Robert Super, 10, loves playing with Legos, and when he heard about the Haywood County Library’s Lego Extravaganza building competition, he knew it was the contest for him.

“I just had to enter it,” he said.

The annual competition invites children ages 5 to 15 to build whatever their imaginations can invent out of Legos within a two-hour time span. The only catch is that whatever they build has to be based on a book they’ve read. In addition, the competitors have to make a presentation board and explain their design to the judges.

“It’s a great way to connect reading and playing,” said children’s librarian Carole Dennis. “I think one of the keys for becoming a lifelong reader is that sense of play to find it fun and entertaining.”

The Lego Extravaganza used to be held at the main library ...