Customer Reviews

Pippo the Fool (Junior Library Guild Selection (Charlesbridge Hardcover))

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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!

"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.
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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. .

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

My son and I recently finished reading "Giotto and Medieval Art" by Lucia Corrain. "Pippo the Fool" was a natural progression in our study of medieval history. Both Giotto and Filippo Brunelleschi worked on the Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. Giotto designed the campanile and Brunelleschi the dome. Although more storybook than art history book, "Pippo the Fool" does a beautiful job in describing the many obstacles Brunelleschi overcame in designing his famous "duomo". We found "Pippo the Fool" to be both charming and a good read. Recommended.

I was able to get the Sasek "This is Rome" and "This is Venice" for a recent trip to Italy with our 3.5 year old son. "Pippo's Dome" was the 'sub' I got for our time in Florence. It was a fabulous introduction to the city and the Duomo in particular and he knew all about Pippo and the building of the dome and he climbed to the top, clocking his parents and other adults on the staircase.

A truly excellent book. Cannot recommend highly enough.

I love books that I enjoy reading as much as my 6 year old does. Pippo the Fool is about how the great Italian architect (among other talents) Brunelleschi ignored ridicule and emerged a victor when he invented the method to build an enormous round dome for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. I find that I appreciate the beauty and genius of the Cathedral dome much more after I read a story like this that brings history to life.

The story about Brunelleschi and the building of the dome was FASCINATING to my 6 year old, so it definitely passed the Kid test. The illustrations are gorgeous. We need more books like this to make history, math, art, architecture, and engineering interesting and accessible to young children.

A Junior Library Guild Selection, Pippo the Fool is a children's picturebook based on the true story of the man who designed the dome for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. One of the masters invited to compete for the opportunity to design the dome, Filippo Brunelleschi was also commonly nicknamed Pippo the Fool. But the dramatic design for his dome was beyond anything previously imagined. Could Pippo the Fool truly be Pippo the Genius? A delightful tale about one of Italy's greatest engineers and architects evolves.

Other reviewers have ably described the beautiful illustrations and engrossing story.

To me, however, it's the values that Ms. Fern's book expresses--perseverance, inquisitiveness, reliance on one's own judgments, earned pride--that makes it outstanding. Your children will be both captivated and inspired by a role model with timeless virtues. How rare that is among children's books these days.

The story is great, and the illustrations are wonderful. Very nice way to introduce children (or adults!) to art and architecture.