Traces the life and times of Leonardo da Vinci showing his effect on the world of art and on the history of the Italian Renaissance. Gr 6-9-While this book offers an intriguing look at the Renaissance, readers seeking a biography of da Vinci should look elsewhere. The strength of this work is in setting the artist and inventor squarely in his world and giving young people an idea of what life was like at the time. Lassieur notes that da Vinci was 40 at the time Columbus first landed in America, giving a sense of major world events. At times, she captures the excitement of this remarkable period of creativity. Unfortunately, there are only a few illustrations of the subject's work, and all are reproduced in black and white. Stuart A. Kallen's Leonardo da Vinci (Lucent, 2000), for a slightly older audience, has a scholarly tone but does a much better job with the pictures even though limited to the black-and-white format. Diane Stanley's Leonardo da Vinci (Morrow, 1996) remains the best combination of art and biography.-Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Used Book in Good Condition