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Leonardo da Vinci
Born in 1452 to a peasant woman and a country gentleman, Leonardo da Vinci possessed one of the most astonishing minds the world has ever known. He was an inventor whose imagination reached centuries beyond his own time. He brought a sublime artistry to science and a dramatic realism to art, crowning the Renaissance with his glittering vision. Denied a more noble profession by his illegitimate birth, as a boy Leonardo was apprenticed to a famous artist. He quickly surpassed his teacher, hut his passionate interests went far beyond art. Fascinated with the secrets of nature and the human body, he carried out his own dissections and experiments. He filled thousands of pages in his notebooks with plans and designs for inventions as varied as a submarine, an air cooling system, "glasses to see the moon large," and even a flying machine! But while he was employed by princes, popes, and kings, Leonardo's personal fortune was never great. He traveled all of Italy in search of patronage. He found a rival in Michelangelo and a friend in a wily young diplomat named Machiavelli. He served both the ruthless Cesare Borgia and the brilliant young king of France, who sheltered the aged Leonardo and desired only his conversation in return. In this magnificent addition to a distinguished series, award-winning author-artist Diane Stanley blends lively and informative storytelling with exquisite illustrations to convey the wondrous purity of Leonardo's genius. "Stanley produces her most stunning pictorial biography to date. Drawing from a range of sources, including her subject's extensive notebooks, Stanley's conversational narrative describes Leonardo da Vinci's astoundingly far-reaching and varied achievements. Young readers will come to appreciate both da Vinci's universally renowned accomplishments as a painter and the breadth of his scientific experimentation and research....A virtuosic work."--Publishers Weekly. 00-01 Land of Enchantment Book Award Masterlist (Gr. 3-6)
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 1996
3 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Diane Stanley
79 books178 followersDiane Stanley is an American children's author and illustrator, a former medical illustrator, and a former art director for the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons. Born in 1943 in Abilene, Texas, she was educated at Trinity University (in San Antonio, TX) and at Johns Hopkins University. She is perhaps best known for her many picture-book biographies, some of which were co-authored by her husband, Peter Vennema. (source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 25, 2019
So good! Much to learn about Leonardo da Vinci. The illustrations were a real treat! If reading aloud, allow for an hour or break up into different sittings.
July 25, 2016
A visual feast, this is a gorgeous picture book (good for parental narration). The layout is left page text, right page Diane Stanley illustration. It's a lot of text for younger children, but a great beginning biography for middle grade students.
One thing surprised me (I must have forgotten from earlier studies): da Vinci greatly disliked Michelangelo. There was contempt and jeering from both of them towards the other.
One thing surprised me (I must have forgotten from earlier studies): da Vinci greatly disliked Michelangelo. There was contempt and jeering from both of them towards the other.
May 23, 2025
I simply love these biographies. especially the painters and sculptors, because the artwork is included.
December 19, 2009
Leonardo Da Vinci
Non-Fiction Biography
Grades 4-7
Award-winning author and illustrator, Diane Stanley, chronicles the life of the artist Leonardo Da Vinci from his birth to his death. This biography contains a wealth of information and is told in a story that blends Renaissance paintings and interesting facts about the artist. The text is lengthy for a picture book, but the illustrations are equally rich in detail. Da Vinci was denied a noble profession because of his illegitimate birth. The famous Renaissance artist was the quintessential Renaissance man, with a diversity of interests that extend well beyond his extraordinary artistic achievements. Da Vinci was born in the mid 1400s, well ahead of his time. The book details many things about him that go beyond his contributions to Renaissance art, such as his singing voice and ability to play the lira da braccio and his ability to design musical instruments. In addition he had a keen interest in anatomy and dissections, and his notebooks were full of plans to design and invent innovative and technologically advanced things such as “glasses to see the moon”, “an air-cooling system”, “a flying machine” and a “submarine.” He was employed for royals and popes but ironically never acquired financial wealth to match his talents. Leonardo Da Vinci is best known for painting the famous Mona Lisa, which has become so frequently reproduced on bathroom wallpapers, and paper napkins that like the artist it too has been denied the nobility it deserved despite its mysterious greatness. Just as elegantly as Da Vinci blends science and art, Stanley blends European history and art history in way that will be easy and enjoyable for students to read and understand.
Language Arts/Art/Science/Social Studies
Grades 4-7
Stanley’s book includes another famous Renaissance artist who was Leonardo Da Vinci’s rival. In Language Arts, students can write a paper that compares and contrasts Leonardo Da Vinci’s biography with that of his rival, Michelangelo.
Renaissance artists often inspired each other, regardless of rivalries. In Art, students can look at works done by Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo to compare and contrast similarities and differences between the two artists’ styles. Da Vinci and several other artists used a technique called chiaroscuro to create three-dimensional surfaces by contrasting light and dark. Da Vinci used chiaroscuro to create one of his most famous paintings known in Europe as La Gioconda, and known as the Mona Lisa by all. Students can study and identify the use of chiaroscuro in Da Vinci’s work as well as identify other techniques he used such as fresco in The Last Supper.
Da Vinci had a lot of interest in anatomy and physiology, and the book mentions “over a period of twenty-five years he dissected some thirty bodies, making almost two hundred painstaking drawings of them.” Da Vinci also dissected horses to create a sculpture of a horse that was four times larger than life-sized. In Science, students can study anatomy and physiology in a unit on vertebrates and compare the musculature and organ systems of humans to other animals.
Renaissance art is often influenced by the historical events of the period. Niccolo Machiavelli, the political thinker and Chancellor of the Florentine Republic wrote “The Prince,” a book about power without moral virtues it shocked people and was condemned by the pope. Social Studies lessons could include the study of Machiavelli’s political theories.
Non-Fiction Biography
Grades 4-7
Award-winning author and illustrator, Diane Stanley, chronicles the life of the artist Leonardo Da Vinci from his birth to his death. This biography contains a wealth of information and is told in a story that blends Renaissance paintings and interesting facts about the artist. The text is lengthy for a picture book, but the illustrations are equally rich in detail. Da Vinci was denied a noble profession because of his illegitimate birth. The famous Renaissance artist was the quintessential Renaissance man, with a diversity of interests that extend well beyond his extraordinary artistic achievements. Da Vinci was born in the mid 1400s, well ahead of his time. The book details many things about him that go beyond his contributions to Renaissance art, such as his singing voice and ability to play the lira da braccio and his ability to design musical instruments. In addition he had a keen interest in anatomy and dissections, and his notebooks were full of plans to design and invent innovative and technologically advanced things such as “glasses to see the moon”, “an air-cooling system”, “a flying machine” and a “submarine.” He was employed for royals and popes but ironically never acquired financial wealth to match his talents. Leonardo Da Vinci is best known for painting the famous Mona Lisa, which has become so frequently reproduced on bathroom wallpapers, and paper napkins that like the artist it too has been denied the nobility it deserved despite its mysterious greatness. Just as elegantly as Da Vinci blends science and art, Stanley blends European history and art history in way that will be easy and enjoyable for students to read and understand.
Language Arts/Art/Science/Social Studies
Grades 4-7
Stanley’s book includes another famous Renaissance artist who was Leonardo Da Vinci’s rival. In Language Arts, students can write a paper that compares and contrasts Leonardo Da Vinci’s biography with that of his rival, Michelangelo.
Renaissance artists often inspired each other, regardless of rivalries. In Art, students can look at works done by Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo to compare and contrast similarities and differences between the two artists’ styles. Da Vinci and several other artists used a technique called chiaroscuro to create three-dimensional surfaces by contrasting light and dark. Da Vinci used chiaroscuro to create one of his most famous paintings known in Europe as La Gioconda, and known as the Mona Lisa by all. Students can study and identify the use of chiaroscuro in Da Vinci’s work as well as identify other techniques he used such as fresco in The Last Supper.
Da Vinci had a lot of interest in anatomy and physiology, and the book mentions “over a period of twenty-five years he dissected some thirty bodies, making almost two hundred painstaking drawings of them.” Da Vinci also dissected horses to create a sculpture of a horse that was four times larger than life-sized. In Science, students can study anatomy and physiology in a unit on vertebrates and compare the musculature and organ systems of humans to other animals.
Renaissance art is often influenced by the historical events of the period. Niccolo Machiavelli, the political thinker and Chancellor of the Florentine Republic wrote “The Prince,” a book about power without moral virtues it shocked people and was condemned by the pope. Social Studies lessons could include the study of Machiavelli’s political theories.
January 15, 2024
Obviously an excellent book, because Diane Stanley wrote and illustrated it!
I've sung her general praises in my review of her Joan of Arc biography. These things stand out about the Da Vinci biography in particular:
- Attention to the material and physical aspects of being an artist in Renaissance Italy, and especially one always pushing the boundaries of the possible. It was fascinating to learn about how frescoes were painted, how statues were cast, and many more details about the techniques and culture of art in the period.
- Relatedly, I loved reading about how many of Da Vinci's innovative ideas (projects over the course of his entire career that ranged from painting to engineering) just didn't work out. The futility and lack of fruition of his work and was a major theme running through the narrative, and it was really encouraging to me. One of the world's most brilliant minds encountered problems nearly everywhere he tried to create something, and yet he had enough success to be remembered, perhaps forever, as a great artist and scientist. I'm not sure my children found this idea as moving as I did — I'm not sure they really grasped it — but I retain a hope that it might have encouraged them in their own often frustrated efforts to draw and build what they envision.
- And because of all the discussion of Da Vinci's failures, along with the sad story of his family background, it's a very human biography. I ended up feeling very close to Da Vinci, which was surprising, as I've never particularly liked him or his work. But now he feels like a friend.
I've sung her general praises in my review of her Joan of Arc biography. These things stand out about the Da Vinci biography in particular:
- Attention to the material and physical aspects of being an artist in Renaissance Italy, and especially one always pushing the boundaries of the possible. It was fascinating to learn about how frescoes were painted, how statues were cast, and many more details about the techniques and culture of art in the period.
- Relatedly, I loved reading about how many of Da Vinci's innovative ideas (projects over the course of his entire career that ranged from painting to engineering) just didn't work out. The futility and lack of fruition of his work and was a major theme running through the narrative, and it was really encouraging to me. One of the world's most brilliant minds encountered problems nearly everywhere he tried to create something, and yet he had enough success to be remembered, perhaps forever, as a great artist and scientist. I'm not sure my children found this idea as moving as I did — I'm not sure they really grasped it — but I retain a hope that it might have encouraged them in their own often frustrated efforts to draw and build what they envision.
- And because of all the discussion of Da Vinci's failures, along with the sad story of his family background, it's a very human biography. I ended up feeling very close to Da Vinci, which was surprising, as I've never particularly liked him or his work. But now he feels like a friend.
March 5, 2024
Strange biography of daVinci… especially for kids. Author says Leonardo da Vinci was “not religious” early in the book and never explains how she came to that assertion. He was baptized and requested and received last rites and died in communion with the Church. Many of his paintings are stunningly beautiful theological works he did for convents and monasteries. Author spends more time talking about Machievelli than daVinci’s Catholicism and insightful religious paintings. Since this author also wrote a peculiar biography of St Joan of Arc (referring to her mystical visions of saints as “dreams”) and her other children’s biography of “Good Queen Bess” (Queen Elizabeth was anything but “good” for Catholics living in England during her reign- it was a capital crime punishable by torture, hanging, quartering, and disembowelment to be found to be a priest or to be found harboring one), I can only conclude she is bigoted against Catholics. I would recommend NOT reading her books to children.
October 20, 2008
This book was okay. We read through it for our unit study on Leondardo da Vinci. It had some good information. The kids were impressed with all the things he wrote about in his notebook. I think they learned a lot.
I wouldn't necessarily hunt this one up in the library, but if you do find it is worth reading. I think there were some things that didn't need to be in a children's book about him-unimportant things. Don't read inappropriate in that though, just unnecessary things. I think perhaps there may be some better resources about him.
I wouldn't necessarily hunt this one up in the library, but if you do find it is worth reading. I think there were some things that didn't need to be in a children's book about him-unimportant things. Don't read inappropriate in that though, just unnecessary things. I think perhaps there may be some better resources about him.
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May 27, 2015Leonardo wanted to succeed in life but he wasn't allowed to paint in the workshop so he worked extra hard then he became a world known artist.
August 11, 2020
Leonardo Da Vinci by Diane Stanley is a children’s biography written for children aged about 6-8 years old. The book is the winner of the 1997 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Children’s Nonfiction. In the book, Stanley discusses Leonardo’s life works and accomplishments and talks briefly about what Leonardo’s life was like. This book has some very nice pictures in it that really help tell the story of his life. I think it’s easy for children to become bored by nonfiction and the illustrations and images in this book would help a child stay focused and retain the information being learned. The facts in this book are plentiful and I would say this is a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about Da Vinci, not just children. I would have liked to learn more about Da Vinci’s personal life and what he was like as a person, but even outside of this biography there seems to be limited information on that. I think overall this book does a great job of combining wording and pictures to tell a fantastic story of what Leonardo’s life was like. This would be a great educational resource for parents to use with their children outside of the classroom, or for teachers to include into a history lesson.
May 10, 2021
I read this book to my three boys (ages 11, 9, and 7). After we finished reading the book I asked them for their thoughts and review on the book. Here is what they told me:
They really enjoyed the illustrations. They liked how there was a picture for every page and that picture was detailed. They particularly liked how even though it was an illustration, when they put a picture of da Vinci's art, they have a photograph of his art piece, not just a drawing of it.
They enjoyed how the book started when he was a child and went all the way until he died.
They were devastated that so many of da Vinci's notebooks have been lost over the years and they considered that a big loss.
One child pointed out he really liked the cover of the book because it was supposed to be da Vinci but posed like Mona Lisa, he thought that was clever.
I myself, as the mom, enjoyed this book as well as it brought to life our science curriculum and the experiments we were doing alongside of it.
They really enjoyed the illustrations. They liked how there was a picture for every page and that picture was detailed. They particularly liked how even though it was an illustration, when they put a picture of da Vinci's art, they have a photograph of his art piece, not just a drawing of it.
They enjoyed how the book started when he was a child and went all the way until he died.
They were devastated that so many of da Vinci's notebooks have been lost over the years and they considered that a big loss.
One child pointed out he really liked the cover of the book because it was supposed to be da Vinci but posed like Mona Lisa, he thought that was clever.
I myself, as the mom, enjoyed this book as well as it brought to life our science curriculum and the experiments we were doing alongside of it.
March 6, 2023
Leonardo Da Vinci by Diane Stanley follows the life of Da Vinci from childhood to adulthood. There was an abundance of information about his childhood life. Stanley also went into detail about the types of techniques he used in his artwork and designs. Da Vinci used certain transfer techniques as well, but he also dissected humans and animals for his research. At first, this book looks like a picture book, but it actually has a lot of information. I feel like this book would be a good starting book for research and information, but it just skims the surface of Da Vinci's life. I think there could be more information on him, but it still has some good facts as well. One of the main motifs I saw was how Da Vinci used different painting techniques and had a unique mind about things. He always thought outside of the box, even though he got ridiculed about it a lot. He started writing backward so no one could read his notes because he was tired of people judging his work.
August 9, 2025
3.5, More words than I wanted in a picture book, but very informative. Da Vinci is one of those names you know and some of his art or even his inventions, but I really had no idea about his life. Great book for a kid who wants to learn about a Renaissance artist in detail, not great for an adult trying to cheat the summer reading system through picture books. The art was a fun mix of original and Da Vinci’s work. I think I would enjoy reading more of this artist’s books when I’m not on a time crunch, really nice way to get a bit of a biography without having to read for hours.
March 13, 2019
This book was really informative good for learning about Leonardo Da Vinci, and how he was not only an artist, but an inventor and sculptor as well. Throughout the book we are taken through the stages of Da Vinci's life and it is easy to learn a lot about him. The book is also small, though, so if you plan on keeping a page count you should do it in your head!
November 5, 2020
I wish I had read this before wading through the Landmark biography with my 4th grader. My kids all voluntarily sat in to listen and were thrilled to recognize all the paintings. Definitely an author worth collecting!
September 16, 2019
This book reads like a story, not just informational which is important in keeping the reader entertained!
January 29, 2021
Very informative with lovely paintings.
March 15, 2021
My daughter and I read this together for the Mensa challenge and we were both enthralled by it!
July 7, 2021
This was a great living biography with good illustrations! I used it in our homeschool with a 4th grader and 1st grader.
January 1, 2022
A bit of a cheat to get to 100 books…a middle school book about Leonardo…but an interesting read with some info about Leonardo I didn’t know, such as that he had 13 half brothers and sisters.
February 26, 2023
Good intro to THE Renaissance Man. Love how they incorporated images from his notebooks. This would make a nice spine for a unit study as well.
December 4, 2025
A well written and nicely illustrated biography for children.
October 13, 2021
An excellent, engaging biography of Da Vinci with wonderful pictures, including photos of Da Vinci’s paintings and notebooks.
August 4, 2016
Title: Leonardo Da Vinci
Author: Diane Stanley
Illustrator:
Genre: Biography grades 3-5
Theme: Art, history, Leonardo da Vinci
Opening line/sentence:
Leonardo da Vinci lived in exciting times.
Brief Book Summary:
This book is about the life of Leonardo Da Vinci from birth to death. It includes his sketches, artwork, and life story.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, Sept. 15, 1996 (Vol. 93, No. 2))
Well researched, intelligently written, and beautifully illustrated, this is the best of the many children's books on Leonardo. Stanley begins with a brief introduction to the Italian Renaissance and then looks at the life of the artist. The text pages feature a series of sketches from Leonardo’s notebooks. These vivid drawings, chosen to reflect ideas and events in the story, juxtapose well with the large illustrations created with colored pencil, gouache, and watercolors on the facing pages. Stanley seems to draw inspiration from her subject, creating a series of paintings that transcend her previous work in technique, subtlety, sensitivity, grace, and depth of feeling. She brings the period to life in paintings following Leonardo from his baptism to his deathbed. The craftsmanship that makes this biography so solid in concept, appealing in design, and accessible in presentation extends to the scholarship behind it, as glimpsed in the appended postscript and bibliographies.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Dr. Beverly Kobrin (Children's Literature)
Author/artist Diane Stanley presents a lifelike Leonardo Da Vinci from birth to his death at age 67 in 1519. Born out of wedlock in a village near Florence, Italy, Leonardo was unable to enter either the University of Florence or one of the "noble" professions such as medicine or law. He was apprenticed to the artist Andrea del Verrocchio who quickly recognized his artistic genius. Indeed, it is alleged that once Verrocchio realized Leonardo was superior to himself, he never again painted. It is the depth of her research that distinguishes Ms. Stanley's book. She read many volumes--some of them listed in her fine bibliography, and she traveled to Italy for further insights. Somehow she uncovered information to debunk the generally-held belief that Leonardo's backward writing was intended to discourage snoopers; she says he wrote that way because he was left-handed and found it convenient. Ms. Stanley's work as both biography and literature is about as good as it gets.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews applaud Stanley on her well-researched book. They loved her illustrations as well as how accurate her information is. I think that this is a beautiful book, but it is definitely meant for older elementary students. Its length and the number of words would overwhelm younger students.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The author uses the characterization of Leonardo da Vinci to teach readers about his life. She also wrote a lot about history. This helps readers put the story into perspective and gives good background knowledge about the time.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
With this book, I would probably do a unit on Leonardo da Vinci. He has ton of pieces of artwork, so I would show my students as many as I could. They could try to imitate one of his pieces of artwork. They could also do a writing assignment where they research any artist they want from da Vinci’s time.
Author: Diane Stanley
Illustrator:
Genre: Biography grades 3-5
Theme: Art, history, Leonardo da Vinci
Opening line/sentence:
Leonardo da Vinci lived in exciting times.
Brief Book Summary:
This book is about the life of Leonardo Da Vinci from birth to death. It includes his sketches, artwork, and life story.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, Sept. 15, 1996 (Vol. 93, No. 2))
Well researched, intelligently written, and beautifully illustrated, this is the best of the many children's books on Leonardo. Stanley begins with a brief introduction to the Italian Renaissance and then looks at the life of the artist. The text pages feature a series of sketches from Leonardo’s notebooks. These vivid drawings, chosen to reflect ideas and events in the story, juxtapose well with the large illustrations created with colored pencil, gouache, and watercolors on the facing pages. Stanley seems to draw inspiration from her subject, creating a series of paintings that transcend her previous work in technique, subtlety, sensitivity, grace, and depth of feeling. She brings the period to life in paintings following Leonardo from his baptism to his deathbed. The craftsmanship that makes this biography so solid in concept, appealing in design, and accessible in presentation extends to the scholarship behind it, as glimpsed in the appended postscript and bibliographies.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Dr. Beverly Kobrin (Children's Literature)
Author/artist Diane Stanley presents a lifelike Leonardo Da Vinci from birth to his death at age 67 in 1519. Born out of wedlock in a village near Florence, Italy, Leonardo was unable to enter either the University of Florence or one of the "noble" professions such as medicine or law. He was apprenticed to the artist Andrea del Verrocchio who quickly recognized his artistic genius. Indeed, it is alleged that once Verrocchio realized Leonardo was superior to himself, he never again painted. It is the depth of her research that distinguishes Ms. Stanley's book. She read many volumes--some of them listed in her fine bibliography, and she traveled to Italy for further insights. Somehow she uncovered information to debunk the generally-held belief that Leonardo's backward writing was intended to discourage snoopers; she says he wrote that way because he was left-handed and found it convenient. Ms. Stanley's work as both biography and literature is about as good as it gets.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both reviews applaud Stanley on her well-researched book. They loved her illustrations as well as how accurate her information is. I think that this is a beautiful book, but it is definitely meant for older elementary students. Its length and the number of words would overwhelm younger students.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The author uses the characterization of Leonardo da Vinci to teach readers about his life. She also wrote a lot about history. This helps readers put the story into perspective and gives good background knowledge about the time.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
With this book, I would probably do a unit on Leonardo da Vinci. He has ton of pieces of artwork, so I would show my students as many as I could. They could try to imitate one of his pieces of artwork. They could also do a writing assignment where they research any artist they want from da Vinci’s time.
November 21, 2018
A non-fiction picture books are hard to come by, this one will not disappoint. This picture book uses great illustrations with text and facts throughout the story. Each page is jammed packed with both information and illustrations. This is a longer picture book and would be best taught out loud. I would prefer to teach it a few pages at a time so that the students learn and do not space out from all the information being conveyed. This story can be used to teach students about Leonardo de Vinci. I believe the story was made to convey his life truthfully and fully, rather than telling of a single theme or action. The story show the great hardships he faced as well as the many art pieces and schooling he completed. This picture book gives a complete picture of who Leonardo was. I enjoyed the information in the book, but it is not a book I would normally choose.
July 30, 2015
Leonardo da Vinci was born in the village of Vinci near Florence, Italy, on Saturday, April 15, 1452, to Ser Piero da Vinci, a country gentleman and notary, and a peasant woman named Caterina. Apprenticed as a boy to the famous artist Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence, he quickly became more skillful than his teacher. One of the most amazing people who ever lived, he grew up to be a great painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, scientist, and inventor, although he had a bad habit of not finishing projects. Moving to Milan, he worked for Duke Ludovico Sforza. When Milan was captured by the French, Leonardo wandered around, travelling to Mantua, to Venice, back to Florence, where he worked for Cesare Borgia along with Niccolo Machiavelli, to Rome to work for the pope, and finally to France to work for King Francis I, where he died on May 2, 1519, at the age of 67.
Award-winning author and artist Diane Stanley blends wonderful storytelling with vibrant illustrations to provide a wonderful introduction for young people to the original “Renaissance man,’ whose inventions include a submarine, an air-cooling system, “glasses to see the moon large,” and even a flying machine, following his life from birth to death. The book was a 1996 ALA Notable Book, a 1996 Publishers Weekly Best Books Award winner, a 1997 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book for Nonfiction, and a 1997 Orbis Pictus Award winner. One source gives the age range as 4 – 8 years, and another as 7 and up, but the book is a little lengthy for a younger child to read, so older children, say ages 9-12, will likely better appreciate the wealth of information in this fascinating biography. I will add a couple of caveats that parents may want to note. First, it seems that a great deal of emphasis is placed on Leonardo’s having been born illegitimately. Of course, that is a fact of history.
Second, I was a little disturbed by how the author begins. “Leonardo da Vinci lived in exciting times. A thousand years had passed since the Roman Empire fell, a thousand years in which the people of Europe tended their farms, went to war, guided every act by a deep religious faith….Then, at about the time Leonardo was born, things began to change. Faith and tradition gave way to learning and curiosity.” The implication seems to be that faith stands in opposition to learning and curiosity. Yet, she fails to note that some of the examples that she cites of this new spirit of learning and curiosity, such as Christopher Columbus, Johann Gutenberg, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Michelangelo Buonarroti, were all guided by a deep religious faith in what they accomplished. At the same time, it is noted of Leonardo that, “Though he was not a religious man, he wrote that the more he studied the body, the more he was struck by thoughts of God, ‘who creates nothing superfluous or imperfect.’” All in all, it is an interesting book.
Award-winning author and artist Diane Stanley blends wonderful storytelling with vibrant illustrations to provide a wonderful introduction for young people to the original “Renaissance man,’ whose inventions include a submarine, an air-cooling system, “glasses to see the moon large,” and even a flying machine, following his life from birth to death. The book was a 1996 ALA Notable Book, a 1996 Publishers Weekly Best Books Award winner, a 1997 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book for Nonfiction, and a 1997 Orbis Pictus Award winner. One source gives the age range as 4 – 8 years, and another as 7 and up, but the book is a little lengthy for a younger child to read, so older children, say ages 9-12, will likely better appreciate the wealth of information in this fascinating biography. I will add a couple of caveats that parents may want to note. First, it seems that a great deal of emphasis is placed on Leonardo’s having been born illegitimately. Of course, that is a fact of history.
Second, I was a little disturbed by how the author begins. “Leonardo da Vinci lived in exciting times. A thousand years had passed since the Roman Empire fell, a thousand years in which the people of Europe tended their farms, went to war, guided every act by a deep religious faith….Then, at about the time Leonardo was born, things began to change. Faith and tradition gave way to learning and curiosity.” The implication seems to be that faith stands in opposition to learning and curiosity. Yet, she fails to note that some of the examples that she cites of this new spirit of learning and curiosity, such as Christopher Columbus, Johann Gutenberg, Nicolaus Copernicus, and Michelangelo Buonarroti, were all guided by a deep religious faith in what they accomplished. At the same time, it is noted of Leonardo that, “Though he was not a religious man, he wrote that the more he studied the body, the more he was struck by thoughts of God, ‘who creates nothing superfluous or imperfect.’” All in all, it is an interesting book.
November 14, 2016
Stanley’s non-fiction picture book on Leonardo Da Vinci begins with mentioning Leonardo’s “illegitimate” birth. During the era he was born, this issue made him an unlikely choice for formal education. Starting with this fact allows Stanley to focus on the aspects of Leonardo’s self-educated genius, which began with his love of nature. She essentially turns the circumstances of his birth into a positive by implying that it steered his life towards perpetual discovery and the quest for knowledge. Stanley does a nice job of portraying Leonardo’s inquisitive mind and how his yearning for new ideas had him often abandoning projects in order to pursue new challenges and truths. With each section of the biography, Stanley focuses on the different facets of his genius. His affinity for nature compelled him to explore the world through the scientific method and to use observation to deduce theories. As an inventor, Leonardo showed his “mechanical genius,” which led him to seek out advancements in weaponry. Stanley also balances his successes with shortcomings, particularly in the area of his preoccupation with flight, where he stumbled in his ambition to create an instrument for flying. By focusing on his many talents, she gives an image of the man as a truly remarkable mind. However, he did have trouble avoiding quarrels with family and others, such as Michelanglo. As her book nears the end of Leonardo’s life, she shows him coming full circle as she refers to him as a philosopher to Francis I, King of France. Leonardo’s wealth of knowledge as an artist and scientist gave him the ability to understand so much. Stanley’s book effectively brings Leonardo to life.
April 12, 2013
Leonardo da Vinci by Dianne Stanley takes you through Leonardo da Vinci’s remarkable life. Unlike many timeless renaissances, Leonardo was not an aristocrat – rather, he was relatively poor, being born and raised on a farm in the country. Although he was never given a proper education, and coined himself as “a man without education”, he was still a notable artist at even an early age, with an unusual talent for drawing. Through his artistic ability he was given an apprenticeship with Verrocchio. Leonardo mastered the art of drawing, painting, pastels, water colors, and even forms of architecture as Verrocchio’s pupil – and was a critically acclaimed artist by the end of his apprenticeship. Not only was he a masterful artist, but he was one of the great minds of the Renaissance. He was a man of many talents, as he was a prominent engineer, mathematician, geologist, inventor, and writer – leading the scientific frontier of his time. Leonardo’s notebooks (some still preserved today) contain images of ‘flying machines’, ‘submarines’, ‘tanks’, and other post-industrial technology. His mind was truly beyond his time… if only he knew about electricity. This Biography marvels over his ingenuity and accomplishments as it takes you through his fascinating life, effectively capturing his ‘godlike’ brain through the events and scenarios that unfold. This psuedo-children's book can be used in a classroom as an effective history lesson - effectively much more interesting then any ordinary history book.
December 9, 2011
1) Genre: Biography
2) Summary: With its lengthy text and accompanying illustrations, this biography is centered on the legendary artist. Leonardo da Vinci.
3) Critique:
a) While I thought the text was a bit longer for a childrens' biography book, I feel like the illustrations really capture the personality of the man behind the artist.
b) The illustrations, both of Da Vinci and of his works, were very vivid and elaborate. They actually showcased Da Vinci, specifically on his physical looks. I think many children may be familiar with Da Vinci’s paintings such as the Mona Lisa portrait, but may not have a clue on what the artist actually looks like.
c) For example, in one illustration Da Vinci is shown working on a piece of art. He is dressed in all green clothes with a red hat. This portrays him as a simple man, but perhaps the red hat symbolizes his creativity.
D) Curriculum Connection: This book is an excellent source about Da Vinci by incorporating details about his life and artwork. Younger students could use this to simply find out more information about the legendary artist. Older students who are perhaps taking art class could study the actual artwork of Da Vinci and compare/contrast it to Stanley replication.
2) Summary: With its lengthy text and accompanying illustrations, this biography is centered on the legendary artist. Leonardo da Vinci.
3) Critique:
a) While I thought the text was a bit longer for a childrens' biography book, I feel like the illustrations really capture the personality of the man behind the artist.
b) The illustrations, both of Da Vinci and of his works, were very vivid and elaborate. They actually showcased Da Vinci, specifically on his physical looks. I think many children may be familiar with Da Vinci’s paintings such as the Mona Lisa portrait, but may not have a clue on what the artist actually looks like.
c) For example, in one illustration Da Vinci is shown working on a piece of art. He is dressed in all green clothes with a red hat. This portrays him as a simple man, but perhaps the red hat symbolizes his creativity.
D) Curriculum Connection: This book is an excellent source about Da Vinci by incorporating details about his life and artwork. Younger students could use this to simply find out more information about the legendary artist. Older students who are perhaps taking art class could study the actual artwork of Da Vinci and compare/contrast it to Stanley replication.
September 4, 2009
Growing up with an artist as a mother, our bookshelves always had biographies of famous artists on them. However, I avoided those huge, boring-looking books and must admit that this is the first biography of an artist I have read. My mother will be so happy! Maybe if we had had more biographies like this one I would have read them earlier. No wonder this book is an award-winner! Stanley uses rich language and shows the humanness of a brilliant man. Her use of words such as “perhaps, may, probably, and there is a story” clearly illustrate which points in the story may or may not be completely historically accurate. A description of the workshop, apprentices and painting techniques gives an introduction to art history that is interesting and could lead to further inquiry projects. Stanley gives a list of her references as well as books suitable for younger readers, which shows the research she put into the book. And, of course, her illustrations are amazing and can add another inquiry aspect into artistic techniques through the study of this book. A very enjoyable and informational read!
August 13, 2016
Leonardo da Vinci is a good picture book about Leonardo da Vinci’s life. Since it is quite lengthy, I would recommend it for older children, especially if they needed to do a report. It definitely packs in a lot of information in a small book. Da Vinci covers his most famous works of art, including pictures of the works incorporated into the illustration, which is great for kids who aren’t familiar with the names. Not only does it talk about his successes, but it covers his failures as well, such as The Battle of Anghiri. The book does very well with incorporating his other contributions to the world of science. He developed a way of drawing anatomy that medical artist follow today, and even improved upon the tank while also creating many more devices, such as an ‘underwater breathing apparatus'.
By showing the trials that da Vinci faced his life, like being an illegitimate child, it shows children that they can overcome and accomplish anything they want despite the circumstances they were born into.
By showing the trials that da Vinci faced his life, like being an illegitimate child, it shows children that they can overcome and accomplish anything they want despite the circumstances they were born into.
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