Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer [Hardcover]

Robert Byrd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2003 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Famous in his time as a painter, prankster, and philosopher, Leonardo da Vinci was also a musician, sculptor, and engineer for dukes, popes, and kings. What remains of his work-from futuristic designs and scientific inquiry to artwork of ethereal beauty-reveals the ambitious, unpredictable brilliance of a visionary, and a timeless dreamer.

Robert Byrd celebrates this passionate, playful genius in a glowing picture book replete with the richness and imagination of Leonardo's own notebooks. Twenty lavish spreads, including side drawings, supplemental texts, and quotes from Leonardo's writings, highlight distinct periods and make the master's art, jokes, explorations, and inventions wonderfully vivid and accessible. A striking tribute to an irrepressible mind and to the potential within all who are curious.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-8-A gorgeous biography suitable for group sharing or for independent reading. The brilliant, full-page ink-and-watercolor paintings characterize da Vinci's life in a cartoonlike manner. The animated artwork and lively text that brings together facts and anecdotes keep interest high. The layout varies from page to page. Each spread includes the main biographical text (easily identified by its appearance in cream-colored boxes) accompanied by pertinent art. Light green text sidebars offer additional information and serve as captions to the pictures. The deep purple endpapers are packed with da Vinci quotes written in old-world-style lettering. A bibliography (referencing the quotes), references for the illustrations, suggested Web sites, and further reading (for children and adults) are also included. This excellent resource provides an in-depth look at da Vinci and the impact that his work has had on the world.
Christine E. Carr, Lester C. Noecker Elementary School, Roseland, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. This vision of da Vinci's life, work, and dreams is a celebration of the Renaissance artist's genius. The large-size format with bordered spreads and a variety of framed insets was inspired by the style of Leonardo's own distinctive notebooks, and it incorporates many quotes. Spread captions allow spot reading, but their tiny print demands concentration. The detailed pen-and-colored-ink illustrations create layers of information juxtaposing facts and anecdotes. Diane Stanley's Leonardo da Vinci (1996) presents the time period in an elegant, graceful style, while Byrd saturates his scenes with images to suggest da Vinci's mind overflowing with ideas and questions. The extensive back matter (some in even smaller print) includes an author's note, a lengthy time line, a bibliography that includes Web sites, and sources for the illustrations. Effective book design is carried out even to the endpapers, which are patterned with quotes in tiny simulated handwriting. An impressive tribute to a man whose curiosity and artistic imagination amazed the world, then and now. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Children's Books; 1st edition (July 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525470336
• ISBN-13: 978-0525470335
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #261,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FASCINATING INTRODUCTION FOR YOUNG READERS, August 10, 2003

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer (Hardcover)

There could hardly be a more fascinating or beautiful way to introduce young readers to a man who is arguably one of the greatest geniuses the world has ever known, Leonardo da Vinci. As an artist in the field of children's book illustrations, Mr. Byrd has few peers. As an author, deft at reaching young minds, he is an expert.

From da Vinci's birth throughout his remarkable life readers are allowed to trace his accomplishments. Much of this data is gleaned from da Vinci's personal notes which are still available today. We learn of his childhood fascination with flying, and his observation of a kite, a bird that glides apparently without effort.

It seems that from boyhood onward he took great delight in nature and its study. In his early teens da Vinci joined his father in Florence where he would spend a dozen years in Verrochio's workshop. He learned much from the renowned sculptor.

From Florence he traveled to Milan where he enjoyed the patronage of a wealthy duke, and was asked to paint the Last Supper. His fame spread. Today, some 500 years after his death, philosophers and artists from throughout the world continue to look to this amazing genius.

Author's notes, and a timeline are included.

- Gail Cooke

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book, October 18, 2007

By 

K. L. Whittingham (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer (Hardcover)

This story is beautifully illustrated and told. Lots of interesting facts about the man, his life and his work. My 8 year old daughter is enjoying it. The language level and some of the concepts are a bit too difficult for my 5 year old, but the pictures have captured her interest.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars picture biography for middle grades, April 13, 2011

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer (Hardcover)

There is so much information in this book. There are long chunks of text, and fascinating drawings and blurbs throughout. The illustrations are filled with quotes from Leonardo.

Includes a notes section, an excellent time line, and a bibliography. This is a book for an interesting child.