The Last Notebook of Leonardo

Praise for Squiggle and Billy and the Birdfrogs:

＂The characters are exceptional, weird, true to life, funny, scary, different, and definitely perk the story . . . an exceptional job. . . . Children will truly enjoy this book.＂--Midwest Book Review

＂Billy survives by the sheer weight of its own insane internal logic. . . . For those funny-book junkies out there, Billy fulfills a need. Downright weird, and that’s a-okay with me, it’s worth a gander.＂--School Library Journal

＂One of the best books we have read this year . . . intelligent, well composed, with a strong narrative, likable characters, and just enough scariness and tension to make it hard to put down.＂--BooksForKids.com

＂Mystery, suspense, and conflict build a plot of nonstop adventure. Character development is superb . . . clever illustrations, delightful humor, and a marvelous story. . . . Entertaining, downright funny, and highly imaginative. A great read.＂--Midwest Book Review

Jem’s father, a scientific genius, turns himself into a nine-foot orangutan. When their landlord suggests that they leave, they pack their belongings onto a huge wagon and set out on the ultimate adventure: to find the last resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, who, according to his last notebook, may not have died in Italy. They are joined by an old Indian woman, and the threesome’s adventures lead to the most unlikely of places--and meetings. Tidbits of science, fun facts about da Vinci and his works, and B.B. Wurge’s trademark wacky humor, minimalist illustrations, and lessons on the importance of family make this third novel as exciting as the last two.

B.B. Wurge began writing children’s books after his first career as an orangutan in a primate house. He says, ＂I’ve been told the world is crazy, more now than ever. Children can navigate through our crazy world if they stick to fundamental principles: loyalty to family and friends, compassion, and an open imagination.＂ He is the author of the middle-grade novels ＂Billy and the Birdfrogs＂ and ＂Squiggle.＂ Wurge lives in an elevator in Manhattan.