Praise for Amazing Leonardo Inventions You Can Build Yourself
The New York Times Book Review
“Anderson regales us with tales of Leonardo's brilliant, often mischievous nature, and the nearly unfathomable range of his inventions.”
School Library Journal
“A welcome addition to schools.”
Old Schoolhouse Magazine
“Will keep the kids occupied with constructive activities and is sure to spur on their own creative inventions.”
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“More than an activity book, this nifty volume explores Leonardo's life, times and endless imagination.”
KLIATT
“A pleasurable read . . . encourages the young reader to appreciate the unconventional pathfinder.”
Publishers Weekly
“Bring[s] an immediacy to da Vinci's life and work.”
Science News
“This educational guide gives children age 9 and up hands-on experience, using materials found readily around the house, with creating their own version of some of Leonardo's inventions.”
Calliope Magazine
“Amazing Leonardo Inventions You Can Build Yourself by Maxine Anderson is a terrific resource, with its detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams and templates for creating projects that Leonardo designed. The accompanying text introduces the reader, in a personal way, to one of the world's greatest inventors.”
Curriculum Connections
“Anderson offers an ingenious introduction [to Leonardo] that crosses the curriculum.”
Science Books and Films
“The book is perfect for capturing a middle schooler's attention! Highly Recommended.”
Chosen as one of "Our Favorite Things" for the 2006 holidays by Family Fun Magazine
“Decoding Da Vinci's sometimes ingenious, sometimes outlandish discoveries proves to be great fun in Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself.”
Children's Digest
“Experience the ingenuity of Leonardo da Vinci firsthand.”
Children's Literature
“This is a book of fun and creativity.”
The Times Record, Brunswick, ME
“Finally, a da Vinci book even kids will get into.”
Kirkus Reviews
"Five famous artists of the Renaissance—Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian—are introduced in a format aimed at getting young readers to think. The tone is conversational and provokes curiosity over fact mastery and passive consumption. A conscientious examination of the subject that encourages critical thinking, application, and broad perspective."
School Library Connection"The first in a series of titles on the period, this title is broken into five quick chapters that highlight the usual suspects of the Renaissance period: Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. Each section begins with fast facts and an engaging timeline which highlights the major lifetime achievements of each artist, and concludes with two or three history projects for teachers and students to consider. The chapters are engaging in content and presentation. Recommended."
Booklist STARRED Review (October 15, 2018 issue)Gr. 5–8 This is a wonderfully enticing introduction to the Renaissance via the lives of five artists: Michelangelo, da Vinci, Titian, Botticelli, and Raphael. An accessible introduction offers a concise overview of just what exactly the Renaissance was, establishing social and historical context, and then five chapters explore the contributions and lasting impact of each painter. The heavily illustrated text covers basic biographical information—family background, training, relationships (including sexual orientation), even personal appearance and grooming. It also delves into artistic style: early influences, techniques, innovations, major works, public reaction, and so on. Side bars abound, from brief sketches of other artists, including women to blurbs on where masterpieces are currently located, and updates on what was going on concurrently in other parts of the world (Afghanistan, Mali, Japan, Mexico). Pages are peppered with reflective questions, topics for further exploration, and invitations to compare works of art using identified criteria. Each chapter ends with a variety of STEAM projects: make this, analyze that, check out this Khan Academy clip. There are time lines, quotes, clues to figuring out unfamiliar vocabulary terms (plus a glossary in the back), and further resources in print (books) and digital (videos, museum web sites, and QR codes). This appealing package will attract browsers and be a boon to student researchers and their teachers.
Archimedes Notebook STEAM into the Renaissance with this series"Nomad Press has a fun new series out called Renaissance for Kids. The books in this series invite readers to dive into the Renaissance period and learn about inventors, thinkers, explorers, and artists. The series includes plenty of hands-on STEAM activities... Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Each volume is 112 pages; ages 10 - 15Titles include: The Renaissance Artists, The Renaissance Explorers, The Renaissance Inventors, The Renaissance Thinkers
What I like about these books: They include timelines for each person, provide great biographical details, and mention other scientists, inventors, artists, and explorers living at the same time. Sidebars present quick facts, additional information about the culture, and raise questions for curious readers."
