Leonardo da Vinci by Diane Stanley

1. Bibliography
Stanley, Diane. 1996. LEONARDO DA VINCI. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688104371.

2. Summary
Born the illegitimate son of a leading citizen of Vinci and a peasant girl in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci grows up under the tutelage of his Uncle Francesco, who encourages his fascination with nature. Deprived of a formal education because of his illegitimate status, Leonardo becomes the apprentice of a noted Florentine artist and is eventually accepted into the painters' guild. From there, he serves under the patronage of several influential leaders of the time as his artwork gains acclaim. But painting is not his only talent. Over his lifetime, he delves into sculpture, mechanical innovations, and anatomy research (through dissection of human corpses). He is THE Renaissance man.

3. Critical analysis
Beautifully illustrated and well-written, Diane Stanley's LEONARDO DA VINCI paints the Renaissance artist, engineer, and scientist as a brilliant yet fallible human. Her conversational tone and informative, narrative style are sure to keep children's interest. Drawing on various sources (noted in the bibliography), including Leonardo's own writings, she clearly distinguishes between fact and fiction, certainty and surmise: "There is a story that...," "It is said that...," "In fact...." A pronunciation guide in the front of the books helps young readers with the Italian words and names.

Stanley's full-page illustrations complement Leonardo's story. Prepared using watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil, they portray Leonardo in his various endeavors through the very tones prevalent in Leonardo's artwork. She seamlessly blends minatures of Leonardo's most famous pieces using photo collage, allowing readers to see Leonardo creating his masterpieces. At the top of each text page is a different image from Leonardo's notebook. The gold knotted border, adapted from a design by Leonardo, captures the mood of the era.

Stanley has produced an intelligent, captivating account of Leonardo da Vinci's life.

4. Review Excerpts
Publishers Weekly--"A virtuosic work."
School Library Journal--"...gives readers a fascinating portrait of the Italian genius. "
New York Times Book Review--"... is a first class production in every way."
ALA Booklist--"This is the best of the many children's books on Leonardo."

5. Connections

Marshall, Norman V. 1981. LEONARDO DA VINCI. Ill. by Aldo Pipamonti. ISBN 0382240073.
McLanathan, Richard. 1990. LEONARDO DA VINCI. ISBN 0810912562.
Muhlberger, Richard. 1994. WHAT MAKES A LEONARDO A LEONARDO? ISBN 0670857440.

Other biographies by Diane Stanley:

BARD OF AVON: THE STORY OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. 1998. ISBN 0688162940.
CLEOPATRA. 1997. ISBN 0688154808.
CHARLES DICKENS: THE MAN WHO HAD GREAT EXPECTATIONS. 1993. ISBN
0688091105.

GOOD QUEEN BESS: THE STORY OF ELIZABETH I OF ENGLAND. 2001. ISBN 0688179614.
JOAN OF ARC. 2002. ISBN 0064437485.
MICHAELANGELO. 2003. ISBN 0060521139.
PETER THE GREAT. 1999. ISBN 0060521139.