Another incredible addition to our family’s ever growing collection of Little People Bug Dreams. I didn’t know much about artist Yayoi Kusama, so this particular book was a true treat for me as I read with my kids. Yayoi had a wonderful vision of people that inspired her lifelong artistry of dots at such a young age, that it really resonated with my 8 year old; she too could find her calling in life right now. More importantly than that, Yayoi’s story was a true testament to the positive impacts that being open about ones’ mental health can have, and destigmatizing mental health and seeking care! As someone who has struggled in that arena, it was a wonderful addition to the story that gave me a moment to chat with my kids about their mental health too. Overall, this story and its quirky illustrations did an excellent job of capturing the life of artist Yayoi Kusama. I can’t wait to buy the final copy for our own collection.

Thank you to the author, the Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I had several familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This is another one of the "Little People, Big Dreams" series and one that picks a subject that is probably not as well-known. Recounting the story of Yayoi Kusama, who had to overcome many struggles - her parents disapproved of her creating art as a child, and she had mental health challenges. At a young age, she experienced an intense vision that greatly influenced her art, and has mesmerized audiences to the present day with her immersive and fascinating art. Kusama is an icon of modern art, and I love that this book offers children an opportunity to get to know her.

I've long been fascinated by the art of Yayoi Kusama. I had no idea she had such an unhappy upbringing which is talked about in this story. This book is visually colourful as you would expect with it being about Kusama. It also does not shy away from her upbringing and mental health challenges but tells her story in such a way that it's suitable for older primary school age children and adults. It is an inspiring story and as my youngest daughter (9) has been learning about Kusama at school, this book is the perfect companion.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.

Thank to for not skipping the mental illness part of her journey. I think the more exposure children get, the empathy they will have for others. They may also see themselves in Yayoi and feel less different. I really love this series of books.

I learned a lot about Yayoi Kusama. I did not know who she was in all honesty, but I can see her direct influence in art today! A very interesting story about her life, and a very good read overall.

With thanks to the author, publishers Quarto Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My 10-year old daughter really enjoys reading books in this series with me, and this latest installment is a lovely addition to the wonderful Little People BIG DREAMS series. It serves as a fine introduction to an artist I had never heard of before, and whose story is part tragic and part inspirational.

The polka-dot inspired artwork used throughout the book beautifully captures the essence of the artist’s real-life work. While that art is rightly centre-stage, I also liked that the book doesn’t shy away from references to some more serious topics that younger readers might no be familiar with, such as problems in the family or mental health issues, but rather covers them in a sensitive way.

WoW! Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara books must be one of the best little books to purchase for children, these are the best-selling series of books and educational games that explore 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. Her latest book is about Yayoi Kusama by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, The groundbreaking contemporary artist who covered the world in dots.

Little Yayoi grew up in Japan and loved creating art. Although her parents didn't approve of her pastime, Yayoi continued to express herself through painting and drawing. One day, at around ten years old, she had an intense vision. All of a sudden, she felt as though she was in a field of talking flowers, their heads looked like little dots going on forever and ever, and she was becoming part of them . . . This vision influenced Yayoi's art for decades to come. From drawings and paintings to sculptures and installations, she mesmerized audiences with her dot-covered creations, using her work to show others how she experienced the world.

Yayoi has been open about her mental health challenges and has helped break down inaccurate views on mental illness. In her forties, she took the decision to move into a psychiatric hospital and, from a studio nearby, she continues working—surprising and delighting audiences with each new collaboration and exhibition.

An icon who changed the world of art, Kusama's story encourages us to follow our dreams and embrace our uniqueness.

This book is beautifully illustrated and sweet that any small child will just adore.

These books are great and I love reading these to my nephew O.

My four-year-old and ten-year-old absolutely love this series and get very excited when I tell them there's a new book for us to read!

We didn't know anything about Yayoi Kusama prior to reading this, so this was a perfect introduction to the life andwork of this Japanese artist. All the infrmation is presented in a way that is accessible to children, so although heavy themes such as mental health are mentioned, they are well handled. This book has the same colourful illustrations for which the series is known, this time using the artist's works as inspiration.

A recommended read for fans of modern art and fun educational reads for children.

Thank you to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing group for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A brilliant addition to this series of biographies for very young readers. It introduces us to an amazing artist that I had not heard of until about 4 years ago, (definitely my loss). Her work is so original, but will enthuse young children to try and create their own versions of her art.

I really like this series of books and this one is no different! I read this a few weeks ago and thought it did a really good job at keeping the life story of Kusama clear, not too intense while also keeping the true story there! Love the illustrations as always!

Inspirational tale,about how something as tiny as a dot, something so easily overlooked can actually go on to become one of the mainstays of modern art. Kusama’s story is heartbreaking but also serves within its pain and rejection the temerity to believe in one’s art is so important to one’s growth and recognition.

No one understood the little girl's need to paint dots everywhere, but she knew that everything is connected in an unending universe, and we are all one with the world. Just as her paintings came to be everywhere.
The illustrations by Ryoko Ichikawa are simple, colorful, and expressive.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group/Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley. Avail Feb 04, 2025 #Yayoi Kusamas #LittlePeopleBIGDREAMS by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara #ricoliro #Biography
#quartokids #flcbooks #LittlePeopleBIG DREAMS #mariaisabelsanchezvegara #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble #waterstones ***** #Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #childrensbookcouncil #ChildrensNonfiction #japanese #artist #depression #MentalIllness #polkaDots #WorldwideExhibitions #InfinityRooms

I adore the ever growing Little People, Big Dreams series.

Yayoi Kusama is an amazing Japanese artist who transends cultures and languages with her rich, vivid creative works. As always with this series the language is simple yet still tells the readers the important information about the person's life. The illustrations work seamlessy with the words to tell the story which will help readers of all abilities.

I have never heard about the artist Yayoi Kusama before, but I was very keen to learn about her life and work. In true 'Little People, BIG DREAMS' style the book is beautifully illustrated and gives a great overview of Yayoi Kusama's struggles and achievements. However I felt that it lacked a more concise timeline. It is still a great and inspiring gift for an art loving kid.

I love seeing a Little People, Big Dreams new release! I knew nothing about Yayoi Kusama before reading this book and, as is usual with books in this series, I left with an concise overview of her life. It did not shy away from mentioning her mental health journey which is great for representation and normalization. This book would be useful to schools who do art masterpiece and need a brief bio of the artist. The illustrations are cute, as always, and the page count is perfect for young readers.

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

Review to come at the end of January to my blog/other places.

I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

I was very excited about this one as I just adore Yayoi Kusama's works and I love reading about her. So I was curious about this newest addition to the Little People Big Dreams series.

And while I loved a lot of it, we learn all about Yayoi Kusama's youth, how she tried to make her dreams come true, and how she went to New York and then back home to Japan again, how she got success, and more. It was all interesting, though I knew all about it, but I felt like it glossed over her mental health problems A LOT, there were some mentions, but they made it seem like it was all nothing. I get that this is a book for children, but there is no need to gloss over it. It is a big part of Yayoi Kusama's life. So I would have liked just a bit on that.

Plus, for some reason this one also felt shorter and the sentences a bit strange/wonky. Quite often it all clicked, but here it felt like something was lost in translation, which is weird as these books are English from the start.

I did like seeing Yayoi Kusama grow up, I did love the art and love that it is done by someone from Japan (bonus points for that), I love the hopeful message at the end, and I am happy that the time line is now fully working in ARCs, I remember when I first started reading these books throughout Netgalley that the timeline was missing or the bare bones were there. Now I can read it + see some photographs of the person in question.

So I would still recommend this one, but I would also recommend checking out a bit more information in other books or online to round it a bit more.

I never knew about this artist, but my daughter told me she wanted to go to Japan and see her art. We have yet to make it to Japan, but we did make our way to The Broad in Los Angeles for its small Infinity Room where my family and I snapped a bunch of photos of ourselves enjoying the experience.

I appreciated the chance to learn about the artist. It's a bit of a sad story. I wish there was more on how the artist overcame the setbacks. Fortunately, she did and shared her art with the world.

I’ve never heard of this artist & this book is very well written and informative. I loved the illustrations except it focuses on her culture & her escape from Japan but the illustration of her doesn’t reflect what she actually looked like.

It was a joy to read otherwise.

Love the little people big dreams series. This book explores the life of artist Yayoi Kusama in a way that is appealing and approachable by kids. It is a great resource for introducing children to famous people they would not otherwise be exposed to. And as always, the art is wonderful.

Lovely as always though i did feel this was perhaps less informative than others in the series I have read. I did enjoy how dots wre incorporated into the illustrations throughout the book.