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Waiting for Filippo: The Life of
Renaissance Architect Filippo Brunelleschi.
Michael Bender.
Grades 4 and Up / Ages 8 to Adult.
****/4
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excerpt:
POP-UP ENTHUSIASTS will love this three-dimensional look at the life of a
man who charged the history of architecture. Brunelleschi lived in
Florence as an apprentice goldsmith and sculptor. In 1401 he entered
the famous competition to design the Baptistry doors. Brunelleschi and
Ghiberti were chosen as the winners. But Filippo turned the commission
and decided to work in architecture.
Michael Bender's
text relates Brunelleschi's accomplishments in a casual and readable
style, accompanied by many black-and-white and colour illustrations.
Bender explains
Brunelleschi's development of a theory of perspective, and even young
readers could easily follow the rules for one-point perspective and draw
their own buildings. Brunelleschi's major feat -- the design for the dome
of the Cathedral of Florence -- is explained through a lift-the-flap
structure that reveals the ribs and wooden beams that held the dome
together. The pop-ups are beautifully designed and executed, especially
the two most dramatic: a theatre, and a citadel that towers above the
page.
An informative
and entertaining book with an appealing approach.
Highly recommended.
Lorraine Douglas is Youth Services Coordinator for the Winnipeg Public Library.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cmeditor@mts.net.
Copyright © 1996 the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364