Chilly da Vinci

K-Gr 3—Chilly Da Vinci is a young inventor. While his friends are busy doing "penguin things," he builds machines. While many admire his ingenuity, his nemesis, Vinnie, "won't stop gakkering at me." So when the Good Bird accidentally cracks their iceberg, sending Chilly and friends afloat to sea, Da Vinci becomes convinced that his "flying machines stink like rotten orca blubber in the midday sun." To make matters worse, a large whale aka "Mr. Plumpy Fin," appears to be after them. Still, a good inventor never gives up, so Chilly draws up plans for a sea roller made of sea junk and then an underwater boat, the Mega Lisa, both of which are mega failures. Despite Vinnie's continued jeers and his own disappointment, a stroke of genius inspired by a gliding seagull prompts Chilly to use wind power to create a new, improved flying machine. He is successful, delivering his friends home to cheering crowds. An author's note explains Rutland's inspiration, Leonardo Da Vinci, and offers some advice to young innovators. Endpapers are sketched in brown on a weathered brown background to mimic the master's original designs. The illustrations, which appear to be ink and watercolor in black, white, blue and brown, are filled with detailed ink designs, comical asides, and action.