Synopses & Reviews
Famous in his time as a painter, prankster, and philosopher, Leonardo da Vinci was also a musician, sculptor, and engineer for dukes, popes, and kings. What remains of his work-from futuristic designs and scientific inquiry to artwork of ethereal beauty-reveals the ambitious, unpredictable brilliance of a visionary, and a timeless dreamer.
Robert Byrd celebrates this passionate, playful genius in a glowing picture book replete with the richness and imagination of Leonardo's own notebooks. Twenty lavish spreads, including side drawings, supplemental texts, and quotes from Leonardo's writings, highlight distinct periods and make the master's art, jokes, explorations, and inventions wonderfully vivid and accessible. A striking tribute to an irrepressible mind and to the potential within all who are curious.
Review
"From the birth of Greece, wrought by Poseidon’s shaking his trident, to Theseus’s rule over the mountainous land of the Ancients, this retelling of the hero’s mythical adventures is a joy to read. Byrd masterfully interweaves the legends of Aegeus, Heracles, the Minotaur, Ariadne, and Icarus with the story of Theseus. Myths that are normally quite complicated become easy to decipher in this outstanding version, for Byrd tells the tales simply and clearly, including important details and tying up all loose ends so that everything blends together seamlessly." -School Library Journal, starred review
Review
PRAISE FOR BRAVE CHICKEN LITTLE:
"Byrdand#8217;s rewrite of the Chicken Little story is a distinct improvement on traditional versions...pen-and-ink spreads drawn with a sense of lyricism [are] pleasantly at odds with the slapstick prose."and#160;and#8211;and#160;Publishers Weekly,and#160;starred review
"So much attention and detail has been lavished on each flora and fauna enhanced spread that children will want repeat viewings. That will give them more time to catch the humor that can be broad (CL cellar escape) or subtle (the range of expressions on the animalsand#8217; faces)."and#160;and#8211; Booklist, starred review
"This is the most fun version of Chicken Little since Paul Galdone's Henny Penny (Seabury Press, 1968)."and#160;and#8212;Library Media Connection
and#8220;A handsome, most welcome addition to theand#8230;literature of folk and fairy tales.and#8221; and#160;and#8212;Kirkus
and#8220;Byrd upends both the classic taleand#8217;s conventions and its cautionary message; still, his revision works as an underdog-makes-good story, much abetted by his elegantly detailed illustrations.and#8221; and#8212;Horn Book
"Alliteration, occasional rhyming, and poetic language add richness to the storytelling and strengthen the readaloud potential."and#160;and#8212;BCCB
PRAISE FOR ELECTRIC BEN, ALSOand#160;BY ROBERT BYRD:
"A beautifully realized labor of love and affection brings to life one of our brightest founding fathers." and#8211; Kirkus, starred review and#160; "...this book shimmers with excitement, begging to be read." and#8211; The Horn Book, starred review and#160; "It's a fascinating and comprehensive portrait, and an asset for student research." and#8211; Publishers Weekly, starred review and#160; "Large in format and ambitious in scope, this appealingly designed book spotlights Benjamin Franklin and his times." and#8211; Booklist, starred review and#160; "Author/illustrator Robert Byrd presents highlights of the long and varied life of one of Americaand#8217;s most famous citizens in this picture book biography." and#8211; Library Media Connection, starred review and#160; and#8220;a true standoutand#8230;bright, witty, informative and cleverly organized as the man himself.and#8221; and#8211; The New York Times
Synopsis
Whack What's that?
Could it be? A piece of the sky
Oh my
Chicken Little and his friends run, run, run to tell the king. Nothing stands in the way except...the sly Foxy Loxy. Surely they have time to stop for lunch with Foxy and his kits. But what happens when Chicken Little and company find themselves on the menu?
What this classic story needs is a new ending and a brave hero. And maybe this time, it's Chicken Little
Cleverly retold and exquisitely illustrated by Robert Byrd, Brave Chicken Little transforms a cautionary fable into a tale of triumph.
Synopsis
Lavishly illustrated and impeccably researched, this is a dynamic retelling of one of the greatest adventure stories of all time. Join Theseus as he solves the mystery of his birth, vanquishes a colorful cast of robbers, and volunteers to slay the frightful half-bull, half-man devouring the children of Athens. In a captivating tale for readers of all ages, destinies tragic and glorious splendidly unfold.This is a sure bet for fans of mythology and a wonderful introduction for readers who have not yet discovered the fascinating world of the ancient Greeks.
Synopsis
The ancient Romans used the word barbarian to describe people who were coarse, rude, or even just foreign. Over time the word has also come to connote bloodthirsty cruelty. But were the Goths, the Huns, the Vikings, and the Mongols as barbaric as we?ve been led to believe? In dynamic, detailed spreads that young readers will pore over, bestselling author Steven Kroll and illustrator Robert Byrd explore how these nomadic warriors lived, worshipped, and celebrated. Their wandering armies brought together Europe and Asia through trade and conquest and, in doing so, changed the world forever.
Synopsis
Whack! Whatand#8217;s that?and#160; Could it be? A piece of the sky!and#160; Oh my! and#160; Chicken Little and his friends
run, run, run to tell the king. Nothing stands in the way except...the sly Foxy Loxy. Surely they have time to stop for lunch with Foxy and his kits. But what happens when Chicken Little and company find themselves on
the menu? What this classic story needs is a new ending and a brave hero. and#160;And maybe this time, itand#8217;s Chicken Little! and#160; Cleverly retold and exquisitely illustrated by Robert Byrd, Brave Chicken Little transforms a cautionary fable into a tale of triumph.
About the Author
Robert Byrd is quite certain that all stories need a good ending, and heand#8217;s been thinking of a new ending for the classic Chicken Little since he was a boy. For over thirty years, Robert has created whimsical books for children of all ages. He teaches Children's Book Illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey, with his wife, Ginger, and their cat, Mickey Mantle.and#160;