Da Vinci

Children's Literature - Judy Silverman

A young girl is in the hospital with two broken legs, and she writes to her uncle about a painting that is hanging on her hospital room wall. When her uncle finds out that it is the Mona Lisa, he becomes very excited, and tells her all about da Vinci. His letters are philosophical as well as historically accurate. Uncle Leo makes Rosa's mind work very hard indeed, but she seems to love the work. And of course, since he sends her pictures to go with his letters, she develops a taste for Leonardo's work. "The desire for knowledge comes naturally to those who are good." Rosa must be extra good-she just eats up her uncle's words, becoming a Leonardo expert in the process. The letters are a little dense for American kids, with their reputed 5-minute attention spans. But if a ten- or twelve-year-old can get through the letters, she (or he) will learn about one of the greatest minds the world has ever known, and enjoy doing it.