Lifelines: Leonardo Da Vinci [Hardcover]

Steve Augarde (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: Lifelines

At just twelve years old, Paulo becomes an apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci, the brilliant artist and inventor. Dull is not how Paulo describes life in Leonardo’s busy studio. There are floors to sweep, paints to mix, errands to run, and drawings to be made. But there are mysterious events, too. Another apprentice is not all that he seems, and an evening visit to a hospital uncovers some very interesting happenings… Paulo’s diary tells of an exciting moment in Renaissance Italy; it’s a young boy’s insight into a fascinating time and place and his glimpse into the mind of one of the world’s greatest geniuses, as well as a story told from the heart.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–8—Through the eyes of a fictional apprentice, the life and work of the master artist is revealed in bits and pieces. Using a diary, the 10-year-old apprentice describes day-to-day activities in the studio, from grinding pigments to accompanying the master to the palace. Glimpses of encounters with art patrons, revelations about Leonardo's specific interest in human and animal anatomy, and his work on war machines are all described. The diary portion is an engaging read, blending fact and fiction. The second half of the book focuses on life during the Renaissance, primarily in Italy, and goes into more depth about Leonardo's life and his work both as an artist and an inventor. This section provides the details that report writers will be looking for. This highly visual book includes reproductions of Leonardo's drawings and paintings and photographs from around Italy, and the journal portion is peppered with original full-color artwork depicting scenes from the apprentice's narrative. The design of the oversize book has the vague feel of the "ology" series without all the flaps, pull-outs, etc. Booktalk this title with Jean Fritz's Leonardo's Horse (Putnam, 2001) to offer up a fun glimpse into the life of one of the world's great artists.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Augarde niftily blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction with this illustrated account of an imagined apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci. At age 10, Paulo is sent to live and work with the master artist, inventor, and engineer in Milan, where he is one of many discepoli (gofers) hoping to one day become a garzone (apprentice). In diary entries, Paulo tells of life in da Vinci’s studio, mixing pigments, studying new artistic techniques, and even accompanying the great man on visits to his patron, Ludovico Sforza. Augarde offers readers a fascinating glimpse of da Vinci at the height of his inventive prowess (spurred on by the military demands of Sforza) as well as his creative apex (at work on The Last Supper), that’s well supported by germane details of life in 1490s Italy. Brown’s artwork, peppered with da Vinci’s distinctive designs, adds liveliness and color to the narrative, while thorough yet inviting back matter delves further into both da Vinci’s importance and the Renaissance. Grades 4-6. --Ian Chipman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Kingfisher (October 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753461749
• ISBN-13: 978-0753461747
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,090,267 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Renaissance

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children, November 21, 2009

By 

Yana V. Rodgers "econkids.rutgers.edu" (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lifelines: Leonardo Da Vinci (Hardcover)

Young Paolo Valenti could not believe his luck: he had secured an apprenticeship in Milan with the celebrated inventor, artist, and scientist Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo had already developed an impressive reputation for his intellect and artistic talent, enabling him to earn hefty commissions from the well-to-do in Milan, including the Duke and his court. His earnings, in turn, allowed him to hire a cadre of apprentices, including Paolo, to help with his work as they learned their trade. With new skills to learn, Leonardo's unusual ideas and hot temper, rumored visits to the morgue, and another apprentice who seemed more a rascal than a help, the days never wanted for excitement.

Steve Augarde complements his informative text with engaging illustrations and splendid photographic reproductions to make Leonardo's insight and artistry accessible to young readers. The format of describing da Vinci's story through the diary entries of a young apprentice works extremely well in stimulating children's interest in Leonardo's contributions. This book should prove a valuable resource for teaching children about how innovation and creative thinking lead to new ways of doing things and a higher standard of living.

5.0 out of 5 stars Will appeal to children ages 8-13, January 20, 2010

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lifelines: Leonardo Da Vinci (Hardcover)

"Leonardo Da Vinci" is a fine viewing of the many talents and works of the famous Renaissance artist/inventor from the viewpoint of his new apprentice, Paolo. Descriptions of common studio tasks and activities, working and living and conditions, and specific joys and challenges of life in 1490's Milan fill this imaginative and accurately researched book. "Leonardo Da Vinci" is also enriched by many reproductions of drawings and artworks in progress attributed to the artist, in addition to many other illustrations of Paolo's daily life as his apprentice. "Leonard Da Vinci" will appeal to children ages 8-13.