I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
As usual, Sanchez Vegara pulls readers into the life of each Little Person, Big Dreams figure she writes about. In this book, readers see Michael Jordan first show determination and grit as a child and carry that through his basketball career and on into his business ventures after he retired from the NBA. The illustrations support the text and help readers visualize what Jordan was like at each stage of his life included in the narrative. A timeline is included at the end with further informative text.

Love this series! Michael Jordan was THE household sports name when I was growing up. And even though I was never big into sports, I still grew up with the film Space Jam which I did like. It was fun reading more about his life. I enjoy the little people, big dreams books!

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

We love these books in our house. They are a great way to introduce your little ones to important and/or famous people without being too big or in depth (I.e. anything scandalous)

I grew up watching Michael Jordan play so I was excited to share this one with my son. Lots of information and cute illustrations.

3.5★
“Hoping they would not just be fierce competitors but good teammates, his parents encouraged their kids to play all kinds of sports. And Michael learned that talent may win a game, but only teamwork can win a championship.”

My son and I, and now his boy, are huge Michael Jordan fans. As Aussies, we were proud to have Aussie Luc Longley playing with the Chicago Bulls, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Michael was the fourth of five children in his family, and his goal in life was to be the best, but at least beat his older brother Larry. Sadly, like many kids, he had the stuffing knocked out of him at school in North Carolina.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
“One day, Michael came home from school crying.
He hadn’t been selected for the basketball team because he was too short! His mother wiped his tears and told him what she used to say to all her kids: ‘Go out and earn it.’”

He took it to heart and practised all summer, made the team, and became the star! He could shoot, jump, steal, and defend. He won a college scholarship to the University of North Carolina.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
Michael, hanging high in the air, about to slam dunk, with his tongue sticking out, as it often did in games!

As a professional player, he led the Chicago Bulls to an NBA championship-winning streak of three in a row. The book doesn’t mention Three-peat, so I will. 😊 It was a big deal! He was the star, but it was the team that he inspired that did it.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
When his father died, it moved him to change course and set aside basketball.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
“He sought comfort playing baseball, his dad’s favorite sport.”

After a year of baseball, he returned to the Bulls and a fourth championship. Then they did a second Three-peat (also not mentioned as such). Six championships!

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
“One day, his coach Phil announced that it was his last season with the team. Michael and his teammates wanted to make sure it ended right! And after winning his sixth title, it was time for His Airness to hang up his sneakers, too.”

By the way, Nike made a bundle out of his line of basketball shoes, and they are now collectibles. I was surprised not to see the iconic Jumpman logo shown. Even kids today know what it is and who he is.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
Jumpman logo

In retirement, Michael Jordan is as busy as ever.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
Michael with kids and in his office. Note the picture on the wall of him receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.

He is still an imposing presence when he appears, and his name ensures that people will follow a cause he supports. The short ‘real’ biography at the end, with four photographs, fills in some of the gaps for older readers who are sharing the book with children. These books can inspire kids to dream big!

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned:
Michael Jordan has become “an inspiration for others to choose their dream… and make it happen!”

I do have a complaint. I would have liked a lighter touch with the illustrations. Lo Harris is obviously talented and has an individual style (you can easily find her website). My objection is that the only recognisable person to me is coach Phil Jackson, and that’s probably because of the glasses and moustache. Michael and the other players look chunky and heavy instead of athletic, and in Michael’s case, graceful.

When I saw the picture on the wall behind Michael’s desk, I was wondering what George W. Bush was doing, putting a medal on him! Barack Obama is another very distinctive man, easy to identify from a silhouette. For example:
My Goodreads review includes side-by-side silhouettes from the back of Obama and MJ.

Still, it’s a story worth telling, and I’m delighted to see MJ, His Airness, flying high in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the copy for review.

Another wonderful book by this author. I loved how well the book explained Michael Jordan’s life. I will be adding this to my classroom library.

The first thing I absolutely loved about this books is how vibrant and fun the illustrations are, every page is packed with images adding to the story line and illustrating the life of Michael Jordan in a way that children can clearly see and understand.

This book has a wonderful focus on team work and how Michael achieved what he has as part of a team, a great lesson for children and adults alike and could be a brilliant case study for team building in or out of the classroom.

I do find the little people dream big books a great classroom resource, they always have fabulous representation and underpinning core values that make excellent discussion. This book also highlights the grief and loss experienced by Michael and does not shy away from the fact that he was extremely sad and how this effected his life.

Another excellent edition from a fantastic series!

Children who pick up this book may already have heard the name Michael Jordan but, even if that is true, they will learn a lot about him in this new entry in a favorite series. They will discover that young Michael did not make a team (once) when he was young and that his mother encouraged him to work for and earn his place. (He did) They will find out that not only was he a spectacular player but that he also valued being a teammate. Kids will also witness his genuine grief at his father’s death and his successes off the court.

A terrific entry in a good series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Interesting introduction to the basketball legend that is Michael Jordan. A good book about working hard, practicing your craft, perseverance and working as a team to achieve your dreams and a great inspiration for little ones.

Another real good addition to the 'Little People, BIG DREAMS' series of children's books for, probably 4-7 y/o's? This short, colorful picture type book gives a quick, kid level 'over view/recap' of famous basketball player Michael Jordan. Adults reading this to the little's will probably remember some of these points of his life portrayed.... & sharing this book with a youngster might inspire some conversation! The author & publisher have a great thing going with this series. I'd definitely share this with my niece's & nephews!
I received an e-ARC from Quarto Publishing Group-Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another wonderful installment of the Little People Big Dreams Books. This is the inspiring story of Michael Jordan, his early life and basketball career. It's very approachable for little ones and has great advice for following dreams and passions.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

The best thing about the Little People Big Dreams series is it highlights extraordinary men and women who faced challenges, and through hard work, determination, and perseverance were able to achieve their goals.

Michael Jordan is perhaps the most popular basketball player in American history. He was a fantastic choice for the author to highlight in her series. I felt her decision to include Michael not making his first basketball team was important because it shows young readers the importance of not giving up.

Michael Jordan has accomplished so much in his career, that it would be impossible to include everything in a children's book. I was hoping to read about him starring in the movie Space Jam, which was a favorite of mine as a child.

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The ‘My First Little People, Big Dreams’ series provides informative and inspirational biographies about people who left a mark on this earth, no matter what difficulties they have encountered.
These stories are very short, but that’s because they’re books for children, so it’s totally understandable.
I think they are a very smart and wonderful way to introduce little children to such important figures.
This one is about Michael Jordan, considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He's such an inspirational figure and it's nice that young children are able to find out about his life and achievements.

A fun sports biography. And I love this series for the little ones. I think this one in particular will do well for anyone that wants to be “like Mike”

This book was all that you could wish for, perfect length for bedtime or to just have read aloud time. It explains Michael Jordan's story in a brief and succinct manner that allows children to get valuable lessons even in their young age, because it's never to early to learn values and how to persevere. Great illustrations, and again the story was perfect and covers Michael Jordan's life and the moments that really mark his story.

I love most sports and for me Michael Jordan is a legend of basketball and worthy of his place in the Hall of Fame.

I love this series of books and so wanted to see how young Michael was viewed growing up and what pushed him on to be the best he could be in his sport and in life.

As usual the talented author has managed to find the crucial moments that propelled this young guy to the very top of his profession. Taking a simple colour palette the individual drawings enrich the carefully chosen words.

Also there is also a ‘grown up’ potted biography with real pictures to reinforce this is more than a story.

These books enthuse our children; show how with nurturing, support and encouragement we can inspire kids and humble beginnings does not exclude talent or success.

There is often a surprise for me within these stories. Michael’s parents here interest me, not just in their comforting words and mantra “Go out and earn it” but to learn that Michael’s father’s favourite sport was baseball.

Those of us entrusted to care for young lives need to see we are helping them fulfil their dreams and not our own ideas and values.

What a legend Michael Jordan is .This cute little book does justice to that inspiring icon .
Good ,colorful illustrations. A must have book like all the others

hMichael Jordan is the newest lead in this latest edition of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. This series is such a delight and the perfect way to educate not just kids but everyone about historic and cultural icons.

Michael Jordan is an American former professional basketball player and businessman. The book follows Jordan as he was raised in North Carolina to getting a gold medal at the Olympics and winning the championship three times in a row with the Bulls.

Lo Harris illustrates this installment and does a fantastic job. Harris' art style was so captivating and her art definitely further helped tell Jordan's story. I love collecting these books and am so thrilled to add this one to the rest of my collection.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

These books are always great! The illustrations are amazing, the story is short and to the point, giving just enough information for a young reader. There is always a short bio and timeline at the end for an adult. These books can be used in multiple ways in a classroom or at home! My one criticism is using the word “Little”, I know that might be “the point”, but it just rubs me the wrong way. I wish they’d replace it with the word young.

A quick speed through the life of one of those GOAT characters, to use the modern lingo. Excessively cartoonish art portrays the story alongside simple layouts of one or two sentences per page, and it's all full of inspiration and optimism. I hardly have more to say – this is one of those reviewer-proof volumes, for any school library in possession of the other fifty titles in this series will buy this one, and likewise any educator in need of a book about the man will have no problems here.

Another wonderful book in this series! An inspirational brief biography about all-time great, Michael Jordan. I enjoyed learning about his persistence and impact on basketball. Perfect for children of all ages.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.