Little People, BIG DREAMS series: VINCENT VAN GOGH, great troubled artist, & ROALD DAHL, great troubling writer

VINCENT VAN GOGH
MARIA ISABEL SÁNCHEZ VEGARA (Little People,BIG DREAMS series; illus. Alette Straathof)
Frances Lincoln Children's Books (non-affiliate Amazon link)
$15.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Learn about the life of Vincent van Gogh, one of the world's most influential and best-loved artists.

Little Vincent was a quiet child. He loved spending time in nature and playing with his brother Theo. After leaving school, he began working as an art dealer. Vincent showed promise, but he found it more and more difficult to control his emotions and eventually had to leave. He had a go at many different jobs, including a teacher and a bookseller, but nothing felt right.

When he wasn’t working, he wrote Theo long letters that included beautiful drawings. Theo loved his work and suggested that he try being an artist. Vincent dedicated himself to painting and never looked back! He developed his own style and expressed his emotions through his art: from sorrow to joy, and everything in between.

During his life, Vincent had little success, but today, his paintings are admired and celebrated in galleries across the world.

This powerful book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the artist's life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover and paperback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: You don't need to be told who van Gogh is. (I hope.) A kid who's got the world to learn does, and here's a way for you to help that happen. A series like this has so many good layers: facts about the world, facts about life as others lead it, examples of what we as a culture value.

The value here is obvious, I trust:

Gorgeous as artworks, pitch perfect as illustrations of van Gogh's life...which is ably recounted by Sánchez Vegara's simple but effective text...this small person's excellent introduction to the life of one of the present day's most venerated artists adds luster to a terrific series.

Worth reading yourself. An absolute must for your grand/nibling's education in art, biography, and the value of being Different in a conformist world.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


ROALD DAHL
MARIA ISABEL SÁNCHEZ VEGARA Little People,BIG DREAMS series; illus. Francis Martin)
Frances Lincoln Children's Books(non-affiliate Amazon link)
$15.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: Discover the life of Roald Dahl, the groundbreaking author whose work is beloved by children all over the world.

Little Roald grew up in the city of Cardiff in Wales. He loved to spend time reading with his family and visiting the local candy store for yummy chocolatey treats. But he found school difficult. No one believed in Roald’s potential.

When Roald finished school, he was ready to make his life an adventure! He traveled the world and saw some amazing sights. When World War II started, he was ready to serve his country and joined the air force. During his service, his plane crashed over a desert, leaving him blind for a period of time. Roald wrote about his experience of the crash, and enjoyed doing it so much that from then on, he knew he wanted to be an author.

Roald began crafting books for children, working away in the shed at the bottom of his garden. From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to James and the Giant Peach, his wonderful stories have captivated generations of readers. The magical worlds he created have been brought to the stage and screen, with hit musicals and films, like Matilda and The Witches.

The story also boldly addresses the antisemitic remarks that Roald Dahl made during his lifetime, highlighting the power and impact that our words can have: both to delight or cause lasting harm.

This thoughtful book features quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of Roald’s life. His story shows that extraordinary talent lies within each and every one of us.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: From the beginning, we're in possession of the facts of Dahl's troubling life. He was very much not a nice man, even by the lax standards of the day; he was hateful, and cruel to his wives, he wrote truly awful stereotypes into his books for children, and let's not discuss his adult fiction at all. Given the delight his children's books have brought on page and screen, it feels only right to introduce the children who will be in his audience to the real man.

To do it honestly and without tendentious vilification, and in conjunction with æsthetically pleasing artwork, shows me how much thought and effort Quarto's children's imprint has put into this series of essential cultural figures' biographies.

Such a great match between illustrations and subject! Tey look like they could be from Dahl's heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. They're fresh, original, and in great keeping with the ethos Dahl worked within.

Perfect for introducing those too young to get his work delivered directly to the ideas of it. Even better for those who have had some of his work read to them already to him as a person, as they can read it themselves. I remain troubled by Dahl and his unpleasant personality, and I'd recommend to you the giver of the book to check with the recipient's parents to be positive this body of work is acceptable for their child before committing even this minimal amount to procuring it.

Little People, BIG DREAMS: CHRIS HOY; STEVEN SPIELBERG

CHRIS HOY: Little People, BIG DREAMS series
MARIA ISABEL SÁNCHEZ VEGARA (Illus. Edita Hajdu)
Frances Lincoln Children's Books (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$15.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 3.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Discover the life of Sir Chris Hoy, the cycling champion who became an inspiration to millions.

Little Chris grew up in Scotland with a passion for bikes and adventure. He loved riding his BMX, dreaming of becoming a racing champion. But school wasn’t always easy—Chris had dyslexia, which made reading and writing a challenge. However, he never let it hold him back.

With determination and hard work, Chris became one of the greatest track cyclists of all time. He won six Olympic gold medals and became a sporting hero for Great Britain. After retiring from competitive cycling, he continued to inspire others, writing books for children and encouraging young athletes to follow their dreams.

In 2024, Chris shared his personal battle with cancer, showing the same courage and resilience that made him a champion. His story is one of perseverance, strength, and never giving up—on or off the track.

This inspiring book features lively illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of Chris’s incredible achievements. His story shows that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: In a slightly different timeline this'd be about Lance Armstrong. Not much would change apart from names and locations.

I've reviewed four of these to date. I like the overall messaging, focus plus drive can lead to success; I'm less excited about the athlete focused entries, but that's personal to me.

Sir Chris Hoy's name was unknown to me until Paul Hollywood mentioned him in season eleven of The Great British Bake Off, when eventual winner Peter Sawkins made a Chris Hoy cake-bust (that Hoy liked and complimented Peter on). I've desultorily poked about to see what is the what about him, and found him a strikingly decent human being.

So more than my usual slightly grudging three athlete-stars to this entry in a series I can see kids really liking...if it's a subject or a person they're already interested in.

Almost all the art for this publisher, Frances Lincoln Ltd. across all its publishing areas, is very high-quality to my eye. It's the case here, too:

To my eye, the spreads are all quite kinetic, quite full of vigor, as is appropriate for a biking world leader. I was not ever bored by this entry, unlike an earlier one on David Beckham. That half-star was as much as I could make my uneasy-about-athletics self do...too much permanent damage incurred while using one's body to entertain others.

YMMV, of course, and best to get kids things they're interested in and will enjoy while saving the adult worries for later.

I think....

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

STEVEN SPIELBERG: Little People, BIG DREAMS series
MARIA ISABEL SÁNCHEZ VEGARA (Illus. Keith Negley)
Frances Lincoln Children's Books (non-affiliate Bookshop.org link)
$15.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 4* of five

The Publisher Says: Director, writer, editor, producer . . . Steven Spielberg is the person behind some of the most celebrated films ever made. Little People, BIG DREAMS Steven Spielberg is an empowering testament to believing in yourself and following your childhood dream.

Little Steven was six when he first went to the cinema. Although he didn't understand the story, he was captivated by the beauty of the moving pictures on screen. Soon after, he picked up his Dad's film camera and began experimenting. By his teens he was making short films—carefully crafting every part of the process, from writing the scripts to directing the shots.

Filmmaking was a refuge for Steven, who faced bullying and anti-semitism at school. With his camera, editing machine and notebook he could create a world he felt safe in. As he grew, he found somewhere else he felt at home: Universal Studios. He first visited the company's lot during a studio tour, and was later hired after impressing executives with a short films. Within a few years, Steven went from making TV movies to cinematic blockbusters. Audiences fell in love with his heartwarming adventures, like ET and Jurassic Park, and were deeply moved by his film about the Holocaust, Schindler's List.

After a lifetime of accolades and awards, Steven remains happiest behind a camera--telling stories that encourage us to open our hearts and minds.

Little People, BIG DREAMS: Steven Spielberg features quirky and stylish illustrations; a biographical timeline, complete with historical photos and a detailed profile; recommendations for further reading.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Many of y'all literally grew up watching "old" films of Spielberg's, like Jaws, on your TVs after picking them up at Blockbuster...I saw it on the big screen, first run. I have still never gone back into the ocean. And I won't.

This is the power of the images Spielberg's created. A lifetime later, I still marvel at how his imagination has formed mine, and the generations after me; I'm sure all y'all have a Spielberg-film memory. So when I saw these:

...I was barely whelmed, not a bit overwhelmed, verging on underwhelmed, by their (to me) low charisma choices of subject. The execution is fine, as expected, but it never gets deeper than red-carpet photos do.

I'm criticizing this because the artist is making these to show a master of visual storytelling's life...this does not feel like the best possible execution of that brief.

It's nice art, the story's the story, and for your young auteur-to-be, it will make a lovely gift bundled with ET or Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I myownself get wistful dreaming of more....

DAVID BECKHAM, latest in Frances Lincoln Children's Books series Little People, BIG DREAMS

DAVID BECKHAM (Little People,BIG DREAMS series)
MARIA ISABEL SANCHEZ VEGARA (illus. Fernando Martín)
Frances Lincoln Children's Books (non-affiliate Amazon link)
$15.99 ebook edition, available now

Rating: 3* of five

The Publisher Says: From the bestselling biography series Little People, BIG DREAMS, discover the life of David Beckham, the legendary soccer player.

Learn about inspiring story of David Beckham! The much-loved British soccer player who grew up dreaming of scoring goals for his favorite team.

Little David always knew that he wanted to be a soccer player. Growing up, he and his family supported the British team Manchester United, and he dreamed of being part of their squad. He spent years playing for local clubs and joined Manchester United’s youth academy as a teen. After entering the first team under the leadership of Alex Ferguson, it soon became clear that David was a star on the field.

With Manchester United, he won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League all in one season, a pioneering feat! He went on to become captain of the England team and a hero to people across his country. Away from the pitch, David had fallen in love with Victoria, a successful singer. They got married and everyone became obsessed with their love story!

When he left Manchester United, David, Victoria and their children moved to Spain, and he played for Real Madrid as part of a superstar squad. Soccer continued to take him around the world—to LA in California, and back again to Europe. When it came to retire from playing, David couldn’t keep away from the beautiful game. He helped to start a new team, Inter Miami CF, in Florida, elevating the sport in the U.S.

A soccer legend who is loved by all, David’s achievements are the culmination of a lifetime of hard work and talent.

This powerful book features quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the soccer player's life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover and paperback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Triumph of the Will for soccer/football fans, just in time for Beckham's 50th birthday today. So heteronormative I could feel a wedding ring recrudescing onto my left ring finger.

As always I approve of the art's aesthetic...the subject, heroically celebrating Beckham's sports career, I deplore as a model to present to kids. Any kids.

Little guy starts focusing early!

Rewards reinforce self-belief.

Talent + training = success!

Trimuph to triumph!

See, kids? Be straight, love your family more than your job, you can be like Beckham! (Also Victoria was never, ever, ever that plumptious.)

So, no. This is not my kind of story to tell kids. Valorizing sports stars is, to my mind, a terrible idea. A lot of young boys are cuckoo for these prodigies, so would like this book.

Up to you if this is messaging you support.

ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY, role model for anti-fascism this #Booksgiving

ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRY
MARIA ISABEL SÁNCHEZ VEGARA (Little People, BIG DREAMS series; illus. Martin Le Lapin)
Frances Lincoln Children's Books
$15.99 hardcover, available now

Rating: 5* of five

The Publisher Says: In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the talented pilot and writer. Little Antoine grew up in Lyon, France. Ever since his first flight as a young boy, he dreamt of becoming a pilot. When he joined the French army during WWI, he finally got his chance. He spent a short time in the Air Force before leaving to become a mail pilot, all the while writing about his adventures.

However, in 1935, he crashed in the desert during a flight from Paris to Saigon. With little food and water to hand, he became very ill. Fortunately, after four days, he was found by a passerby and nursed back to health. This experience influenced much of Antoine's future writing. In WWII, he moved to the United States where he campaigned for France's freedom from Nazism. During this period, he wrote The Little Prince, a captivating story of love and loss, which went on to become one of the bestselling children's books of all time.

This powerful book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the writer’s life. Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Start 'em young. Dreams are formed in earlier life. We need kids to form dreams now more than ever, so make this a bookish Yule of stories that inspire #ReadingIsResistance in younger minds.

Give them the start they deserve. A true story abut a man who always found a way to make a positive difference won't hurt any kid to learn. And learn from.

The kids who get this start have a great shot at becoming people with empathy. The Little Prince will likely teach these young readers about love and loss and how to make sense of them.