Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself by Maxine Anderson

From the Publisher

From armored tanks and gliders to "plastic glass" and drawing machines, this interactive book explores the incredible mind of Leonardo da Vinci through hands-on building projects and activities. Most of Leonardo's inventions were never made in his lifetime and remained sketches in his famous notebooks; kids examine some of these original sketches and learn about the models he made of his inventions. From there they delve into detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for each project, which are interspersed with historical facts, biographical anecdotes, and trivia. Most of the building can be done using simple household supplies: construction paper, tape, markers, glue, cardboard tubes, aluminum foil, and cardboard boxes. Background about the Renaissance as a period of remarkable achievement in art and science appears throughout the book.

Publishers Weekly

A round-up of accessible titles introduce young readers to people and events. Amazing Leonardo da Vinci: Inventions You Can Build Yourself by Maxine Anderson begins with an introduction to the Renaissance and a biography of da Vinci before delving into his interests in art and science. Snippets from his notebooks, reproductions of many of his drawings, brief biographies of the people who influenced him most (e.g., del Verrocchio, to whom he was apprenticed; Luca Pacioli, a famous mathematician and friend), plus experiments youngsters can do themselves (building one's own perspectograph, making paint, etc.) bring an immediacy to da Vinci's life and work. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Carlee Hallman - Children's Literature

This "How To" book introduces young people to the life and times of Leonardo through interest in his inventions. Clear diagrams and instructions allow the enthusiast to build models using household materials. The reader will gain understanding of one and two point perspectives, the workings of the eye, and how to measure wind velocity along with other scientific facts. The instructions proceed from making geometric figures with toothpicks and marshmallows to more complicated models of a catapult and self- propelled armored tank. Further interesting data are given in italics with white ink on tan sidebars which is hard on the eyes. Reproductions of Leonardo's sketches decorate the pages. There is an extensive glossary, lists for further study, and an index. Readers will enjoy duplicating some of the models and possibly inventing some of their own. This is a book of fun and creativity. 2006, Nomad Press, Ages 9 to 13.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Anderson has combined biography with doable activities that mirror ideas found in Leonardo's notebooks. Using common household objects (duct tape, foil, cereal boxes, paper-towel tubes, etc.), readers can make a parachute, hydrometer, invisible ink, "walk-on-water" shoes, etc. Anderson introduces each project with an explanation of why Leonardo came up with the idea and whether he created just the sketch or the sketch and the object. Detailed steps and illustrations provide clarity. Adult supervision is noted where appropriate. Readers will probably be more interested in the activities than in Leonardo's life and the Renaissance background that Anderson provides, but this title will be a welcome addition to schools in which cross-curricular teaming is in place. Science classes can re-create Leonardo's ideas while English classes can read excerpts from his notebooks and history classes can discuss the Renaissance.-Delia Carruthers, Sunset Ridge Middle School, West Jordan, UT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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