The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence was a marvel of art, architecture, and engineering. But it lacked a finishing ornament, a crowna dome! The city fathers had a solution: to invite the finest masters to compete for the chance to design a dome. The rumors of this contest reached the ears of Filippo Brunelleschi, better known in Florence as Pippo the Fool. As soon as he heard about the contest, Pippo knew it was the chance he had been waiting for. If I can win the contest, I will finally lose that nickname once and for all! This book tells the story of the construction of an architectural masterpieceBrunelleschis Dome. Tracey E. Fern depicts Pippos prickly personality with humor and warmth, and Pau Estradas richly detailed illustrations bring Renaissance Florence to life. An excellent way to introduce kids to an important moment in Western engineering and history.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
*Starred Review* With a great deal of charm and buttressed by understated humor, Fern tells a fictionalized story of Renaissance architect and engineer Filippo Brunelleschi and his most magnificent work, the dome of the Cathedral of Florence. When word comes out of a contest to determine who will design the dome, Pippo, a goldsmith known for his beautiful but useless oddities, is determined to win and shed his unwanted nickname. The judges decide upon his visionary design but also decree that he must work in concert with his chief rival and primary heckler, Lorenzo. Pippo is dismayed at the prospect of doing all the work and only receiving half the glory, but his determination to see his plan through to fruition wins out. Throughout, Estrada’s timeless art highlights Florence’s orange-roofed architecture and colorfully attired citizens. Readers won’t realize just how massive a project constructing the dome really was until they arrive at the scale-shifting detail of tiny workers, scaffolds, and cranes, a scene like something from David Macaulay’s The Way Things Work (1988). Although the primary drama between Pippo and Lorenzo is played out with grade-school churlishness, it offers a handy morality lesson: take joy in one’s accomplishments rather than the accolades to which they might lead. An afterword fleshes out some of the historical and engineering details of the dome for those inquisitive about the Renaissance. Grades 1-3. --Ian Chipman
About the Author
Tracey E. Fern writes for various magazines and is the author of children's historical books including, Buffalo Music (Clarion), Dare the Wind (FSG), and W is for Webster (Melanie Kroupa Books).
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
All picture books should be like this one!,
By
This review is from: Pippo the Fool (Junior Library Guild Selection (Charlesbridge Hardcover)) (Hardcover)
I heard this story long ago... most certainly from my story-telling aunt, who had the power to do exactly what this phenomenal books does: to turn real life stories into a delightful tale for children! But while my good auntie illustrated her stories with words in a way only she could do, this new publication is illustrated by lines and color in a way that will captivate young and old alike. One would be reminded of Tomie De Paola, but a Tomie de Paola turned-to-life with much more realistic, rich-in-detail full page spreads.
The story is one of big dreams, inventiveness, and great doses of courage and perseverance. Half a millennium ago in Florence, the great cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was all built, but for the dome... and a contest was announced for the building of an architectural feat never done before. Little Pippo, called the fool by the people, a goldsmith, dreamed of a plan... and had to undergo quite a bit to accomplish it! Pictures books are such integral part of our family life... and books such as Pippo the Fool come to entertain, to educate and to delight. Hats off to writer and illustrator. Do not miss this gem!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Renaissance feast for the eyes and soul!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Pippo the Fool (Junior Library Guild Selection (Charlesbridge Hardcover)) (Hardcover)
"Pippo the Fool" is a delightful trip back in time to 15th Century Florence. Young readers, as well as used-to-be young readers, will immediately sympathize with Pippo, the fool of the city of Florence, whose ideas for fantastic inventions have earned him the unfortunate nickname. But, as a wise many once said, "the man with a new idea is a crank until the idea succeeds." And so it goes for Pippo. His perseverance pays off and his idea to achieve the impossible succeeds and he loses his detested nickname.
Tracy Fern has created a charming portrait of a little-known genius, whose accomplishment was equal to the achievements of Leonardo or Michelangelo. Readers will identify with "the little guy" who battles against the tide of public opinion to achieve what others consider the impossible. . Pau Estrada's superb and richly detailed illustrations recall the paintings of Renaissance masters while giving a very human face to the misunderstood Pippo. Together they have created a book that is a must-have for anyone who wants to introduce children to Renaissance art and architecture. .
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EDUCATIONAL, ENTERTAINING, ENCHANTING !,
This review is from: Pippo the Fool (Junior Library Guild Selection (Charlesbridge Hardcover)) (Hardcover)
What pleasure to find a book for youngsters that is both thoroughly entertaining and educational. Young readers will smile and learn through the pages of Pippo The Fool. His given name was Filippo Brunelleschi but some five centuries ago there were those in Florence who called him Pippo the fool.
That city's Santa Maria del Fiore was amazing, an unparalleled example of architecture and engineering. It only lacked one thing - a dome. So, those in power decided to have a contest to determine who might design the dome. "The news swept across the broad piazzas and twisted through the narrow streets of Florence. `To design a dome for the cathedral,'the market women whispered over their plump purple figs." Never had there been so much excitement! The word reached Pippo, a goldsmith who created beautifully delicate pieces but he wanted to do more. Much of his time was spent designing structures that people considered odd. He decided that if he could win the contest he would no longer be called Pippo the fool. Renaissance masters including Lorenzo Ghiberti made fun of Pippo, saying no one would let him design even a simple shack. Although the construction of such a dome had puzzled Italian architects for a century, Pippo worked and worked, determined that he could do it. The judges scoffed at him and carried him out of the cathedral "like a platter of pasta." Still he persevered. Youngsters will learn the value of determination, thoughtfulness and imagination in this colorful story of Filipo Brunelleschi. Pau Estrada's illustrations are a delight, bringing Renaissance Florence to us with bold bright full page paintings. Highly recommended. - Gail Cooke
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Inside This Book
(learn more)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
