Module 5: LEONARDO DA VINCI

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stanley, Diane. 1996. LEONARDO DA VINCI. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 068810438

PLOT SUMMARY
In 1452 the world welcomed Leonardo da Vinci. He was born to a peasant woman and an educated and influential man. His illegitimacy kept him from pursuing a life similar to his father’s so he apprenticed at an artist’s workshop. He spent much of his life searching for a patron whom he could work for and who would support his endeavors. As Leonardo grew into a man and into old age, his experimentation with artistic forms and invention was enlightening and frustrating. He often lost support from the patrons, the church, and other sources due to his nonconformity to tradition.
Not only was Leonardo an artist but he was an observer of the natural world also. He filled journals with drawings of the human body and of his other natural observations for example flight of birds. Many of these observations led to inventions. Although he ventured into many arenas, he always returned to art. After a monetary struggle with his half brothers and sisters following his father’s death, Leonardo found a wonderful patron who revered and respected him. Leonardo spent the last years of his life doing what he loved and bearing the respect and admiration he had sought. He died in 1519 surrounded by admirers.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Quality biographies are supposed to present a person’s life in an accurate and objective manner. Accomplishments as well as failures and faults should be presented so that the subject is seen as a real person and not an idealized icon. Leonardo da Vinci was a revolutionary genius. He changed the face of art and science. He created countless inventions such as underwater breathing apparatus, a posthole digger, a submarine, and pliers. He experimented with new artistic techniques such as chiaroscuro, which is the use of light and dark shadows. However, he was not a perfect man. He did not complete a large proportion of the works he started. Leonardo was stubborn and inflexible. He and Michelangelo had a bitter feud going between them. All of this information is woven together to create an accurate but not sugar coated tapestry of Leonardo da Vinci’s life.
The author, Diane Stanley, is well respected in the field of biography authorship. She is a recipient of the Washington Post / Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction award. The text she writes can be trusted. She uses basic but not oversimplified vocabulary. She does not attempt to impress readers with fancy words but she does not simplify information for young readers. Ms. Stanley does not assume that the reader needs to be talked down to. Definitions and context clues are provided for clarification for all readers. This respect for the reader encourages further investigation and curiosity. What would one need to read more about if all of the terminology was simple and already understood?
The book follows Leonardo’s life chronologically. There is a clear sequence of events. The illustrations used have a classical appeal. They look as though they were painted by a Renaissance painter. The illustration on page 13 is an excellent example. This illustration includes the characters from Leonardo’s life as well as a painting by Leonardo. One can see definite similarities in the facial features and style. Vibrant colors and precise detail make the illustrations and the text come alive. Above each passage of text is a small illustration that appears to be a replication of a drawing from one of da Vinci’s notebooks. The yellowed paper and pencil outlines were an excellent selection.
Overall this is an excellent biography. The author is well respected, so one can rely on the information presented. The illustrations complement the text magnificently. Readers learn about all of Leonardo’s great many deeds and some of his less exemplary moments. All people have them. It is refreshing to see that a genius like Leonardo and this reviewer have something in common: faults.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children
BOSTON GLOBE-Horn Book: Award Honor Book for Nonfiction
ALA Notable Book
BOOKLIST’s Editor’s Choice
BOSTON GLOBE’S Best Books
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL’s Best Books
Starred Reviews in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, BOOKLIST; KIRKUS & PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY

CONNECTIONS
Diane Stanley website
Diane Stanley - Books for Children

Biographical information about Leonardo Da Vinci
Web Gallery of Art, image collection, virtual museum, searchable database of European fine arts (1100-1850)
Leonardo da Vinci: Biography and Much More from Answers.com

Students will read another biography of Leonardo Da Vinci. They will compare and contrast the information presented in both texts.

Students will create an illustrated timeline of the major events of Da Vinci’s life.

Students will create a work of art using a method used or attempted by Da Vinci.

Students will have an Inventors’ fair. Students will solicite other students in the school to invent items to be judged on potential contribution. Student hosts will recreate several of Da Vinci’s inventions for a display at the Inventors’ Fair.