Member Reviews
This is a fun children's book discussing the story of the superstar gymnast, Simone Biles. The illustrations are very cute and eye-catching. I think children will absolutely enjoy this book and learn quite a bit about her life, especially about the hard work that led to her success. This is part of a series of biographies, Little People, Big Dreams written by this author that are well researched and engaging. I look forward to new additions to the series and so far I haven't been disappointed by any of these.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
It'd be hard to find anyone who'd argue that Simone Biles isn't gymnastics' G.O.A.T., so it was a delight to be able to read this short but informative bio on her. While the details of her life are relatively well known nowadays, I liked how they were presented. No drama, no fuss. We go from her early days of being raised by her grandparents and discovering her innate ability in gymnastics after a random trip to a gym offering lessons. She mimicked those working on routines and thanks to a sharp eyed instructor/coach, was enrolled. An active child with ADHD, this was the perfect outlet for her energy and talents.
This review is about the book, however, so a quick look at what your "LittlePeople, BIG DREAMS" reader will find within. I've grown to admire this series. Not only is the writing succinct and thoughtful, but the illustrations are well-done. I particularly liked the one showing a sort of stop-action look at the various, in the air, body positions of one of her signature moves. Nicely done. The no fuss, no ado over events mode of writing covers her equilibrium issues during the Olympics that forced her to miss most of her events, albeit the book makes a point of showing the support she got from her teammates. It also touches on another serious matter, noting the teamwork and courage of the young women who stood up against adults who'd let them down. Fans surely know what that was about, so perhaps adults should be prepared to answer any questions young readers might have.
Bottom line, her life and life events are handled in a respectful way, all designed for young readers. It mentions her comeback and marriage, I might note, while largely focusing on her childhood dream and ultimate success. I admire her greatly and this book is a worthy addition to the kudos and writings about her. Highly recommended, particularly if you have an energetic young one doing flips off the couch. Grin. Thanks #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGroup - #FrancesLincolnChildren'sBooks for sharing this early look at the life of a remarkable young woman. Her dreams have surely inspired many we'll be watching tumble, whirl through the air, and perform moves most of us can't even imagine doing in future years.
Who else is ready for the Olympics this summer!? I’ve read a few books from this series now, and this book tackles more serious and tricky subjects than any of the others, but does so in a way that’s digestible for little kids. It’s an interesting balance to keep in a book like this, but this is a good read for aspiring little gymnasts--and an eye-catching way to learn about the greatest gymnast of all time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
As Einstein is credited with saying, "if you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself." This book is a wonderful introduction to Simone Biles for young children. It tactfully addresses the US Gymnastics sexual abuse scandal and normalizes taking a mental health break when it's needed.
I found it very hard to rate children's books so everything is a 5 star read for me!!
I really loved this book, the illustrations are so beautiful and captivating that I found myself smiling through every page I read.
Love how the book show us the story of Simone Biles, this book collection is amazing! Can't wait to read the all!!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange of my honest opinion.
I love Simone Biles and I am so happy she got her own Little People Big Dreams book!
It is so important to talk about mental health and how sometimes saying no is essential.
I loved the art and illustrations, they are very cute!
This book is amazing and everyone should read it!
In the mornings we do our reading, and this girl was SO excited mom got the new Taylor Swift book coming out in June! And the Simone Biles book was really fun to read since her niece did gymnastics. We adore the books Little People Big Dreams, so these were so fun to read advance copies. Their stories are always so encouraging and empowering. Add them to your lists for summer reading program! Kinley loved how both girls had big dreams, and had to push through hard times to make them come true. It was a fun morning reading together! Thank you @netgalley @mariaisabelsanchezvegara @taylorswift @simonebiles for the advance copies of these books! #tyalorswift #simonebiles #littlepeoplebigdreams #mariaisabelsanchezvegara #quartopublishing
I love the Little People, Big Dreams series so much. All of the ones I've read break down incredible stories into such an accessible format and leave you feeling like you know so much more about the person.
The illustrations to this one were gorgeous.
I love this series of books so much as I think they are beautifully illustrated and are a wonderful way to educate and inspire children. It’s so lovely to see more contemporary figures beginning to get their own books and this does a great job of opening doors for discussion around difficult topics, including mental health, neurodivergence and abuse of power, in a sensitive and child friendly way as well as promoting friendships, teamwork, resilience and encouraging young people to follow their dreams!
Amazingly inspirational book for children. These books never fail to teach me about famous people but also encourage us to see another side to them. I loved it and can't wait for the next one.
The Little People, Big Dreams series is one of my favourites. I love that there are more current women being featured, as in my opinion they're a little more relatable to our own little people. I loved the Taylor Swift edition of this book and pre-ordered it immediately, and while I likely won't pre-order this one, I'll definitely add it to my purchase list for my girls. Beautifully illustrated, Simone Biles' story is made age appropriate while not taking away from her accomplishments. I especially liked that her break from competition was mentioned, with the importance of honouring your body stressed. 10's across the board for this one!
This is the second LPBD book that I’ve read and reviewed with NetGalley, and I loved it! I really enjoy how the book gave enough information to make it educational but not too much that it was overwhelming to the reader. I think that this is a really great book for people of all ages who are looking for a cute way to learn more about Simone Biles.
This was an inspiring tale that celebrates resilience, determination, and standing up for oneself. Through the captivating story of gymnast Simone Biles, children learn valuable lessons about overcoming adversity and giving their all. Biles serves as a wonderful role model, showcasing the power of belief and perseverance. This book is not only enjoyable but also educational, making it a must-read for young minds eager to be inspired. 📚🤸🏽♀️💜 #SimoneBiles #NetGalley
Will be recommending this to educators I work with! Similar to a Golden Book, this gives a lovely little synopsis on Simone Biles, her life, her work, her accomplishments, and her mindset! Very inspiring to littles for sure.
Simone Biles is the GOAT and definitely deserves all of the recognition (and more) that she receives in this book. I really enjoyed the overview of Simone's accomplishments and the emphasis on all of the work that she put in to get where she is - as well as the importance of mental health (especially for high profile athletes with lots of pressure on them to perform). I also thought that the way that the sexual assault cases were handled in the context of her story was age appropriate and made the point while not going into too much detail.
I'm glad that Simone is getting a book in the Little People, Big Dreams series - she's such a great example (and has been) and will continue to be for future generations of gymnasts and girls in sports. Her story is important and demonstrates characteristics that are critical to reinforce with kids as they consider role models and good traits to highlight in their own lives. The illustrations are very well done - colorful and vibrant - and really support and enhance the story that is being told on each page. Another great addition to this collection!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book for me to read and review.
I really enjoyed this. Simone Biles is extremely inspiring for more than just her Olympic success, which was all mentioned in the book. I think it is important for young women to know about all she has done, and her strength to speak up for and advocate for herself. I think this was written well for kids to understand, and as they get older they can look more into the details of things.
"Simone Biles: Little People, Big Dreams" is a captivating tribute to an extraordinary athlete. The book is adorned with beautiful illustrations that vividly capture the essence of Simone Biles' journey. It tells the story of a determined and hard-working female individual who has fearlessly conquered her dreams against all odds. Simone's resilience and passion are truly inspiring, making her a role model for many, young and old alike. This book beautifully celebrates her achievements and serves as a reminder that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible. A wonderful read that leaves you feeling motivated and inspired!
I love this series - I say it time and time again - it's such a special lot of books.
I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of the Simone Biles book as I've followed her career through the years - and I did wonder if any of her campaigning on the gymnastic abuse would be mentioned (as it is targeted for children after all!)
I have to commend the Little People, Big Dreams team for dealing with such a delicate situation and not shying away from it - but including it within the book. It was expertly handled and think it would be a good talking point/starting point for young people.
The only downside for me - is the illustrations. I usually love the illustrations - but felt like it really did not look like Simone Biles at all! Would have preferred something that resembled her a bit more!
But overall this is one of the better books in the series - everyone should know Simone Biles!
Simone Biles featured in a concise, child-friendly biography within the Little People, Big Dreams collection. I'm fond of this series and enjoy sharing it with my grandchildren. However, I found this particular installment somewhat brief, glossing over certain aspects. It illuminated her upbringing by her adoptive grandparents who relocated her from Ohio to Texas. The anecdote detailing her introduction to gymnastics, plucked from a class field trip due to her mimicking the gymnasts, was endearing. Despite her dedication and passion for the sport, the pressure imposed by both team coaches and public scrutiny became overwhelming. Despite numerous victories and accolades, she experienced a sense of disconnection. Following the Tokyo Olympics, she took a hiatus of two years to prioritize her mental well-being. Alongside her teammates, she raised concerns about coaching practices. Not only is Simone renowned as one of the most accomplished gymnasts, but she's also a vocal advocate for mental health and a role model for young girls. I would have appreciated a deeper exploration of her mentoring and advocacy efforts, as I felt they were somewhat overlooked. Nadia Fisher's illustrations are splendid, effectively capturing emotions and movement, enhancing the book significantly. Overall, it's another commendable addition to this series.
I love this series of books but Simone Biles' story was particularly inspiring. It is well illustrated and the story is clear and easy to follow. A really great book.
Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.