Leonardo da Vinci

Young readers will follow Leonardo from his childhood in the small village of Vinci, Italy, where he sketched animals and dreamed of flying machines, to his training as an artist and his creation of world-famous paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. Along the way, they’ll see how his endless imagination and fascination with nature shaped his life’s work. But his talents didn’t stop there…

Throughout his life, Leonard set himself challenges. Lacking any real formal education, at the age of 30, he taught himself Latin. Around this time, he moved to Milan to work for the ruling Sforza family as an engineer, sculptor, painter, and architect. From designing flying machines to sketching the first ideas for submarines and robots, Leonardo’s brilliant and technical mind meant he was always thinking centuries ahead of his time. Now, this book brings his groundbreaking inventions and wide-ranging genius to life.

Leonardo’s work continues to influence art, science, and innovation today. His story teaches children to embrace their curiosity, explore their passions, and never stop learning. By showing how one person’s imagination can shape the future, this inspiring book will spark creativity in young readers and encourage them to see the world through curious, questioning eyes—just like Leonardo.

This powerful book features detailed illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of Leonardo’s life. 

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats: board books with simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers; hardcover versions with expanded stories for beginning readers; treasuries that bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume, with rewritten text for older children; boxed gift sets by theme; plus activity books and a journal.

Select praise for the New York Times Bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series:

“…cute and quirky…”—USA Today, in praise of Dolly Parton
“…address[es] not only setbacks but also their strength to persevere and reach their goals.”—Buzzfeed, in praise of RuPaul
“…introduc[es] kids to important figures in Latinx history.”—Good Housekeeping, in praise of Frida Kahlo
“…[an] extraordinary series…”—TheEverymom, in praise of Mindy Kaling
“…a fabulous way to teach little ones about the extraordinary lives of influential people…”—Town & Country, in praise of Vincent Van Gogh
“...handled in an age appropriate way…”—Parents.com, in praise of Amanda Gorman
“…particularly great for this age…”—NY Magazine, in praise of Prince
“…encourages kids to dream big to ‘achieve incredible things.’”—Rolling Stone, in praise of Kamala Harris