LEGO Fabuland was a distinctive theme introduced in 1979, aimed at bridging the gap between the pre-school DUPLO range and standard LEGO System bricks for older children. It was characterized by a world of anthropomorphic animal characters and simplified, story-oriented building sets.
The Fabuland Universe (1979)
Fabuland was the first LEGO theme to prioritize storytelling and role-play, a key feature of its 1979 launch.
Characters: The theme featured unique figures with animal heads (mammals, reptiles, birds) and humanoid bodies, slightly larger than standard minifigures. Each character had a name and a specific role in the town, such as Mayor Lionel Lion or Lucy Lamb the nurse.
Building Style: The sets used a mix of standard LEGO bricks and larger, specialized elements like wall panels and vehicle parts, making models quick and easy to assemble for younger children.
Storytelling Focus: The building instructions in the 1979 sets often came with stories for parents to read aloud, and the figures were shown actively building the models within the illustrations.
Notable 1979 Fabuland Sets
The initial 1979 release established the core town life of Fabuland with various buildings and vehicles.
LEGO 347 Doc David's Hospital: This large set featured Dr. Dog and included ambulance and bedroom accessories.
LEGO 350 Town Hall: Inhabited by Mayor Lionel Lion, this set was a central location in the Fabuland world.
LEGO 341 Cathy Cat's & Morty Mouse's Cottage: A residential set featuring a small house and garden accessories.
LEGO 328 Michael Mouse and his New Car: A simple vehicle set focusing on one of the key characters.
LEGO 329 Bernard Bear and his Delivery Lorry: A service vehicle set for transporting goods around Fabuland.
This theme was also the first from LEGO to be extended into other media, including storybooks, clothing, and later, an animated TV series.