About This Book
When would a parent reach for this book? Reach for this story when your child is gripped by the 'how' and 'why' of the world, or when they need to see that even the greatest geniuses started with simple curiosity and hard work. It is an ideal choice for nurturing a budding interest in science, art history, or engineering through a relatable, character-driven narrative. The book follows Zoro, a young apprentice in Leonardo da Vinci's Renaissance workshop. While Zoro is diligent and respectful, the arrival of the mischievous Salai leads to a daring (and unauthorized) experiment with Leonardo's secret flying machine. Through their adventures, children encounter themes of responsibility, the thrill of invention, and the importance of learning from failure. It is perfectly pitched for ages 5 to 9, offering a vibrant introduction to a historical figure while maintaining the tension of a great adventure story.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
Physical Peril. The book contains a scene involving a crash landing when Salai attempts to pilot the flying machine. While the character is unhurt and the focus remains on the learning experience, the moment of physical danger may be briefly distressing for very young or sensitive readers.
Ideal Reader
An elementary student who loves building with LEGOs or drawing in the margins of their notebook. It is especially good for a child who feels 'average' and needs to see how much work goes into becoming a 'master.' It is helpful to have a device nearby to show the child high-quality digital photos of the real 'Mona Lisa' or Leonardo's notebooks, as the book uses stylized illustrations that incorporate his sketches.
Parent Prep
To prepare for the historical context of the story, parents may want to explain the master/apprentice power dynamic of the Renaissance. This helps children understand why Zoro’s daily labors were required and why Salai’s theft of the keys was a significant breach of trust within that social structure. A child acting impulsively or breaking rules (stealing keys) to satisfy their curiosity.
Age Experience
Younger children (5-6) will focus on the excitement of the flying machine and the 'naughtiness' of Salai. Older children (7-9) will better grasp the historical context of the Renaissance and the concept of a multi-disciplinary genius.
What Makes It Special
Anholt manages to humanize a historical 'titan' by viewing him through the eyes of children, making the Renaissance feel like a lived-in reality rather than a dusty museum exhibit.
Read plot summary
Set in Renaissance Italy, the story is told through the eyes of Zoro, a dedicated apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci. While Zoro performs the daily labors of an art student, he is captivated by Leonardo's secret inventions. The arrival of Salai, a real-life historical figure known for being a 'little devil,' provides the catalyst for action. Salai steals the keys to the master's secret room and attempts to pilot a flying machine, leading to a dramatic flight and a crash landing that forces the boys to face the consequences of their curiosity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Leonardo tells Zoro that 'everything is connected.' How do his drawings of birds help him design a flying machine?
2
Salai is described as a 'little devil' who ignores the rules. Do you think his curiosity was a good thing or a bad thing in this story?
3
If you had a secret room in your house for inventing, what is the first thing you would try to build?
4
How did Leonardo react when he found out the boys had taken his invention? What does this tell us about his character?
5
Zoro works very hard at small tasks like mixing paints. Why do you think Leonardo makes his students do this before they can paint big pictures?
