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Jul 10
Kirkus Reviews

In a format similar to his Now & Ben (2006), Barretta points out the links between one man’s genius and the development of a varied catalogue of creations. The author acknowledges that many of the ideas mentioned never bore fruit during Leonardo’s lifetime, but drawings and information from his numerous notebooks show that he did indeed posit possible predecessors to such disparate items as parachutes, armored tanks, scuba gear and rotisserie cookers.

The colorful, cartoon-style illustrations show an elderly Leonardo observing the world around him and/or testing his theories on the right side while the left-hand pages reveal the (relatively) modern ideas and inventions to which parallels are being drawn. The pictures also offer sly humor (look for the Mona Lisa enjoying a bowl of spaghetti) and hint at a level of sophistication required from readers. The text likewise challenges the notion that all picture books are for primary grades with a high-level vocabulary and the inclusion of explanatory notes written backwards, just as Leonardo himself wrote. Energetic, engaging and eclectic – just like its subject.


Gene's Books

The Bat Can Bat : A Book of True Homonyms Lincoln and Kennedy : A Pair to Compare Timeless Thomas : How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives The Bass Plays The Bass : and other Homographs. (FORMERLY: Zoola Palooza) Neo Leo : The Ageless Ideas of Leonardo Da Vinci Jack The Tripper Dear Deer : A Book of Homophones Now & Ben : The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin


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