Meet the Artist! – Leonardo Da Vinci

Don’t you just LOVE books about artists?   Particularly ones that are cleverly done?   Today’s art book is called Meet the Artist – Leonardo Da Vinci.   This lovely review book was sent to me by Raincoast and I just oohed and aahed when I opened it up, even my lad came over to check it out.  🙂

From the cover:

Discover the magnificent art of Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance master, through this newest addition to the popular Meet the Artist! series. Leonardo’s full range of work, from his exquisite paintings and sculptures to his brilliant inventions  and codes, is included in this pop-up activity book. Flaps, cutouts, and pull tabs invite young readers and budding artists to engage in a hands-on exploration of history’s most creative genius and even create their own city.

What do you get?

Patricia Geis has put together a great hands-on book to engage the reader in learning about Leonardo Da Vinci. The Meet the artist series also covers Calder, Picassa, Matisse and van Gogh. 

Text on the outer side of the pages provides ample room in the middle of the book to provide room for pop-ups like this one below.    They were amazingly done!

Written for elementary students, numerous pieces of Da Vinci’s work are depicted throughout the pages.  Clear images showing actual paintings, drawings and more.

A 12 year old could easily read through this book, whereas a six year would have fun manipulating the elements.  We are walked his birth, apprenticeship, his notebooks and work, his designs and more.  We catch a glimpse of Da Vinci and learn about how life was back in his day. The work involved in being the artist and designer that he was. 

AND OH MY GOODNESS THAT HORSE!

OH.. You have GOT to learn about the horse.. it was so sad….  but I can’t tell you , though maybe you already know the story.   If not…. Get this book!  Learn!  and no, I”m not showing you that page, I’ll show you this one instead with it’s different interactive elements.

My Thoughts:

If you haven’t guessed… I really like this book.  Lots of hands on elements.  Great information about Da Vinci and the time he lived in.  The Renaissance was such an interesting time period.  So much learning, artistry and science going on, Da Vinci was right in the middle of it.

This book would be an excellent introduction to an artist study, or to add into a Renaissance unit study, or shoot…just be plain fun to go through with a child, learning, growing, discovering… it’s a good to do that eh?  

Meet the Artist : Leonardo Da Vinci
Patricia Geis
Princeton Architectural Press
Ages 6-12, Hardcover
Renaissance, Art Book, Da Vinci
Reviewed for Raincoast Books

Where to find: Amazon.