Leonardo Da Vinci: Renaissance Genius (Trailblazer Biographies) [Hardcover]

Barbara O'Connor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Outstanding writing and design result in a compelling and accessible portrait of this master artist. O'Connor begins with Leonardo's childhood in the Italian village of Vinci, whose name was adopted by Leonardo's family, and continues through the artist's death. The book also discusses some of his famous paintings, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, and the extraordinary stories of their creation. Finally, Leonardo's work on scientific experiments and inventions is explored in detail. The organization and flow are first rate, and color reproductions of his paintings appear throughout. Thorough research is evident in both the text and in the several appendixes that include a discussion of the locations of the artwork, quotes from him, time lines, and biographies of other Italian Renaissance painters. Despite the emphasis on research, the author makes it clear that what is known about Leonardo's life is limited, sketchy, and sometimes more legend than fact. An engaging biography that will open up Leonardo's world to students.
Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876144679
• ISBN-13: 978-0876144671
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,124,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Inventions & Inventors

More About the Author

Barbara O'Connor was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. She draws on her Southern roots to write award-winning books for children in grades 3 to 6. Her awards include the Parents Choice Gold and Silver Award, American Library Association Notable Books, and IRA Notable Books for a Global Society. Her books have been nominated for children's choice awards in over 20 states and voted as a state favorite by children in South Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, and South Dakota. When Barbara isn't busy writing, she travels to schools to conduct writing workshops with young students, works in her garden, walks with her dogs, and thinks up ways to avoid cooking.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "no one knows exactly" diminishes tone of the biography, June 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Leonardo Da Vinci: Renaissance Genius (Trailblazer Biographies) (Hardcover)

6/15/04 The Trailblazer biography "Leonardo Da Vinci,Renaissance Genius" by author Barbara O'Connor has many interesting "tidbits and facts", Its major negative is the use of "might" to "maybe" prefacing so many pieces of trivia ;these reminders that all about DaVinci is not documented fact, take away some of the merit of the many facts and photos ,since the reader's seeing a "possibly" or "perhaps" is ongoingly from Pgs 9 - 99(The pgs prior to 9 and after 99,are intro,bibliography, etc. The pictures by the artist chosen by the author to insert were quite fine; the section on "sources for books,websites" as well as "quotes" attributed to DaVinci also were quite a plus.