Books and a CD-ROM

• Cole, Alison. Eyewitness Art: The Renaissance, Dorling Kindersley, New York, 1994.
  An excellent overview of this exciting period in history. This book emphasizes transformations that took place in the arts, but also integrates history and biography successfully to develop a more complete appreciation of the Renaissance. Contains sections on the "invention of perspective," the genius of Leonardo, and Leonardo's explorations. Suitable for students and adults.
  
  
• Cole, Alison. Eyewitness Art: Perspective, Dorling Kindersley, New York, 1992.
  A fascinating introduction to the theory and techniques of perspective from the Renaissance to Pop Art. Suitable for students and adults.
  
  
• Cooper, Margaret. The Inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, The Macmillan Company, New York, 1965.
  This out-of-print resource provides valuable insights into 110 devices found in the notebooks of Leonardo, placing the ideas in an historical perspective, and explaining the technological ideas. The drawings are from Leonardo's notebooks. A brief biography of Leonardo is included. For adults or students with some teacher assistance.
  
  
• Gibbs-Smith, Charles. The Inventions of Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Scribner's Sons. New York 1978.
  This out-of-print title provides a comprehensive illustrated overview of the inventions described in Leonardo's notebooks. Also includes sections on his investigations of nature and designs for architecture. Text is highly informative but most suitable for older students and adults.
  
  
• Corbis, Inc. Leonardo da Vinci, (CD-ROM) Corbis, Inc. 1996.
  This CD-ROM allows you to tour the complete Codex Leicester, one of Leonardo's notebooks.
  A special tool called the Corbis Codescope ^TM  allows you to translate Leonardo's mirrored Italian into normal English as you view each page. The CD-ROM also contains a gallery of Leonardo's artwork and documents, an interactive timeline, and exhibits about his theories of geology, astronomy, the atmosphere, and movement of water.
  
  
• Macaulay, David. The Way Things Work, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1988.
  Well-known for its illustrations and approach to explaining technology, this work will help students and teachers alike understand every-day technology, such as locks, cars, and computers. Contains excellent and thoroughly understandable explanations of the elements of machines. For students and adults.
  
  
• MacCurdy, Edward ~ translator & editor. The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, Volumes I and II, Reynal & Hitchcock, New York, 1958.
  An out-of-print English translation of some of the notebooks of Leonardo, including some high quality reprints of his illustrations. Selections are organized according to topic. For adults, though teachers will be able to find many sections that students can read and understand.
  
  
• Marshall, Norman. What Made Them Great: Leonardo da Vinci, Silver Burdett Press, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1990.
  Although this historical fiction provides an interesting narrative of Leonardo's life, this book presents some vignettes that are not generally well-supported by historical documentation. For students.
  
  
• Mason, Antony. Famous Artists: Leonardo da Vinci, an Introduction to the Artist's Life and Work, Barron's Educational Series, Inc., London, 1993.
  A brief, accurate, approachable biography on Leonardo, with emphasis on his work as an artist. Liberally illustrated with prints of Leonardo's works and notebook sketches. For students.
  
  
• McLanahan, Richard. First Impressions: Leonardo da Vinci, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 1990.
  For students.
  
  
• Reti, Ladislao ~ editor. The Unknown Leonardo, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1974.
  Many detailed and fascinating prints from Leonardo's notebooks; scholarly but readable, in-depth treatment of various aspects of Leonardo's work. This publication, unfortunately out-of-print, considers information that came to light in the 20th century because of new restoration efforts. For adult readers.
  
  
• Richter, Jean Paul ~ editor. The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, Dover Publications, Inc., New York, 1970.
  This is a two-volume translation of some of Leonardo's notebooks. While the content of this translation overlaps somewhat with the MacCurdy volumes (see above), the arrangement and a substantial portion of the text are different. This edition provides Italian transcripts adjacent to the English translations, as well as numerous reprinted drawings and sketches from Leonardo's notebooks. These illustrations are free of copyrighted restrictions. For adults, though teachers will be able to find many sections that students can read and understand.
  
  
• Romei, Francesca. Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Inventor and Scientist of the Renaissance, Peter Bedrick Books, New York, 1994.
  A clearly written and well illustrated work highlighting Leonardo's development as an artist, scientist and inventor. In addition to annotated full color illustrations of Leonardo's paintings, sketches and ideas for inventions, this book contains photographs, maps and colorful artists reconstructions of locations where Leonardo worked. For students and adults.
  
  
• Stanley, Diane. Leonardo da Vinci, Morrow Junior Books, New York, 1996.
  A lively biography made more accessible with the author's own imaginative illustrations of important events in Leonardo's life. For students.
  
  
• Williams, Jay. Leonardo da Vinci, American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc. New York, 1965.
  This out-of-print biography tells Leonardo's story with many excellent illustrations. For students.
  
  
• Wood, Tim. The Renaissance, Viking Press, New York, 1993.
  A mature but digestible colorful resource touching upon the historical influences, achievements, and outcomes of the European Renaissance. Includes a glossary and chronology. For students.
  
  

Note: Many of the book descriptions in this list were adapted from the Teacher's Guide to the kit Science, Invention, Creativity: Looking at Leonardo.

Museums, Curricula, and Kits

• Eli Whitney Museum, Hamden, CT, 06517.
  This museum celebrates ingenuity, visual and tactile skill development, individual learning styles, student independence, and invention. While dedicated to the works of Eli Whitney, an inventor, the Museum has also developed curriculum resources on Leonardo.
  For information call (203) 777-1833.
  
  
• Museum of Science, Boston MA, 02114.

   

  • Leonardo da Vinci: Scientist, Inventor, Artist.
    This comprehensive traveling exhibit made its only U.S. stop at the Museum of Science, Boston. The exhibit contains over 200 images selected from the entire spectrum of Leonardo's work, dozens of working scale models of his inventions, and interactive CD ROMs providing information on his life and times.
    
    
  • Science, Invention, Creativity: Looking at Leonardo.
    A kit designed for use in classrooms in grades 4-8.
    Includes all materials needed to conduct hands-on inquiry based activities
    with 30 students over a 5 week rental period.
    Museum of Science Kit Rental Program.
    For information call Toll-Free (800) 722-5487.

  
  

• MITS Leonardo da Vinci ~ Science is Elementary, MITS Fall 1994, Volume 6, No. 3.
  Curriculum ideas and resources based on Leonardo da Vinci, published for teachers by the Museum Institute for Teaching Science, 79 Milk Street, Suite 210, Boston, MA 02109
  For information call (617) 695-9771.