Leonardo seems terribly scatterbrained for a true genius, but it's true that many of his great projects were left unfinished, and the journey is great fun with a lot of historical detail.  Fortunately, he has Jack and Annie to keep him on track in this quest for happiness.

The marketplace in Renaissance Florence is interesting, and the descriptions of some of the wonderful buildings are accurate, as Jack and Annie follow Leonardo around. Then, when they try to help him get his flying machine in the air, the action gets exciting. Fortunately they have the trusty wand of Dianthus with them, and Annie remembers that it just takes five magic words to make it work. Then, at last, the secret of Mona Lisa's smile is solved. Sal Murdocca's line illustrations add whimsical visual impact to the story.

Mary Pope Osborne's stories of time travel with Jack and Annie are sure to be among your kids' library favorites.  They are great fun to read independently, or aloud at bedtime or family time.  There are wonderful historical events that beg for further research that your family can do together.