I truly enjoyed this historical non-fiction book about the massive efforts, time, planning and finances it took to create the bronze horse that Leonardo so desperately desired to place in Milan. There is a lot of history presented in a way that older elementary and middle school students could appreciate. It would definitely be appropriate for teaching an art OR history lesson. In fact, this book would lend itself well across the curriculum for other areas, such as Science, for STEM education regarding the engineering of the actual horse statue itself. This story is not dry. There is a lot of emotion portrayed in the stories of all who helped to create Leonardo's dream to come true. ( )

Kind of fun, but, oddly, Jean Fritz did not choose to be humorous. The illustrations are good. There is a whole two page spread in which Leonardo contemplates other famous equestrian statues. I believe every statue is real; I was annoyed that I could not identify them. ( )

Marvelous. Reads like a story, even though it's not a narrative. Just a beautiful and concise introduction to Da Vinci, his time and place, to art, even to the actual process of making a bronze sculpture. Teachers can use it, and families can love it. ( )

informational, biography, untold story of history, diagrams, dates
Ways to use this book:
*use to add to art study of da vinci, add little known facts
*create a timeline of da vinci's life
compare da vinci with other artists
*study of successful people that were not always successful ( )

This picture book biography starts with Leonardo da Vinci and his vision to create a bronze horse statue in honor of his father. After becoming busy with other famous works he regretfully did not finish the horse and the clay model was destroyed. Several centuries later Charles Dent wanted to finish Leonardo’s horse but he too died without finishing it. However, Charles’ friends and family did finish it after his death and cast it in bronze. Now 500 years after Leonardo started his horse it was finally finished and sent to Milan. The author focuses more on the horse than its makers, making this picture book informational rather than biography.

This book can also show students that math has not changed in a long time. This book also provides students with the knowledge that calculators are not needed to solve math problems. The book also gives insight into Leonardo da Vinci. This book would be good for a cross-curriculum project for students researching da Vinci. Jean Fritz gives some detail to de Vinci’s life without giving all the information.

Informational Nonfiction
Reading Level: 4.6