Pippo The Fool - Tracey E. Fern

Illustrated by Pau Estrada
Published Feb, 2009
Charlesbridge
Older kids, 2nd-6th?
48 pgs.
$15.95
Rating: 4
Author's Note, Illustrator's Note, Resource List
Endpapers: White, with a hazy hilly landscape covering a small part of the bottom corner

This is an iteresting and FUN tale, based on the true story of Filippo Brunelleschi and his truly amazing cathedral dome - an extraordinary work of genius, especially for the early 1400's. The movers and shakers of Florence wanted a dome designed and built for their cathedral. Many artists and engineers of the day attempted designs, but none seemed able to actually WORK...until Pippo's. However, everyone thought him a fool, so he built a model to show them the intricasies, of which there were many - truly exceptional ideas. It took many, many years to build, but he was called a genius for evermore.

I love a gorgeous, interesting, informative picture book, and that's what we've got with this one. Estrada's illustrations work beautifully with Fern's excellent writing - full of figurative language and wonderful words.