Books About The Renaissance

The Best The Renaissance Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Medieval Books, featuring 14 favorites and recommendations by age.

View the guide

Looking for excellent children's books about the renaissance? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Renaissance

The Clown of God
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1978

The Clown of God

By Tomie dePaola

A juggler's last performance on Christmas Eve may lead to a miracle.

48 pages· 1,403 words· Est. 11 min read-aloud
6.1/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,491 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Giovanni, once a celebrated juggler, finds himself poor and forgotten. As Christmas Eve approaches, he decides to perform one last time with his colorful balls. Will this act bring about a miracle? Discover the magic and wonder of a legend where hope and talent intertwine, leading to an unexpected Christmas miracle that could change everything for Giovanni.
I am Leonardo da Vinci
Sale price
$1498
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2020

I am Leonardo da Vinci

By Brad Meltzer, Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator) · Ordinary People Change the World series

Discover how curiosity and creativity shaped Leonardo da Vinci's legendary inventions.

40 pages· 987 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud
4.5 Goodreads · 336 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Meet Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance genius whose insatiable curiosity led him to study birds and sketch early flying machines. This lively biography reveals how his childhood dreams and relentless creativity made him a timeless icon. Explore his journey through engaging illustrations and fascinating facts, inspiring young readers to dream big and follow their passions. What secrets of innovation will you uncover in Leonardo's story?
City
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 1974

City

By David Macaulay

Discover the secrets of Roman architecture and city planning.

112 pages· 6,957 words· Est. 47 min read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,603 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Journey into the heart of Roman civilization, where intricate city planning and architectural marvels come to life. Through detailed illustrations, uncover how Romans built their cities, shaping the lives of their inhabitants. What secrets lie in their ancient designs?
King Bidgood's in the Bathtub
Sale price
$759
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1985

King Bidgood's in the Bathtub

By Audrey Wood, Don Wood (Illustrator)

A king won't leave his bathtub, causing chaos in the kingdom.

Caldecott Honor (1986)
32 pages· 280 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 12,556 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: King Bidgood loves his bathtub so much that he refuses to leave it, even as his kingdom awaits his rule. As the Knight, the Queen, and the Duke try to coax him out, the king remains stubbornly submerged, enjoying his watery realm. What will it take to lure him from his luxurious bath? With each attempt more amusing than the last, the court is left in a sudsy predicament. Discover the surprising reason that finally gets the king out of the tub in this whimsical tale filled with humor and charm.
Who Was Galileo?
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Who Was Galileo?

By Patricia Brennan Demuth, Who HQ, John O'Brien (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

A visionary challenges the universe's secrets, risking everything for truth.

112 pages· 7,827 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,312 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In sixteenth-century Pisa, Galileo dares to defy the cosmos with his groundbreaking telescope. As he champions a sun-centered universe, he faces perilous opposition from powerful authorities. Will his quest for truth prevail against the tides of tradition and danger?
Leonardo da Vinci
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2009

Leonardo da Vinci

By Mary Pope Osborne, Natalie Pope Boyce, Sal Murdocca (Illustrator) · Book #19 in the Magic Tree House: Fact Tracker series

Uncover the mysteries of Leonardo da Vinci with Jack and Annie's fact-finding adventure.

128 pages· 5,985 words· Est. 50 min read
4.1 Goodreads · 547 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Join Jack and Annie as they unravel the mysteries of Leonardo da Vinci's genius. Why was he fascinated by flight? What secrets lie in his famous paintings? Dive into a world of discovery with up-to-date facts, photos, and illustrations. Explore the intriguing questions that arise from their magical adventures and learn what modern scientists think of da Vinci's groundbreaking ideas. This fact-filled journey is perfect for curious minds eager to learn more about the wonders of history and art. Embark on this educational quest and see the world through the eyes of a true Renaissance master.
Michelangelo
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2000

Michelangelo

By Diane Stanley

A genius artist battles perfectionism and betrayal, creating masterpieces and enduring heartbreak.

Orbis Pictus Honor (2001)
48 pages· 7,478 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 779 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Michelangelo, a genius of the Renaissance, struggles with perfectionism and betrayal. His tumultuous relationship with Pope Julius II leads to his greatest triumph, the Sistine Chapel, and his most frustrating failure, a monumental tomb. Can his brilliance overcome the chaos of his life?
Who Was Henry VIII?
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2018

Who Was Henry VIII?

By Ellen Labrecque, Who HQ, Jake Murray (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

Discover the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII, marked by ambition, scandal, and a lasting legacy.

112 pages· 7,287 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 404 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Step into the Renaissance and explore the life of Henry VIII, a king whose reign began with promise but ended in controversy. Known for his six marriages and bold religious reforms, Henry's rule was a mix of brilliance and tyranny. As he navigated power and personal desires, his actions set the stage for his daughter, Elizabeth I, to shine. What drove this complex monarch, and how did his choices shape history? Uncover the intrigue and legacy of a king whose story is as captivating as it is controversial.
A Thousand Glass Flowers
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

A Thousand Glass Flowers

By Evan Turk

A young woman defies tradition to revolutionize Venetian glassmaking.

48 pages
4.1 Goodreads · 274 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: On Murano Island, Marietta Barovier dreams of crafting glass like her father, a master artisan. Despite glassmaking being a man's domain, Marietta's determination leads her to create the exquisite rosetta bead. Her innovation transforms her into a pioneer, leaving a legacy that reshapes the art of glassmaking. Can her creations withstand the test of time and societal norms?
Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2005

Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?

By Roberta Edwards, Who HQ, True Kelley (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

The life of Leonardo da Vinci is explored in this biography.

112 pages· 8,810 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 2,140 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance genius, painted masterpieces and envisioned flying machines, yet struggled to complete his grand ideas. With only thirteen paintings and chaotic notebooks, his life poses the question: What if he had finished? Dive into the enigma of a man whose brilliance was matched by his unfinished dreams.
The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club
Browse by age

The Renaissance Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about the renaissance for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Leonardo da Vinci
Sale price
$1199

Leonardo da Vinci

Ages 4–8 · 1996

Discover the secret experiments and inventions of a genius who defied his era's limits.

Get Up, Elizabeth!
Sale price
$1695

Get Up, Elizabeth!

Ages 4–7 · 2020

A young princess faces the daily challenge of royal grooming.

The Mighty Asparagus
Sale price
$1600

The Mighty Asparagus

Ages 5–9 · 2004

A king battles a giant asparagus blocking his castle.

Leonardo Da Vinci
Series
Sale price
$1199

Leonardo Da Vinci

Ages 7–11 · 2018

Discover the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and other historical icons in a vibrant, child-friendly guide.

View all the renaissance picture books
Browse by age

The Renaissance Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about the renaissance for developing and independent readers.

Who Was Ferdinand Magellan?
Series
Sale price
$699

Who Was Ferdinand Magellan?

Ages 8–12 · 2004

A young Portuguese explorer sets out to circumnavigate the globe, facing numerous challenges and dangers along the way

Da Vinci's Cat
Sale price
$1799

Da Vinci's Cat

Ages 9–12 · 2021

A cat, a wardrobe, and a sketch link two kids across time to save history.

The Second Mrs. Gioconda
Sale price
$899

The Second Mrs. Gioconda

Ages 10–14 · 1975

Why did da Vinci spend years on a mysterious portrait? Discover the hidden story.

Storm Dog
Sale price
$1699

Storm Dog

Ages 10–13 · 2020

Ariel, feeling out of place, finds a lost dog and a new path during a storm in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Isaac Newton
Series
Sale price
$2790

Isaac Newton

Ages 8–12 · 2007

Uncover the genius who illuminated the laws of motion and gravity, transforming our understanding of the universe.

Who Was Michelangelo?
Series
Sale price
$699

Who Was Michelangelo?

Ages 8–12 · 2022

A young boy discovers his passion for art and becomes one of the greatest artists in the world.

View all the renaissance chapter books