Michael Pryor (text), Jules Fabers (illus.), Leo da Vinci vs. the Furniture Overlord (Leo da Vinci #2). Random House Australia, 4 Jan 2016, 192pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN 9780857988393
Michael Pryor and Jules Faber’s Leo Da Vinci is an excellently silly story for upper primary school readers. Leo, a “super-genius inventor and world-saver” (127), his friend Mina, and their pig and robot companions tackle the latest supervillian in their home town of Vinci – The Furniture Overlord. Working together, the gang defeats the supervillian and his team of “plywood bullies” (56). Pryor’s writing is fast paced and clever and Faber’s line drawings add to the humour.
Leo Da Vinci is genuinely funny. My favourite bit is the slow speed chase in which the gang uses a blimp made from inflated bouncy castles to track an evil beanbag called “Lumpy”. As Leo says, Lumpy “might be plush but it was cunning” (112). There are also lots of clever lines, such as when “a giant, hulking hot-tub came waddling and splashing over” (132). Leo’s outrageous inventions (drawn with mirror image writing) are a highlight of the book. For instance, his “Whiter-than-Whiteboard” is so white the gang is scared their eyeballs will burst into flames (17).
The book quietly supports difference. Gender roles are gently challenged, as Leo’s Dad cooks dinner and Mina is the best pilot on the team. Leo seems likely to be on the autism spectrum, although the book isn’t didactic about it. He is compiling a list of What Makes A Good Friend, and working on “getting the hang of this humour business” (80). Rather than lecturing to young people, the book simply demonstrates that all these different personalities have something important to add to the team.
I recommend Leo Da Vinci vs. The Furniture Overlord for tweens looking for a humourous action story.
Reviewed by Lian Beveridge