The Spark of the Gliding Mind

By Daniel Liang

In the relentlessly, sun-drenched streets of Florence, where the sun hangs above the town like a molten florin, a scruffy, unschooled boy named Allegro is considered a nuisance by everyone he meets. He is spinning like a windmill, overflowing with bizarre questions no one can answer until one, fateful afternoon he accidentally crashes into Leonardo Da Vinci. Recognizing Allegro's infinite curiosity, the inventor brings him to his bottega, where Allegro aides him in his work. Together, they endeavor to construct the Ornithopter, a flying machine made out of seasoned light oak and stiff silk. Pushing past his failures, Allegro must find the courage to take a leap and discover what it truly means to let his mind glide.

The Spark of the Gliding Mind was written by a winner of Ripple Foundation's Kids Write 4 Kids creative writing contest, an annual nationwide challenge for students in Grades 4-8. More than a story, this book celebrates the creativity and imagination of young Canadian writers.

About the Author

Daniel Liang is a Grade 6 student from Richmond Hill, Ontario, and a winner of Ripple Foundation's Kids Write 4 Kids creative writing contest. His love of writing began in kindergarten, and he continues to enjoy creating stories inspired by his imagination, favourite books, and hands-on creative projects.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1927864453
• ISBN13: 9781927864456
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Ripple Foundation
• Length: 26 Pages
• Weight: 0.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"