Obviously this is a basic biography for very early readers, and it did include references to some important facets of Dickens' story, especially the bleak economic reality of Victorian England (debtor's prisons, child labor) and the serialization of his novels, but the focus on A Christmas Carol seems to have taken over in place of further exploration of the author's life and career. It's obviously his most famous work, but it felt a bit abrupt to end his story there.

This is a good starting place, though, and the accompanying illustrations are lively and detailed. Hopefully reading this will inspire interesting further discussions!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Charles Dickens is the newest to be spotlighted 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.

Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world's best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. This book shows Dickens as he left school to support his family when his father was in a debtor's prison to his work as a junior clerk at a law firm to becoming one of the most famous and accomplished writers in history.

Isobel Ross illustrates this installment and does an amazing job. Ross' art style was so captivating and her art definitely further helped tell Dickens' story. This installment did a great job of educating me about a historical figure. I love collecting these books and am so thrilled to add this one to the rest of my collection.

Charles Dickens is another wonderful book in the Little People Big Dreams series! I loved learning about his life and what lead him to pen some of the most beloved stories of all time. I think children will enjoy learning about life of the author who is still celebrated today.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

My six-year-old loves every book that Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara writes in the Little People Big Dreams series. These inspirational biographies are the perfect way to give our kiddos a glimpse into the lives of people who have made an impact on the world. It also allows them to image diverse ways they might also make an impact. The Charles Dickens book gave a good understanding of the challenges he faced and a few of the most well-known works he authored. The story is, as always, expertly written for this age group. The illustrations are wonderful. Another delightful biography for any child, classroom or library.

The publisher made a copy of this book available for review via Netgalley. This is my honest opinion.

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 little book tells the story of Charles Dickens, one of the greatest English authors. I loved reading about him and watching the amazing illustrations. Dickens was a genius and a pioneer, and I'm happy children can find out about him in this cute way.

Charles John Huffam Dickens can teach us a lot about picking ourselves up, dusting off and trying AGAIN. The lessons he learned in the mid-1800s are still ones we can appreciate today.

Given a chance to go to school – an opportunity not many children had been given. His love of reading was fostered during these years. His life took a twist when his father was sent to prison for not paying debts and Oliver had to work in a factory 7 days a week, 10 hours a day. Time and again, through no fault of his own, he missed opportunities to better himself, but rather than complain he used the chance to take a different path than the one originally planned. When he finally became successful, he encouraged readers to open their hearts to those who struggle.

Children need to read books like this. The path to success isn’t often a straight one! Life isn’t always as we plan it and children need to see others who’ve succeeded after re-evaluating and trying again and again. They need to see that sometimes our experiences when things don’t go as planned are the very things that contribute to our eventual success.

I heartily recommend this great book which will instill necessary life skills for future heroes – little people with big dreams.

Isabel Ross’s illustrations are fantastic. Children will love the detail and become engrossed in the photos as they listen to the story.

Publishes November 9, 2021.

I was gifted this advance copy by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Quarto Publishing Group, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This time the little person with a big dream Charles Dickens. This entry in the well-done series introduces children to the prolific Victorian author. They learn about his father being sent to debtor’s prison and the many jobs that Charles had before becoming an author. Kids find out that readers eagerly awaited each entry in his serials. They discover that Dickens wrote one of the best known Christmas stories. All in all, a very nice look at the author and the power of words.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Another gem from the Little People, Big Dreams series. This one focuses on Charles Dickens and his resilience in overcoming some of the challenges in his life and what lead him to becoming an author. Good introduction to Dickens, his stories and some context surrounding them for a child and written in a very age-appropriate way.
Lovely illustrations add to the story and a great bed time story read.

The life of Charles Dickens from childhood through adult life and the continued love of his books today.
I love the “Little People, BIG DREAMS” series. The illustrations are unique and fun and the books are perfect introductory biographies for young children. With the focus on life and aspirations of these heroes as children, these books inspire children to never give up on their dreams.

Good introduction, as always, to someone famous, in this case, Charles Dickens.

Very simple explanation of where some of his story ideas came from, such as Oliver Twist, because he had to work as a child while his father was in debtors prison.

The Christmas Carol is emphasized over his other stories, here, for some reason, while only skirting by his other stories.

But as always, if it sparks interest in the young, they will go on to explore and find out more.


<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest reivew.</em>

I absolutely love how this series makes non-fiction text manageable for kids. I don't even think they would realize they are learning! Each page usually has 4 lines, but there is a lot of information packed in there and the illustrations are also beautiful. The end of the book has a full page or two with more information about the person. I recommend these books to my students and have them on my classroom wishlist.

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
Sanchez Vegara captures the depth of Dickens' life and abilities and condenses it to a version elementary level readers can understand and appreciate. She wisely focuses on a few of his novels and spends the most time on the one younger readers will recognize - A Christmas Carol. The illustrations show what life was like for the Dickens family and others in England. Details in the artwork bring readers into the text so they can see what Dickens saw.
Another well written entry in the Little People; Big Dreams series. I watch for these to purchase for our school library.

Another charming installment of the Little People Big Dreams series. There was a lot of information about Charles Dicken's life and literature for both kids and adults.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the advance copy.

This was a good entry into the series! It was more Christmas-y than I expected, but I did really like how it didn't shy away from real issues during Dickens' times.

Charles Dickens is a short illustrated biography of the famed author for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I've reviewed a number of these titles and all of them are delightful and exuberant little books which cover the lives of famous cultural, science, arts, and icons of innovation while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail.

Released 9th Nov 2021 by Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover, and ebook formats.

Written by Isabel Sánchez Vegara it's well written in clear accessible language. There is so much information included in this little book. The art by Isobel Ross is appealing and colorful and I found myself drawn into the pictures.

Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition.

Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Dickens lived a difficult life in many ways and the author does a wonderful job of relating information in an age appropriate way without being hurtful or maudlin. This would make a great starting point for deeper research for young readers and a good introduction to his work. I felt that there was an overemphasis on A Christmas Carol, but this book could serve as a springboard and introduction to his *other* works as well.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

Charles Dickens was so creative. He loved theatrics and acting. He found his true passion was writing about people though. His most beloved book is A Christmas Carol and is famous all over the world. He also wrote Oliver Twist.

I was not aware that he wrote his books in installments, releasing a chapter at a time. It was a terrific idea and got people so excited to get the latest chapter of his book. This was a new concept and made his writing even more popular.

This is a great story to know more about Charles Dickens. It is obvious why he became such a beloved author by both children and adults alike.

I love the story and the photographs as well. These always add something special to this series.

Thank you NetGalley, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, and Frances Lincoln Books for a copy of this book.

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)

Christmas is a big deal in our house. We have tons of traditions including watching multiple versions of A Christmas Carol. So when I saw this book I knew we had to add this to our collection. I loved finding out more about the author of such a beloved story. Terrific illustrations as always.

This was cute, and taught me things I didn’t know about Charles Dickens. I enjoyed learning more about his inspiration, and the causes he supported later in his life. The illustrations were detailed, and the colors very fitting.

This biography of Charles Dickens is a new entry in the Little People BIG DREAMS series that presents biographies of so many cultural heroes and favorites, people that young children should become acquainted with. Many of the major points of his life and career are covered well here, including his early life followed by his father’s going to debtors’ prison and Charles himself having to leave school and turn to factory work. From there it follows Dickens’ path through to his writing and his serialized novels which eventually became known around the world. The book is fully illustrated, as are all the books in this series. There is also a brief biography with photographs at the end of the book.

I recommend this as an introduction to Dickens for a child who enjoys reading. And I suggest having a look at the wide array of titles available. You will likely be amazed.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.