Cleonardo, The Little Inventor

by Mary GrandPré

Cleonardo's father is an inventor. So was her grandfather, her great-grandfather, and all the great-greats before them. Cleo wants to be an inventor too. She tries to help her father in his workshop, but he never uses her great ideas. Can Cleo invent something big and important and perfect all by herself?

This imaginative story of a father and his daughter brings the magic of creativity to little inventors everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Stem, Engineering, Art

48 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2016

About the author

Mary GrandPré is an American illustrator best known for her cover and chapter illustrations of the Harry Potter books in their U.S. editions published by Scholastic. She received a Caldecott Honor in 2015 for illustrating Barb Rosenstock's The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art. GrandPré, who creates her artwork with paint and pastels, has illustrated more than twenty books and has appeared in gallery exhibitions and periodicals such as The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, and The Wall Street Journal.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t get over how much Mary’s artwork reminds me or brings me back to those days when I saw the cover and artclips inside the Harry Potter books. Her style is very distinctive. I love it. She puts so many little humorous details into her drawings. I love the DeVinci picture of Man in the circle and square. It’s also funny that everyone’s name ends in ‘ardo’. I enjoy stuff like that.

Cleonardo is an inventor like her father and her grandfather Leonardo. Cleo tries to offer ideas to her dad, but he has his own ideas, so Cleo goes off to make her own contraption. There is a fair coming up with a prize for best inventions. The father and daughter are trying to come up with something to impress the other. The fair arrives and it doesn’t go to plan, but it works out all the same. It is a very cute story.

The nephew enjoyed this one. He thought they could work on a robot together. He is always asking to build a real one with his dad. This sparked his imagination again and he gave this 4 stars. The niece loved the pictures and she thought Cleonardo was very smart. She gave this 3 stars.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleonardo Wren was the daughter of inventor Geonardo, and the grand-daughter of inventor Leonardo. A born tinkerer and inventor herself, she longed to join the family tradition, but her fond father never seemed to take her suggestions seriously. When she decides to impress him by inventing something important for the upcoming annual invention contest, it raises the question: will father and daughter's inventions put them in competition with one another, or will they complement each other...?

Author/artist Mary GrandPré, who is probably best known for illustrating the American editions of the Harry Potter books, and who was awarded a Caldecott Honor for The Noisy Paint Box: The Colors and Sounds of Kandinsky's Abstract Art , presents an engaging father-daughter tale in Cleonardo, The Little Inventor. Although the names and concept are clearly inspired by Renaissance artist and inventor Leonardo Da Vinci, otherwise this is a entertaining little fantasy, one featuring an appealing young protagonist and her quest - both to win her father's acceptance and to follow her own passion for invention - as well as beautiful artwork. Recommended to young would-be inventors and art-lovers.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems a bit too calculating in delivering a message.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a vibrant palette. GrandPré’s use of shadows is captivating.

[Melissa Craven · Rating 4 out of 5]

An imaginative take on Leonardo Da Vinci’s inventions
See my full review at YA Books Central
http://www.yabookscentral.com/kbc-home/latest-kids-indie/discussions/review?id=38232

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the art, especially the contrast between mechanical and organic, but the story didn't really do anything for me.

[R.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story lacks in focus and character, the artwork is beyond compare. An extraordinary display of GrandPré’s abilities! Plus, the hidden Harry Potter reference is clever and charming.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleonardo comes from a long line of inventors, including her father, Geonardo, and her grandfather, Leonardo. The girl enjoys coming up with clever ideas of her own, but her father pays them no mind, whether because he is distracted by his own work or because she's a girl or for some other reason. Still, she persists in dreaming up all sorts of nifty creations. With an eye on showing her father what she can do and getting him to take her seriously, Cleonardo goes to her grandfather for some help in coming up with something amazing for the town's inventions festival. All goes well, and both father and daughter invent impressive pieces. But her father's mechanical bird is damaged by the wind, causing quick-thinking Cleonardo to rely on her own inventions to save the day and keep anyone from being injured by the bird. Neither one wins the competition, but they win something else much more important--a new partnership. It's terrific to see a female inventor featured in a picture book for children although I wasn't enamored with the three family members' names. I loved the sumptuous illustrations, created with rice paper collage and acrylic paints and dyes, and filled with tints, tones, and details that add a medieval element to the pages.

[Maria Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

In preparation for an inventor’s competition, Cleonardo uses sticky bug vine, wings, feathers, butterflies, and twigs, while her father uses more traditional materials of metal, wheels, and gears. Although not specifically juxtaposing nature and technology, I loved that the best invention combines them both. Anyone who has ever felt left out or wanted to impress a parent or teacher will identify with Cleonardo’s burning desire to spend time with her father and demonstrate to him her invention skills. The illustrations are amazingly detailed and could easily hang as independent works of art. There is also a fair bit of humor mixed into the illustrations, such as a portrait of “Neandernardo” and “Magellanardo.” This is a very touching story of the connection between a father and a daughter. Though its wordiness might not appeal to the younger listeners.

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleonardo Wren tries to invent things that will help her father, Geonardo's (son of Leonardo), inventions. Although he admires Cleonardo's creations, he kindly dismisses them as "too" this or that. When she makes a whirligig and her grandfather praises it as a toy, Cleo has had enough. She wants to invent something useful. She and her father both enter inventions in the town festival and discover that their products complement each other. With gorgeous illustrations and a gentle, supportive, and respectful love between grandfather, father, and girl, this book won my heart and I can't wait to share it with students. Many discussions can blossom from the various angles of this story: inventions, fathers, grandfathers, history, art, and science. Makerspacers could use ideas in the book, too!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleonardo loves to invent like her father, Geonardo, but she loves to base her inventions on nature, whereas her father prefers machinery. After her father gently rejects all of her ideas for the upcoming invention festival, Cleonardo decides to invent something by herself. Eventually Geonardo realizes just how much he misses having her around and decides to invent something that he thinks she will like, a mechanical bird. Later, at the festival, Cleonardo's invention helps when things start to go haywire. GrandPre's gorgeous illustrations nicely complement this sweet story about creativity and how different ways of seeing the world can complement each other. And even beyond that, how sometimes the things of greatest value are the smallest things rather than the largest.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by her father and grandfather, Cleonardo knows she can be a great inventor. With the Grand Festival of Inventions coming up, she tries to aid her father with his invention, offering natural materials to go with his mechanical ones. When her offers are refused she plans to make her own brilliant invention and enter it in the contest so her father will be proud of her. She is determined it should be something grand and not anything “childish.” On the other side, her father, now missing her suggestions decides to create his entry inspired by her.
Mary Grandpre’s latest picture book will excite and intrigue young inventors with its beautiful illustrations and sweet story. This will be perfect combined with a nonfiction about DaVinci or to encourage maker projects in the library.

[Arantzazú · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps most well-known (and loved!) for being the original Harry Potter illustrator, Mary Grandpre has now put her considerable talents into her own work--and does a magnificent job!
A young girl and her father work on inventions in their own separate way to try to gain each other's approval--but it turns out the work better together!
Filled with many wonderful messages and lessons for children and adults alike, yet ultimately a beautiful and fun story for all!

[Teresa Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleonardo comes from a family of inventors. She watches her father work on his inventions and then makes her own creations. Her father pats her head and calls them cute. Cleo doesn't want her inventions to be cute; she wants them to be amazing. When her father's invention goes awry at the town competition, Cleo is able to help save the day. There is a nice feeling of family here, but the story is a bit too simple. The illustrations are lovely, which enhances the book immensely.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is set in a Renaissance town right before the annual Grand Festival of Inventions. Cleonardo comes from a long line of inventors and it is her dream to be an inventor and participate in the Grand Festival. After a few setbacks and some encouragement from her grandfather Leonardo, Cleo saves the day for her father. An inspiring father -daughter, grandfather-granddaughter story about science, inventiveness, and creativity. This will pair well with Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cleonardo has a grandfather who likes to invent things. You guessed it - his name is Leonardo. "Cleonardo Wren wanted to be an inventor too, and she had great ideas." Their town has an Annual Grand Festival of Inventions coming up and Cleonardo wants to invent something spectacular. Great beginning book to introduce makerspaces, inventors or just a great read aloud.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

While in search of some great STEM books, I saw this title and hoped for the best. Mary GrandPre's illustrations are superb and are the main draw to the book as the story is just okay. There are no details on how the inventions were built or how they worked, and the only lesson really to be learned is the need for determination.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations star in this gentle story about a spunky daughter who is determined to be an inventor in her own right. The Cleonardo-Gianardo-Leonardo connection did cause an eye roll on my part. A bit twee. Still, it's a fun story, fine for read aloud. Although many seem to be touting its STEM connection, I see it but it's not the first picture book I'd choose for that reason.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story about a young girl who wants to invent like her dad, but he always dismisses her ideas. Her grandfather helps her set up her own shop out in nature so she can make her own inventions. Both dad and daughter enter inventions into the fair...is Cleo able to show her father that her inventions are important like his?

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another: You do you book, like Foxtrot.



The illustrations are very detailed and would definitely capture a class' attention as you read it to them. This could be a fun story to read around Father's Day.



Would be fun to read this with a non-fiction book on Leonardo DaVinci, perhaps during a structures unit.

[Rebecca Saxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of father and daughter inventors. A great book to encourage girls to create and be excited about STEM. The illustrations are beautiful; I can see why Mary GrandPre has won the Caldecott before.

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are far and away the best thing about this book. The story is on the weak side, and I didn't quite understand the "importance" of their inventions. (Granted, even the winning invention didn't seem very big or important.)

[Annie Pasma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially loved the paintings in this picture book.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleonardo and her father enter separate inventions in the town's Grand Festival of Inventions both hoping to impress the other.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure what Cleo's invention for the contest was, but the whirligig was a big hit. Nice family story.

[Elizabeth Ferry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story with beautiful illustrations from same illustrator who did many of the Harry Potter books.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to a parent volunteer who recommended this to me. Elaborate illustrations.

[Lorelai Teal (I’M BACK) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book for kids, but I have definitely read better.

Cleonardo is a little girl who wants to be as good as inventing as her father, grandfather, and the rest of her family. She tries desperately to help her dad, but when he denies that she help him prepare for the upcoming inventing competition, she decides to make something of her own with the help of her grandfather. She makes a little whirligig, then decides to make a moon- which should have been lingered on for a tad longer, because she never explained why- it just looks like she tied a bunch of live butterflies to a round wooden frame. Her dad makes a cute little mechanical flying bird. They get to the competition, and her father goes first. His little bird does fine at the start, but soon it flies out of control and almost hits the mayor. For some reason, Cleonardo decides to release her moon to stop it, but it makes it worse….. ? She then throws up her tiny whirligig and it stops it….. ??????? At the end, there is the vague message of not trying to outdo one another and just work together, and also to take a child seriously, but the plot is pretty weak. One thing that really saved it for me are the beautiful illustrations.

Solid 3.25 stars.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cleonardo is determined to help her father, Geonardo, create something special for the annual Grand Festival of Inventions. But Geonardo doesn’t seem to want to listen to Cleo’s ideas, so she decides to create something on her own. And with the help of her grandfather, Leonardo, she sets up shop. Cleo’s first invention doesn’t seem like it would be very important, so she keeps trying. Meanwhile, her father misses Cleo by his side while he’s inventing. “Without his little bird, the festival didn’t seem very important. So his invention is an idea that he hopes will lure Cleo back to his workshop.

On the day of the festival, they find that they need each other to be successful.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was not very satisfying. But the fact is, it was okay. The point of it was good. And beyond that, and most importantly, it was a vehicle for Mary GrandPre's illustrations. And if it is no more than that, that in and of itself is wonderful. In my opinion Mary GrandPre goes from mega-strength to mega-strength. Just when I think she's created the most wonderful illustrations ever, she goes herself one better. The pictures in this book are awesome. They are fabulous. They are enchantment itself. And the story is more than plenty good enough to carry them.