All Rolife book nooks , reviewed , compared and ranked , final thoughts

in this episode we have a full round up and overview of all four rolife book nooks , time travel , sunshine town , sakura densya and magic house, we look at each nook and give our pros and cons, we also offer a simple fix to the defective sunshine town touch switch
contact us at [e-mail]

[@MrSherylwaru]

I really enjoyed this hobby. My first one was sunshine town, I must have known this would be the hardest. Time Travel is next, so its fitting to go from the hardest to the easiest. Thank you for your video.

[@lauraschwalbe7007]

I'm about 70% done with Sunshine Town and I've had no issues to far, the wires and the switch all worked beautifully. Simon's Coffee (also by Rolife) was my first ever building project and this nook is my second, and I was so positively surprised by how much easier Sunshine Town is. I think Rolife's miniature houses are easily 10x more complicated than the nooks, simply because everything in the houses needs to built from scratch. The fact that everything is laser-cut and just needs to be glued and assembled makes the nooks... a whole different experience! Just saying to anyone who has built a nook and want to try out one of the houses (or the other way around) - they are WILDLY different building experiences and require different levels of patience.

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Absolutely the rooms are a lot more involved

[@laurelmckay2514]

thank you

[@michelledepasquale9272]

So I built the Sakura Densya this past week. I have to tell you that I did not enjoy putting it together much. The tabs to fit parts together were a pain to put together. Pieces would fall apart when trying to combine parts. Some of the tabs, I ended up cutting them off and just gluing the parts together instead. Of the four, I've done 2 so far, Sunshine town and Sakura Densya. Minus the wiring uncertainty, I really enjoyed putting Sunshine together. I have since done other brands of book nooks as well, but by far Sunshine Town is my favorite. They seem to multiply around my house!! :)

[@majapopovska9758]

I just built the Sakura one and though I enjoyed tremendously and loooove the result, I found it super annoying that a lot of parts would break and were not provided with extras. What other brands would you recommend??

[@theperson8049]

Leaving a comment here if anyone recommends some other brands, I'm speeding through Rolife!

[@gusy629]

I really want Sunshine. It looks stunning and fascinating.

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Cutebee are good

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Cutebee are good

[@HeyKeito]

I really liked the Sakura one, the only thing I didn't like about it was how the plastic window and the mirror back didn't have any kind of notice indicating that there was a protective screen on it. I took a chance and tried to remove a "maybe" screen protector on the mirror. (it had one) I had already glued the window, so I disassembled the train, removed the window, removed the protection to make the window more see-through, and put the train back together again. After hours of putting it together and trying to understand how to assemble the blossom trees, it really paid off. I recommend everybody to have such nice decoration.

[@tamaraufempct2607]

Lol I just started my first ever miniature, and it is Sunshine Town. I had zero issues so far, I don‘t think it‘s hard to build (and painting really does not make it more difficult, it just makes it take a bit longer). All the pieces fit perfectly and the instructions are amazing (I mean, its stupid they use different colors for the wires, but they tell you which to put together, so as long as you actually read the instructions, you should be fine). All my fingers work on the switch, at a light touch, so I don‘t know maybe I did something different? Just dont hit it like you‘re playing a game on your phone (rapid short taps). Touch it lightly for half a sec or so and voila. Gotta say I love your videos so far, even though on this one I don’t agree, but hey thats fine 😁

[@tearfulpandora3790]

I got myself the sakura one for Christmas and finally started it this week. First time I've done anything like this. I must be too heavy/fat handed as I found alot of it hard not to break. Today,as I was putting the 2 sides on,the windowsill with the cat popped off and took the full window with it. It's sat on my table until I'm calm enough to go back to it! Yours looks really good!!

[@kimhyde7231]

Looks gorgeous when finished but It’s horrible to do, mine had lots of breakages, pieces not fitting together, having to ‘bodge’ pieces to get it to fit together, lots of glue needed, and don’t talk to me about the card ‘corrugated’ roofing 🫣

[@cinnamommmm]

This video is exactly what I needed I got the Sakura one for my birthday and loved every minute of building it and now I want to try more, and this review is perfect

[@evatoll1899]

Bought Sunshine town as my first. Had a really nice time assembling it. Had no problem with the lights, but decided after painting the first part to skip the painting. Too meesy.

[@HinnerkHesse]

omg, thanks so much! Looking for a present and I definitely needed help on which one to pick for a beginner!!

[@sarahkooyman9306]

Great video! Please keep book nooking.. and videoing.. so many online… Can’t wait!

[@nhansen197]

I could easily convert the Magic house to a crime scene. Do the chock outline. Make caution tape from a small yellow ribbon. And of course that blasted marquee would need modification. Oh, I'm not thinking about getting rid of it, but maybe drop a letter, and add some billboard lights. Best if the lights don't all work. With a little effort it could be any number of detective themed stories.

[@Dustandfuzz]

I love the fair puzzles and wondering if there will be a roller coaster. Love your videos.

[@tonisingleton5475]

I bought Sunshine Town on a whim while taking a break from another hobby. I came across your channel (love it) when searching for solutions for my lighting troubles. I’m a recent fan of your site. My first build was Sunshine Town, 2nd was Time Travel, 3rd was Sakura Densya, and lastly Magic House. Thank you for posting your work. I’m eyeing the Tilt-a-Whirl tea cup ride now. 😊

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Hi Toni , thank you for your kind words , nice to hear you are enjoying the channel. The tilt a whirl is a really fun build !

[@alphahale7668]

The Sunshine Town was the first one I got and built haha, but I really enjoyed building it and love how it looks. It was very difficult, but I took my time and went slowly step by step. Only had to look up how to do the wires on yt, because that confused me. I'm gonna build the Time Travel Train for my sister soon, so after building the Sunshine Town, that's gonna be a walk in the park lol.

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Time travel is much easier, the train is constructed outside of the nook and the internal structure is quite simple , I have a video of the build on the channel

[@viewsandrates]

Same!

[@mersears]

Thank you for your thoughts on future book nooks. I hope someone from Rolife pays attention, because you have some great ideas! I of course started with Sunshine Town and adore it. There must be some variation in the touch panel because I don't even have to physically touch it. I can turn the lights on by just moving a finger close to it. I found the painting soothing and it helped me slow down - everything got 3 coats! 😅

[@marianacaffaro]

I just bought the Magic House one, my first ever. I will not attach the "Magic House" notice, I don't like it either, thanks for pointing at the difficulty in detaching it later. I love your ideas for book nooks! You should contact them! You got a subscriber. Greetings from an Argentinian in Spain

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Thank you Mariana and welcome to the channel , enjoy Magic house it is a really nice nook !

[@SunTurtle]

I've been binge-watching your Rolife videos for the past few days. Thank you so much for sharing your opinions and what you liked/disliked, the difficulty (or ease) of building, etc. It's something I've been searching for a lot, videos with people who actually talk and share their opinions -- the silent videos where they have a timelapse of building a kit and then showing the kit at the end is fine if I wanted to know what a particular kit would look like in real life, but I really wanted to hear what people thought and whether something was fussy or if they liked it or whatever. I bought Kiki's Magic Emporium as my first DIY kit ever, it seemed to be less fiddly than the rooms but still gives a good taste for what these kits are like. :) Thanks again for all your videos, really appreciate all your advice and such on all the videos you've put out. Maybe one day you'll do the Magic Emporium or the Alice Tea House or the Detetctive Agency! Cheers mate!

[@buildingwiththeboys]

I'm halfway through Alice's tea shop !

[@SunTurtle]

@@buildingwiththeboys That's awesome! Gonna look forward to that video if you do one!! Honestly I waffled so long between the Magic Emporium vs the Tea Shop, I loved the Tea Shop's colors but I really loved all the bits and bobs (vials, scrolls etc) in the Emporium. If I do get into the hobby, the Tea Shop is my next purchase :D

[@wepaq4131]

Please do more of these! It really help to choose a good nook

[@buildingwiththeboys]

The latest one went up this past weekend , "the garden house" we have one more to build of the 2023 releases with the Shakespeare library , once that is done we will do a full 2023 range review and then a full collection review

[@katharsis909]

Today I started building the sakura densya, because I saw the sunshine town at one of my friend's ig story so I decided to build one myself. I think it makes fun in general, but it's sometimes a pain when pieces don't fit together because the holes are either round for square edges or too small... and I also already made a mistake at the cherry tree because the instruction was confusing me, but I#m not that far so I will still try and continue! I think it's a cool idea and they look so beautfiul

[@Alisaasaaaaaaa34567]

For the sunshine town what fixed the light button was to screw it tighter again. Just unscrew and screw again and it works with using the index finger aswell

[@mjuparm]

Guess which one I started with! 😃 Your video helped with the wiring and gave me the confidence to do it. But the painting is a real faff! Good to know the others don't have that. I do love it though.

[@BeaCrafti]

Thanks you for the good review! I will pick Sakura Densya for my First Try and I want to do Sunshine Town, because I really Like it and I'm patient! So I have no problem with one to be a bit tricky. Thanks for being honest about, so I can make a good decision where to start. 😍👍🏻

[@buildingwiththeboys]

You're welcome happy to hear it helped

[@4000Wiggins]

Thanks for this vid. I’m really trying to figure out which one to purchase.

[@reneerobertlancaster8714]

Very nice comparison and review. I’ve been looking at these and this video helped me decide which one to start with.

[@laurelmckay2514]

lolol. thank you. I wondered if you could cut the giant Magic House sign off the house without pretty much just wrecking things. Good to know.

[@alain4139]

Thank you very much for this comparison, I bought Sakura Densya, it will be my first book nook.I think there is a lot of improvement to do, especially hide the horrible side of the cuts. I would add more led behind the windows. My next purchase will be a book nook as complex as possible with a great effect of depth, but not yet found. For me who is a model maker, the rolls of the paper/cardboard models is Notre Dame by Cubicfun, the big model, 293 pieces, really a model out of the ordinary. Good day to you.

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Thank you alain, I built the cubicfun flying dutchman and really enjoyed it !

[@justicelove09]

I’m doing the Sakura one rn and the Sakura tree was a butt to do 😅 I was so confused so I just glued it randomly. Fingers crossed it still works lol.

[@Schatzie301]

Thanks so much for this fabulous video. I have built dozens of these kits but this is my first book nook and I’ve been trying to decide which one to choose. You have helped me with that decision -I think. I’m going with your top choice though Sunshine Town is so tempting. Easy for me to think I can overcome the difficulties, till I’m actually dealing with them and wishing I had taken your advice. 😂 Great ideas for future book nooks. Hope they listen to you. I have just subscribed!

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Thank you very much , check my video on "garden house" book nook , also a very good starter nook

[@shooob]

Thanks for your review! I just bought Time Travel and looking forward to putting it together. Glad to hear I made the right choice as a beginner. It'll be my first 3D wooden puzzle structure. The Sakura one will probably be my second. Or the Garden House one I saw on their website. Not sure yet. I'm looking forward to getting into the hobby. A lot of options to choose from.

[@buildingwiththeboys]

I have a video review of the garden house nook on the channel

[@shooob]

@@buildingwiththeboys Thanks! I just watched it and it'll definitely be my next one after Time Travel.

[@Chemicznaja]

We have completed The Sunshine Town, and I must say the electrics weren't the issue. However, most of the elements did not align and needed a lot of filing, and that is what I found to be the biggest issue. Also, the glue took forever to bind: the amount of time I wasted holding the main walls together 😅😅😅 But you are right, it looks absolutely amazing and it's worth the pain. (Never again😂) I agree that book themed ones would make so much sense.

[@nandriewassermann2898]

Found your channel while struggling with Sunshine town and looking for any possible help I could get. Really enjoyed Sakura.

[@PatriciaSanto-x3o]

Thank you for all the help! 😊

[@Nobunagawa]

I bought the Sakura Densha. Looking forward to building it. Maybe I'll stream it😅

[@quiltedwithlove]

Love your reviews. I built the Sakura one a few months ago and it was a pain. The tram didn't fit well and it's at an angle. Everything was a tight fit. It's a stunning book nook and I love it.

[@lorettataylor635]

Great video. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[@eldenboi7632]

I am currently building sakura densya, but it is so difficult to put the pieces sometimes and they easily break at times 😅 Thank goodness that they prepped extra pieces for the small ones. Also, I loved that they put in the right sandpaper (which is somewhat very comforting) and a screwdriver ❤ Great Channel 👍

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Thank you

[@jadiecakes3241]

Ive done sakura densya and loved it but i messed the wiring up and no way am i taking it apart now to fix it lol. Only one light works. Have you seen the new extended range?? Their is now a green house and sakura falls!! Ive done the greenhouse and it was so much fun!! But you have to wait ages for the glue to dry on some pieces Im very keen to do sunshine town and the sakura falls in future!!! im excited hearing you say sunshine is difficult to build cause i like a challenge

[@buildingwiththeboys]

I have built sakura falls , there is a video on the channel , it's beautiful , the river lights up

[@jadiecakes3241]

@@buildingwiththeboys bought it yesterday :D cant wait for it to arrive and add it to the collection

[@RagePixie]

my first one was magic house, my first time doing any kind of small build. It was fun and I customized it a bit as i felt some of the bits were far to plain. I'm most likely not going to get Sunshine town, it dosent appeal to me but i have the Sakura one to build next and to be honest I think the Time Travelers one looks a bit boring, their's not allot in their. as I'm dyslexic i relay on how to build videos to help me. so for me two and of four of these isn't bad. I must admit to liking the garden book nook they have out now, it look's really nice.

[@buildingwiththeboys]

I will do the garden nook hopefully I like it more than I think I will

[@joeperez3520]

Thanks for this detailed review. I've wanted to get the Sakura Densya since the first time I saw it. The newer "Falling Sakura" has too much of a "cartoonish" look to it, specifically the girl and the cat. Pronounced SAH-coo-ra (the "r" in ra something between an "R" and an "L").

[@buildingwiththeboys]

I have a video on the channel of the falling sakura , it was a pleasant surprise

[@joeperez3520]

@@buildingwiththeboys I'll look for it.

[@joeperez3520]

@@buildingwiththeboys Just viewed it. 👍

[@GoFishOffice]

This was fun to watch

[@monicachambers1010]

Love that I discovered you! I’m actually starting first on the garden book nook. What additional tools do you think are helpful on these? I saw in your video the glue applicator, sandpaper and acrylic paint sticks. How about tweezers? Would love links or your Amazon storefront to purchase as I a new to models and would love to support your great content!

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Thank you monica, sandpaper should come with the kit , in case you need additional glue I use loctite clear dry woodglue which I decant into small applicator bottles. A craft knife is useful and definitely tweezers , I have attached a link to the set that I use , if you run into any problems or need any help please feel free to message me at [e-mail] Good luck and happy building 😃 Precision ESD Tweezers Set, Anti-Static Stainless Steel Tweezers Set Kit Perfect for Electronics, Craft, Jewellery, Soldering, Laboratory Work and Detailed Work 10pcs amzn.eu/d/33bPQ1w

[@kmills7]

Great video! Thank you!

[@lyna5151]

Its amazing . Greetings from germany ♥️

[@ckeilah]

These things are much more difficult to put together than all the models I built as a kid. I hope these press-together parts will hold up to sitting in the bookshelf. My biggest gripe is that they're all BATTERY operated. I'd much rather have a wall-wart power option. I'll probably re-engineer them to have just that, automated by zigbee. ;-)

[@buildingwiththeboys]

There are plenty of battery power pack mods available so it shouldn't be too difficult

[@autumn22862]

Hello! Thank you so much for doing this video series! I saw these book nooks on Amazon and thought they were so beautiful. I am a complete beginner and have a few questions if you don’t mind. First, are the instructions difficult to understand? I know they are translated to English, so I was wondering if the instructions are clear (I know sometimes translations are a little rough). Second, I’ve never done anything like this before, do you think I’ll be able to complete it as a complete beginner? I was going to do sunshine town but after watching this video, I think I’ll do sakura. Thank you so much for this video (and the assembly videos) they have been extremely helpful!

[@buildingwiththeboys]

The instructions are very simple to follow as it's mainly follow along pics similar to lego instructions , yes a beginner could do it , I wouldn't start with sunshine town , I found falling sakura the easiest

[@autumn22862]

@@buildingwiththeboysok! I think I’ll go with Sakura Densya (as long as you think I’ll be able to do it)! Thank you for the guidance and the very helpful videos!

[@stretchyourpeanut]

You're missing a piece in Sunshine Town - on the left above the paper stone wall at the base of the staircase - there is a slot missing an insert.

[@buildingwiththeboys]

I know , it's a mailbox , fell out whilst I was messing with the switch, forgot to put it back in

[@sametto87]

SEKIRO is strong with this one, do you play Bloodborne too? 🤣 SA KU RA man! SAKURA! Not SEKIRO 🤣 Jokes aside I built that one too, it looks great on the shelf, 😉👍

[@brianlandon3516]

Gorgeous man!

[@sachicocoa9013]

I hate to hear that Sunshine Town was such a problematic build. I know it wasn't released Yet when this video was made, but the wiring instructions sound fussier than the Garden House one. I also wish that the roof was flat. But I may be biased because I Was just hoping to have another nook to fit on the other side of my bookshelf alongside the Garden House.😅 I also personally found time travel And Magic House to be unappealing and/or boring. Magic House had no appeal to me at all, and the train won seemed interesting at first, but if you remove the train from the scene it's just as boring as Magic House. It also leans a little towards Harry Potter. I also agree that I would love to see Rolife Continue to release more Book Nooks within other literary genres. Such as in a bakery, or in the mountains, or an ocean-themed one, or a sci-fi/ Interstellar nook.

[@allydalessi3371]

I’ve just done the Greenhouse and the Rose Detective Agency - loved them both Am about to start the Eternal Bookstore and the Potions House

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Excellent I just received thr garden house nook for Christmas so that will be up soon

[@allydalessi3371]

@@buildingwiththeboys it’s really good fun bit fiddly but that was my first and I’m so proud of myself for completing it

[@michelledepasquale9272]

I enjoyed building this one. I think it went together the easiest of all the Rolife Book nooks. Have fun! @@buildingwiththeboys

[@sisterinchristdaily5331]

Please makd a harry potter style book nook

[@izumi30898]

Even my tumb can't turn it on 😅 I need to knock it down to the floor until it turn on, and then knock it to the floor again to turn it off 😂

[@AndreatheCumbrianCrafter]

Hello, I’m fairly new to book nook building and really enjoyed your video. I know you probably get asked this a lot but can I ask what glue you use please? Thank you 😊

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Hi Andrea, the glue that comes with rolife kits is very good , but I use loctite clear dry woodglue , it has a good bond and sets fairly quickly

[@AndreatheCumbrianCrafter]

@@buildingwiththeboys Thank you 😊

[@majapopovska9758]

I used Loctite universal super glue and worked great

[@OvertheGarage-wv1wn]

Willy Wonka might be a good one. Old movies like Rebeca or the Wizard off Oz/

[@buildingwiththeboys]

All good ideas !

[@Shenali14]

So I'm currently working on Sunshine town and so far the annoying thing is that I'm missing a teacup (I have 2 saucers instead) and I have no idea where to find a replacement 😭

[@buildingwiththeboys]

That's really annoying , Google "lego tea cup" it's a good alternative

[@kissfromarose2581]

I have quick question. Hope you would give me the reply. The miniature DIY dollhouse and book nook which is more difficult to apply ? I'm done some miniature dollhouse before but I never have done book nook . I'm thinking to try doing book nook soon .

[@buildingwiththeboys]

The book nooks a find easier as it is a linear construction, with the rolife minature rooms the majority of the work is making all of the elements for the room in no particular order which can be quite fiddly . With the nooks you essentially build each wall one at a time then slot them together

[@kissfromarose2581]

@@buildingwiththeboys Thank you so much

[@jimthomson9547]

​@build 0ingwiththeboys

[@NoelTheWanderer]

I bought time travel because of the train xD

[@buildingwiththeboys]

It's a really nice nook

[@laurabossicart2712]

Hi! Can someone give me advice ? I've seen this exact book nook on ByAnavrin (for more actually than on Rolife), I'm very confused at how that's possible. Does Rolife copy ? Is Anavrin are re-saler ? Was thinking on buying this book nook for Christmas but I've been flooded by different adds now, I gather a lot are scams but can't tell which is more legit between these two !

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Rolife are legit , everyone else is a reseller , rolife are a very reliable company , these book nooks are their branded products

[@lutonian79]

Just a quick one did you get a barcode for the balance of the Batman tumbler issues 3-4 and if so where do I pay the 10.99 cheers mate 👍

[@buildingwiththeboys]

I dont know what you mean by barcode ?

[@lutonian79]

@@buildingwiththeboys with issue 4-5 for the tumbler I got a letter with a barcode on it for the balance which was 10.99 but no worries if you didn’t mate cheers for your reply anyway 👍

[@buildingwiththeboys]

@@lutonian79 ah I see , no I pay in advance via PayPal

[@lutonian79]

@@buildingwiththeboys ok mate thanks for your time 👍

[@MoeJetz31]

yeah the "magic house" logo is puke worthy

[@njapostol]

Your thumb is bigger. You’re touching both parts of the metallic material at once

[@buildingwiththeboys]

Yep