The Adventures of Danny da Vinci (Danny da Vinci, #1-3)

Description

'A great way to introduce history to children' -- Kids' Book Review Danny da Vinci and his best friend Mick Angelo are adventurers -- artistic adventurers -- who share a passion for painting and sculpture. Together the young artists meet the very important Duke of Milan, who in The Giant Horse of Milan commissions Danny's Uncle Leo to produce a marble statue of himself -- with unexpected results. In The Flying Machine of Lombardy, the Duke issues a challenge to create a flying machine, and in The Secret of the Mona Lisa, Danny and Mick want to enter the art exhibition that the Duke holds every year, and surprisingly it is Danny's sister Lisa who inspires them. Created by talented duo Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley, this clever and funny collection celebrates the extraordinary artistic genius of Leonardo da Vinci. PRAISE FOR DANNY DA VINCI: THE SECRET OF THE MONA LISA 'Rosie Smith and Bruce Whatley have produced a charming introduction to the work of Leonardo da Vinci' -- The Children's Book Council of Australia's Reading Time 'Here is a picture book with a difference! ... It is a great way to introduce history to children, engaging them to think beyond the book and research the life of Leonardo da Vinci ... It would appeal to reluctant readers with its interesting content and easy-read qualities ... I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as did my daughter, who immediately after reading, grabbed some clay and began sculpting a masterpiece!' -- Kids' Book Review

Husband and wife team Bruce Whatley and Rosie Smith have an advertising background, working in both London and Sydney. Their first picture book, The Ugliest Dog in the World, was published in 1992 and was followed closely by Looking for Crabs. Both award-winning titles are still in print. Other major collaborations include Whatley's Quest, Detective Donut and the Wild Goose Chase and Little White Dogs Can't Jump. Many of Bruce and Rosie's early books were based on their family and often featured their children, Ben and Ellyn - and their unusually ugly dogs! The Danny da Vinci series was inspired by a love for Italy and the remarkable genius of Leonardo da Vinci that Bruce and Rosie wanted to share with young people. Bruce Whatley is one of Australia's most highly regarded and talented authors and illustrators for children, both here and internationally. Since 1992 Bruce has written and/or illustrated over 90 picture books. In 2002 he paired with author Jackie French and illustrated Diary of a Wombat, which was the start of an extraordinary creative collaboration. www.brucewhatley.com