s visible on the front and back, the sides are red. It also doesn’t quite match the yellow of the legs, which has always been a problem for LEGO. Here’s hoping they start to incorporate dual moulded torsos. Tigger is my stand out minifigure – the printing is incredible.

The build is enjoyable, with the entrance and split floor being created, with the upper half of the tree being added separately. The six foliage sections are repetitive, and they only cover half of the tree, with the back half devoid of leaves, which is a shame. The roof of the house is also quite repetitive, but the tiled effect is lovely. There’s also a sign to the 100 Acre Wood as well. I kind of wish this was written out in full as Hundred, but never mind.

The inside of the house is crammed full of details, so it looks rather silly when closed and viewed without a roof or attic, but when opened it works well. I love the bold blue accents through the house in the bed and the curtains. Aside from that, the house is very simple.

Favourite details include the two beehives with the bees spinning around the bases – the bee tiles are delightful! I love the use of recoloured green coral elements – you get a whopping 24 of them, the bees and hives, the 45 degree curved elements that make up the big root, and of course the pots with “hunny” printed on them! These are so great, and with a transparent yellow stud and tile in them, they just complete the set. No Pooh set is done without honey. There’s also a Pooh story book, about Pooh with the red balloon, and Ben A written on a sticker in the inside cover as a nod to Ben Alder, the fan designer. Lastly, there’s a nice little red snail hidden around the side. Did they use a poo element for the shell on purpose, as another nod to the subject matter?

I also really like how the green grass mounds are created, using corner angled wedge bricks, slopes and the minifigure action stands for the leaves. These were not easy to get in place, but they work really well.

There are some really nice techniques in play for this set, and it comes together as a cute and eye catching build that is bound to bring people over. I’ve got it on display at my library at the moment, and there has been so many people coming over to have a look – kids and adults alike. I’m glad they went with the cuter Disney versions of the character as opposed to the original designs – they translate much better to a LEGO build. What a set!

A special thank you to LEGO for sending me a copy to review. All thoughts on this set are my own and are not influenced in any way, shape or form. The provision of sets for review does not guarantee a favourable review.