Funny Machines for George the Sheep: A Children's Book Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci

K-Gr 3—George, a sheep, has a rather unusual problem. Every time he gets wet, he shrinks to the size of a mouse. Leo, his shepherd, helps out by creating different inventions and concepts to help him stay dry, like a circular house on wheels to protect him from the rain and giant wings to help dry his back; readers learn later that these creations were actually designs for Leonardo da Vinci's army tank and ornithopter. Leo finally decides on a pyramidlike umbrella, which was actually da Vinci's concept for a parachute, to shield George from the rain. However, this only causes more problems, and Leo must keep coming up with ideas to help out his friend. Although the story ends abruptly, it does introduce ideas of what inventors or engineers do and how they must try out different prototypes before creating a useful product. The book concludes with a short biography of da Vinci as well as photographs and descriptions of the real machines used in the book. This is a good introduction to the artist's work, and its oversize illustrations and use of invention make it great for a STEAM-powered storytime.—Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI