Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions You Can Build Yourself (Build It Yourself series)

Features

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Cover Type: Paperback with 128 pages
• Published by: Nomad Press January 1, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0974934429
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0974934426
• Book Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Weighs: 11.2 ounces

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Anderson has combined biography with doable activities that mirror ideas found in Leonardo's notebooks. Using common household objects (duct tape, foil, cereal boxes, paper-towel tubes, etc.), readers can make a parachute, hydrometer, invisible ink, walk-on-water shoes, etc. Anderson introduces each project with an explanation of why Leonardo came up with the idea and whether he created just the sketch or the sketch and the object. Detailed steps and illustrations provide clarity. Adult supervision is noted where appropriate. Readers will probably be more interested in the activities than in Leonardo's life and the Renaissance background that Anderson provides, but this title will be a welcome addition to schools in which cross-curricular teaming is in place. Science classes can re-create Leonardo's ideas while English classes can read excerpts from his notebooks and history classes can discuss the Renaissance.-Delia Carruthers, Sunset Ridge Middle School, West Jordan, UT
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Product Review
"Anderson regales us with tales of Leonardo's brilliant, often mischievous nature, and the nearly unfathomable range of his inventions."  —The New York Times Book Review

"More than an activity book, this nifty volume explores Leonardo's life, times and endless imagination."   —Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Will keep the kids occupied with constructive activities and is sure to spur on their own creative inventions."  —Old Schoolhouse Magazine

"This is a book of fun and creativity."  —Children's Literature 

"Bring[s] an immediacy to da Vinci's life and work."  —Publishers Weekly

"Creative, curiosity-provoking, informational, and just plain fun—kids will find it irresistible."  —Home Education Magazine

"The book is perfect for capturing a middle schooler's attention! Highly recommended."  —Science Books and Films

Reader Reviews
We are homeschoolers using this book in part of a unit on Inventors. My eight year old is able to read and enjoy the history behind the different inventions. I thought it would just be a "how to" book, but we are both really enjoying the well written historical information in this book. It really makes Leonardo and the world he lived in come alive. I like to just browse through the book and look at all of Leonardo's sketches as well. The pictures and instructions are fairly easy to follow. The inventions do use common items, but we don't always have the right "common" items at the right times. We have modified most of the directions to use what we actually have in our house. Today we wanted to make the camera obscura, but we just threw out our last empty Pringles can... guess we'll be eating lots of chips in the next week :) Comment | | (Report this)