Member Reviews

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books for this eCopy to review

We have read many of the Little People Big Dreams series and Vincent van Gogh is another great addition. His story is told in an easy to understand way, about how it took him a while to find his purpose but once he did nothing held him back and he became one of our greatest artists despite not being appreciated whilst he was alive. This is a great message about not giving up and following your dream no matter what.

This would be great to study under art, regulating emotions as Vincent struggled with this, or even sibling relationships as Vincent received a lot of help and support from his brother Theo

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Little People, Big Dreams is one of my favourite series of books and I was so pleased to come across this title featuring Vincent van Gogh! Like the other books in this series, this title tells an inspirational biography. Starting from when Vincent was a child, we learn about the challenges Vincent faced whilst growing up and his burgeoning artistic abilities. Though Vincent never enjoyed much commercial success during his life, his paintings are now considered among the foremost expressions of human artistic ability. Young readers will appreciate the story of Vincent's life, how he came to embrace his passion for art, and the legacy he left on the world. Of course, real life is more complicated than the book presents and some of the darker parts of Vincent's life aren't included, but this is understandable. Nuance and complexity are reserved for other titles; this one rather focuses on following one's dreams and overcoming challenges -- things we can encourage all young people to do!

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for a complimentary eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

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A lovely addition to the series and a good appreciation of Van Gogh. Colourful and easy for children to read. Thanks to Netgalley.

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I absolutely love this series! The biographies are always entertaining, educational and comprehensible for young readers and this book is no different. The illustrations are gorgeous and my children and I loved learning more about one of the greatest and most well known artists of all time. I highly recommend this one!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Quarto Publishing for access to the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley @mariaisabelsanchezvegara @quarter_castle_publishing for the advance copy of Little People, Big Dreams Vincent van Gough. 👨‍🎨🖌️🎨

This morning the kids and I absolutely loved reading this book together while they water color painted a picture. It was such a beautifully done book. The illustrations were gorgeous, and the story was so well done. The kids were very entertained, and loved learning about him. Highly suggest. A fun one for elementary art! #campnetgalley #netgalley #littlepeoplebigdreams

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Vincent van Gogh by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara are the most wonderful books written by Little People, BIG DREAMS, and these are one of the best books you can purchase for a growing child. I have enjoyed reading these to my nephew and talking about the famous people, from designers and artists, kings and queens, to scientists and activists and then talking about the brightly illustrated pages with him.

This book is about the life of Vincent van Gogh. 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 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 Vincent Van Gogh's life.

I, I should say we loved this book. All of these books have been a 5 star read. this book was no different

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My son and I recently built a Van Gogh inspired Lego. I was excited to find a book to teach my son more about Van Gogh, who he was and what happened to him during his life. It was a great opportunity to talk with my young son about overcoming different challenges in life. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging.

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Very inspiring biography for childrens to find their own way to be creative and to work on their talents. This book shows the importance of siblings support in the way that Theo helps Vincent van Gogh through the lifetime. Despite mental issues Van Gogh is one of the most important painter ever!
Thank you to NetGalley, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Alette Straathof - Ilustrator, and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books/Frances Lincoln Children's Books for this opportunity!

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VINCENT VAN GOGH (LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG DREAMS)
MARIA ISABEL SANCHEZ VEGARA

These Little People, BIG DREAMS series range in types making them versatile and enjoyable for younger readers to learn about a vast amount of people celebrated for their innovation of contributing to society in history. I particularly enjoy them even though I'm an adult, because of how excellent the illustrations are juxtaposed against key points of the particular person whose life they are exploring. There are board books offered with simple sentences suitable for babies and toddlers. For children that are older these compact biographies are expanded including additional text that's suitable to digest with more key points about the person whose life is being explored. I wish that I had room to collect all of the physical copies for future grandchildren. There are so many that are in print and they all offer endless possibilities and choices to pick out and read with children.

Vincent was a quiet child and loved playing in nature with his brother Theo.

After he left school his brother Theo encouraged him to try to create the art on the canvas that he was known to produce for his brother. He worked in the art world before he started painting his emotions that are famous and coveted all over the world in galleries.

Once he started painting it was a perfect outlet for him and he never looked back.

Vincent van Gogh's life is explored in this one and although his paintings are widely known and celebrated by art lovers, he didn't gain the same recognition during his life. That fact is sad because his art is so cheerful, using vivid colors that make his paintings iconic. He actually tried working at many different jobs during his lifetime.

He had a close relationship with his brother Theo during their lifetime and whenever Vincent wrote to his brother he would include artwork on the back of his letters. This is beautiful and perfect for all ages even adults. These books in these series make great gifts from babies to adults. They offer a way to celebrate the many gifted people who contributed over time.

Publication Date: September 3, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Quaro Publishing Group-Frances Lincoln Children's Books for generously providing me with my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#VincentvanGogh #MariaIsabelSanchezVegara #QuartoPublishingGroupFrancesLincolnChildrensBooks #NetGalley

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I have no clear like or dislike for biographies, I only read about people that I love and inspire me. When I saw a picture book about one of my favourite artists - Vincent Van Gogh, was hitting the press, I knew I must read it and share his life story with my boys!

Now, I am on the fence with this book, it is a very short take on life so vast, so challenging, so deep and so intriguing. I know this is a child “safe” edition, but I would have personally loved to see more discussion regarding Van Gogh’s mental health, as picture books nowadays do tend to discuss this extremely important matter, as they should, and not shy away from it even if it is for kids.

I did like the illustrations and would have loved to see more of his art, I feel that this book is important to have as I want my boys to be exposed to his life and work, but - I will need to look into buying more books about him to supplement some of the missing yet crucial information.

I think his life is so complex and difficult, that it must have not fitted in inside this picture book, which is understandable.

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Little People, Big Dreams provides another biography for young readers, this time on Vincent van Gogh. This book is written in simplistic language, great for readers of any age. It contains the main points of Vincent's life, without going into too much detail for young readers. This must be added to my classroom library for students to read and utilize during our nonfiction reading unit. Great for special education students to support their learning.

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I'm a huge fan of the Little People, Big Dreams books and this was no exception, it might even be one of my favourite just because of the illustrations! They are in the Van Gogh style and are so beautiful. I've been fortunate enough to visit the Vincent van Gogh museum in Amsterdam and had the opportunity to see his work in person and this book does a great job of capturing that.

I was also happy to find out a new fact about him from this book! I didn't realize it was his brother who inspired him to paint.

Another fantastic book by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and a great addition to any kids library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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‘Vincent van Gogh’ by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is an engaging and beautifully illustrated biography aimed at young readers, providing a glimpse into the life and art of the renowned painter.

Plot: ★★★★☆

Vincent van Gogh is an immensely fascinating individual, and it's always wonderful to find a new read about him. The plot effectively covers the major milestones of van Gogh's life and career, offering a concise yet comprehensive overview of his journey as an artist.

Character: ★★★★☆

The portrayal of van Gogh feels accurate and relatable, capturing his passion, struggles, and unique vision. It offers a balanced view of his character, highlighting both his genius and his personal challenges.

Illustrations: ★★★★☆

The illustrations are fabulous, really capturing the essence of van Gogh and his life. They complement the text well and provide a visual representation that young readers will find appealing and engaging.

Engagement: ★★★★☆

The book is very engaging, with a narrative style that keeps readers interested in van Gogh's story. The combination of intriguing facts and beautiful illustrations makes it a captivating read for both children and adults.

Readability: ★★★★☆

The readability is excellent, with clear and simple language that is easy for young readers to understand. The text is well-organized and flows smoothly, making it accessible without oversimplifying van Gogh's complex life.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆

The book is very enjoyable, providing both an educational and entertaining experience. Readers will appreciate learning about van Gogh's life and art, and the engaging presentation makes it a delightful read.


‘Vincent van Gogh’ by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a well-crafted and engaging biography that brings the story of the famous artist to life. With its accurate portrayal, stunning illustrations, and accessible language, it is a wonderful addition to any young reader's library, offering an inspiring look at the life and work of one of history's most beloved painters.

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Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's great and inspiring series of children's books is making waves around the world. I had seen them many times but never read one. That changed when the Vincent van Gogh book caught my eye – I knew it was time to start the series! 😊

This delightful 32-page book brings readers the life of one of the world's most famous painters. It starts with his childhood and school days, touches on the hardships he faced, and concludes with his tragic end. Naturally, the book doesn’t delve into every detail or linger on van Gogh's lowest points, as it is intended for young, curious readers to inspire and motivate them. Even though I'm not so tiny anymore, I found myself inspired.

In addition to its well-written and concise content, the book features beautiful watercolor illustrations that are uniquely suited to the story. You can’t imagine this book with any other style. The pictures are extremely colorful and cheerful, often capturing more attention than the accompanying text. They are excellently painted and perfectly chosen! I highly recommend this book for little ones who love reading or art! 😊

Thank you so much, NetGallery and Frances Lincoln Children's Books, for this wonderful reading experience and for the ARC copy!

Review in Estonian (Aug 26, 2024): https://brixieblog.wordpress.com/2024/08/26/vincent-van-gogh-maria-isabel-sanchez-vegara/

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It's not secret if you've read any of my reviews that I love this series. I was so excited to see Vincent van Gogh's name on the list of upcoming releases! Couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Here are my thoughts...

The watercolor illustration is absolutely stunning and really does van Gogh right. I was interested to see how the book would approach van Gogh's mental illness and perhaps even his physical ailments and diseases, and in my opinion for the age group they've done a great job of nailing the hight points and leaving the rest for a more mature mind. I'm glad they highlighted his relationship with Theo as it was so important to the success (albeit it little during his life) of van Gogh.

5/5 from me. Would recommend to any growing mind!

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This is such a lovely introduction to Van Gogh. The beautiful illustrations really immerse you in his style, and I think the facts are simplified very well for children. It sticks to the very basic points of his story, celebrating his talent and his love for his brother without shying away from how troubled his life could be.

I haven't checked out any of the other books in this series, but after reading this one I'm excited to!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.)

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Short and sweet, I feel like this barely scratched the surface of Vincent's life - which is expected when it's aimed at kids - however it didn't read like it was aimed at kids. I'm really torn on it as I just feel it was lacking.. something.. but I wouldn't suggest anyone avoid it or say it wasn't worth reading.

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A gorgeously illustrated book briefly explaining the life of Vincent Van Gogh. Perfect for children as glosses over the darker parts of his life and focuses on his ambitions and successes. Highly recommend for a family.

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I love the Little People, Big Dreams series of books. In this one - the focus on Vincent van Gogh tells a story that is both insightful and inspiring. Even with the text and story being geared for a younger generation, I learned a couple things about van Gogh's history that I hadn't known before. It felt like the key defining moments of his life were succinctly portrayed and laid out in a timeline that makes sense and gets the core points of the story across.

The end of the book really resonated - "he proved that - even when we feel a bit lost - we can find joy by doing the things we love most" and the way that sentiment is echoed in the timeline at the end - "...when we find something we love, we should follow it with all our heart." These are key principles for kids to learn - and seeing that demonstrated in the story of a famous artists life will resonate. Also, the way that mental health was addressed makes a lot of sense and lays the groundwork for awareness.

The illustrations are stunning and support the text/story on each page. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review.

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Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is the first Little People, Big Dreams but I absolutely love van Gogh so I couldn’t resist picking this on up. It sncompasses the key points in his life from being a child to late in his life. I like the art timeline at the beginning and that the illustrations have thick strokes like he was known for. I personally loved the presence of the A Starry Night images used twice (since it’s my personal favourite and the sunflowers throughout as its what he’s most well known for is a great touch.

Favourite Quote:
"And though it took time for the world to recognize his talent, little Vincent continued to express his feelings with every single brushstroke. He proved that even when we feel a bit lost-we can find ioy by doing the things We love most."

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