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Pippo the Fool

Filippo Brunelleschi saw the contest to design the dome for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy, as an opportunity. In the past, his outrageous ideas had earned him the nickname Pippo the Fool. If he won the contest, he would be taken seriously at last. Pippo’s plans for the dome were unlike anything seen before—they showed it set atop the cathedral without any visible means of support. Yet as crazy as the judges found it, they ultimately awarded him the job. There was a hitch, however: he must work with the renowned but arrogant sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti, whose own design had been rejected. Tracey E. Fern’s story about this fifteenth century genius is full of medieval details and architectural insights. Both Fern and illustrator Pau Estrada provide informative endnotes that further illuminate Pippo’s architectural achievement and their approaches to interpreting these historical personalities and events. ©2009 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Pau Estrada

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 8-12
Age Range: Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10) Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: 15th Century Architecture and Architects Difference/Individuality History (Nonfiction)

Publisher: Charlesbridge
Publish Year: 2009
Pages: 40
ISBN: 978157916557

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Fern

Pippo the Fool