“Lewis Hamilton“ by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vergara, with illustrations by Fernando Martin is number 97 in the Little People Big Dreams book series for young readers.

Little Lewis Hamilton loved watching Formula One with his dad. When he got a remote control race car on his fifth birthday, he joined a racing club. He was the only black child there, which was discouraging, but his dad told him “let your results speak for you.” Eventually he went in to go kart racing, and eventually to Formula One racing.

This is such a wide and varied series, and I love every new one I get to read. This time around I learned about a remarkable racer. The art is bright and colorful and it’s another great entry in this series.

I learned so much about Lewis Hamilton in this! I had no idea that he had started racing SO YOUNG. There was so much I didn't know about and I'm so glad I know now after reading this!

One thing I love about this series is that I often learn about someone that I knew nothing about, and that is the case with Lewis Hamilton. I don't watch racing, so he is someone I did not know about, but I enjoyed learning about this wonderful, generous man. I read this book with my grandson, who was also quite interested in his past and present. Lewis' parents were divorced, but he spent a lot of time with his dad. On weekends they would watch Formula One racing and he was very interested in cars and motorcycles. Receiving his first remote control car at the age of 5, he eventually moved on to go-kart racing. He had to let his results stand for themselves, as he was the only black child in the clubs. He was the youngest winner of the British cadet go-karting competition. Shortly after that, he began training for Formula One. He broke the record for the most triumphs in Formula One and was also knighted. Lewis always remembered where he came from and he is now a campaigner for racial justice and racial diversity in sport, as well as an advocate for positive mental health as well as environmental issues. We talked about how he has used his fame in such a positive way and is a great role model for everyone, but especially children. As always, the illustrations by Fernando Martín are quirky and appealing to the reader, adding to the text on each page. I love the actual photos added in the timeline at the back of the book. I definitely encourage schools to carry this series and for teachers to use them when teaching about biographies, famous people and research.

Like a lot of people I know the name Lewis Hamilton, I know who he is and what he does…but know absolutely nothing about him or where he comes from.
I found out that Lewis's childhood was filled with cars, motorcycles and watching Formula One which he got from and enjoyed with his dad. On his fifth birthday, he received a remote-controlled racing car and joined a local club. It was hard being the only black child there at the time, but he listening to his dad's words: 'Let your results speak for you.' Didn’t stop him for filling his dream and helping win all the awards and doing all the work he does today not just with cars but charities and organisations etc as well.

This is another children's book from the awesome series called Little People, Big Dreams, which I am always excited to read more of.

This book is about Lewis Hamilton, who was inspired to get interested in cars by his Dad when he was young. One Christmas he got a go-kart, which was his prized possession. When he was ten years old, he became the youngest driver to win the British Kart Championship. When he was thirteen, he joined the McLaren's Young Driver Support Programme. He then became a famous and successful Formula one driver.

The book is full of lovely images, and easy to read text, which children and adults will enjoy.

I loved reading this book, which was very interesting, and I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I didn't know much about Lewis Hamilton going into this book, but this brought his life to light massively for me, as well as my little brother who I was reading with. I liked how it seamlessly moved from his childhood, to his racing career, to his more recent accomplishments in activism, all whilst maintaining engaging writing and vibrant illustrations for young readers. I look forward to adding this to my Little People Big Dreams collection, and definitely recommend checking it out!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced ebook copy of this title!

One thing that Little People Big Dreams does well is introduce children to people they may not learn about otherwise. Lewis Hamilton is one of those people. In the US, NASCAR is the racing norm. Not as many people follow Grand Prix, so the names are not as known or hyped. This was a great beginning look at a different version of a sport as well as a modern person who is making strides in all areas of life.

A very interesting read about a phenomenal individual. Lewis has worked so hard to get where he is and he is an inspiration to all young aspiring black boys. His dad is also such a wonderful person striving to give his son everything possible. A true inspiration!

Lewis Hamilton by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara within this wonderful Little People, BIG DREAMS series we discover the incredible life of Lewis Hamilton, Formula One champion.

Little Lewis's childhood was filled with cars, motorcycles and watching Formula One with his dad . On his fifth birthday, he received a remote-controlled racing car and joined a local club. It was hard being the only black child there , but he listened to his dad's words: 'Let your results speak for you.' His hobby led him to go-kart racing, and at the age of 10 he became the youngest ever winner of the British cadet go-karting competition. Shortly after, he began training as a racing driving with McLaren, rising through the ranks to compete at Formula One's Grand Prix.

Despite his amazing successes, from breaking the record for the most triumphs in Formula One to his knighthood , Lewis has never forgotten where he came from. Today he is a campaigner for racial justice and racial diversity in sport, as well as an advocate for positive mental health as well as environmental issues.

These books were a wonderful find and great for small children to learn about these wonderful people of our past and in the present.

I highly recommend these books. I love them.

5★
“Yet Sir Lewis has never forgotten who he is and where he came from. Lewis travels the world to encourage children to dream of a better future.”

If you have had any interest in motorsport over the last 15 years, you can’t have missed seeing Lewis Hamilton several times on a podium, holding a trophy. Born in England in 1980 to a white mum and black dad, Lewis grew up spending time with each separately after they split up when he was two.

He lived with his mum, but his racing interest was sparked by his dad. They watched races on TV, and later, dad helped Lewis get behind a wheel himself.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“he spent many weekends with his dad—watching Formula One racing on television.”

When he was five, his father gave him a remote-controlled car, and it was tough playing with the others kids, being the youngest and black as well.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“Lewis always followed his dad’s advice: let your results speak for you.”

Next, his father got an old go-kart and fixed it up for him. He promised to keep it in running condition as long as Lewis promised to work hard at school. But even with the best will in the world, sometimes the costs were too much, and Lewis had to miss competitions. That hurt.

But they both kept at it, and dad kept the car running so his son could compete.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“But all that sacrifice paid off when Lewis was ten. He became the youngest driver to win the British Kart Championship!”

Note the angry faces of the kids he beat and the stunned look of some of the parents (I assume). He was invited to a big racing event and doesn’t seem to have been overawed at all by the grown-ups there.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“There, he introduced himself to Ron Dennis, who was the boss of McLaren, Lewis’s favorite car racing team. Lewis asked him for a place on his team and an autograph that he kept forever.”

What a cheeky kid! But not only didn’t he have to wait nine years, he was given a place on McLaren’s Young Driver Support Programme only three years later! He’s on a team, accepted and encouraged at last.

In 2007, McLaren signed him to their Formula One team, the first black driver racing in the Grand Prix series.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“During his rookie season, Lewis ended up second in the World Driver’s Championship. And the following year, he didn’t just become the first Black driver to top the Formula One rankings, but its youngest champion ever.”

His dad’s advice was good: let your results speak for you. Or as I am fond of saying, success is the best revenge. I realise that sounds a bit spiteful, but at the times you need to think of it, that’s possibly how you’re feeling.

He continued winning, breaking records, and getting royal recognition for his success.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
Lewis and his mother after he was knighted in 2021 by then Prince (now King) Charles

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“Yet Sir Lewis has never forgotten who he is and where he came from.”

He works with kids around the world, encouraging them to become engineers, mechanics, drivers – do what they do best.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration with the caption:
“And every time he puts his helmet on, little Lewis shows that it is a sport that should be open to everyone. Because we’ve all got what it takes to win. We just need to show the world what we can do.”

I used to follow F1, and these days I see the occasional race, but I realise it’s sometimes a kind of niche interest. That’s one reason it was good to see a young fellow with little money but a lot of talent and a dedicated family make good - especially a black kid with all those hurdles to overcome. I’m delighted he’s trying to knock them over for the next generations.

Great series of books – loved this one. Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s books for the copy for review.

Lewis Hamilton is a current figure whose dream as a young child came true.
The new addition to the Little People, Big Dreams series is relatable for younger readers as many of the titles feature past figures and this figure is still very much alive.

The illustrations are bright and colourful and sit well with the text.

My daughter loved this - she's a big fan of watching the Formula 1 with her dad, and she was so excited to learn more about their favourite racer. It also opened up some important conversations about racism that were important to have.

I am so thankful these books exist because it is important for parents and children alike to remember where we came from in order to keep in mind where we are going and where we wish to go as a community! It is worthwhile to remember the past and the great strides that various individuals made in their own lives.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book introduces the reader to Lewis Hamilton and his career in racing. It begins with his parent's divorce and his start in gocart racing. It then shows his progress into professional racing. The end shows his work in charities.
As someone with no interest in any form of racing, this book served as an introduction to Lewis Hamilton and racing.

It is SO important to me as a mother, teacher, and human to be able to have kids see themselves in books. As a child that witnessed her parents get a divorce, this book broached the subject in a great way. It was identified, but then the story kept on going. Classy and perfection!

I also loved the touch of how we can support one another and cheer each other on, even if we’re different. This is an incredibly important lesson for kids to learn and it was showcased in such a beautiful way.

Next, to have kids identify themselves as being able to do what they want, it just takes some really hard work, is an important message for them to understand and hear many times, many ways as they grow up.

Finally, the artwork. As always, the artwork in this story is beautifully done and supports the story in so many ways! Thank you for the opportunity to review.

I had always seen Lewis Hamilton, but I didn't know a lot about him. This book was very informative and interesting. I enjoyed the illustrations and I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning more about Sir Lewis Hamilton. It expresses facts about his life in an easy to understand way. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

As someone who does not follow racing, this book was a great way to introduce it. Lewis Hamilton is an accomplished racer who now work on helping others pursue their dreams. A great story.

Another brilliant book in this fantastic series!

This one particularly appealed to me as it is about a well known sportsperson who is still at the top of his game and will be familiar to many school children.

This book tells the story of Lewis and his humble upbringing, through his driving career and eventual winning ways in F1 to being knighted. What a story! The book also mentions the work that Lewis does in terms of racism and LGBTQ+ and how that is a big part of his life.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review.

I really enjoy these series of books.

Fantastic reading for children with beautiful illustrations.

A great wat to learn about the life of Lewis Hamilton.

Fab books that should be available in schools.

This one's truly motivating. lovely illustrations as usual. I admire Sir Lewis' hard works, resilience, and persistence in order to achieve his dreams and to see that it's all paid off.