Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Engaging, kid-friendly intro to Italian Renaissance genius.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
I AM LEONARDO DA VINCI follows the kid-sized title character, with his distinctive beard and Renaissance hat, from his birth in 1452 near the small town of Vinci, Italy, through the sparse formal education that taught him to think for himself, and his apprenticeship with a local artist, where he learned hard work and developed a strong thirst for knowledge. He goes on to open his own studio and become a master of painting (think Mona Lisa) -- and also to pursue scientific knowledge and a solution to the problem of how birds fly. Much of his work, considered farfetched for centuries, has finally proved correct in our time, from early designs for what eventually became scuba gear and helicopters to studies of bat wings that inspired the creators of Batman.
Is It Any Good?
Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos' latest kid-friendly bio presents the famous artist and ahead-of-his-time scientist as somebody who'd be pretty interesting to hang out with. No subject seems to escape his notice, and he's not one to let his fears get in the way when he wants to learn more. Whatever a kid's budding interests, chances are Leonardo got there first, and has useful guidance to offer, from the fine points of the chiaroscuro painting technique to designing flying machines. I Am Leonardo da Vinci leaves readers with the encouraging message: "Stay curious. Ask questions. Look closely. And always be daring."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Leonardo was interested in so many different subjects at once, as we learn in I Am Leonardo da Vinci. Are you deeply interested in different things, too, or for you is it all about one thing -- sports? science? music?
Have you read other books in the Ordinary People Change the World series? How do you think I Am Leonardo da Vinci compares with some of the others?
Do you think the Italian Renaissance would have been a fun time to live, or do you think it's better to be living now?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Christopher Eliopoulos
- Genre : Biography
- Topics : Arts , History , STEM
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Dial
- Publication date : April 14, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 5 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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