Reviews: (by author)

Byrd, Robert. Leonardo, Beautiful Dreamer. NY: Dutton, 2003. $17.99. ISBN
0=525-47033-6.

Using the very contemporary layout of multiple panes on each page, Byrd's book presents a wealth of visual variety and historical information. The back flap informs one that Byrd is imitating the rich format of Da Vinci's own
notebooks, demonstrating again the prescient genius of the real Renaissance man. Byrd's book, with its intricate pen work, rich water colors, and whimsically decorated borders is laid out with text in boxes all around the page, like little news bites perfect in length for modern readers. Beautiful bits are written in handwriting, as in a notebook, and there are Notes and a Timeline at the back of the book. This isn't a picturebook for the very young, but for older children who can concentrate on the text and can interpret the visual content.

A. Allison 12/03

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