I've always been intrigued by Shackleton, and the amount of info the author packed into this short, simple book shows how it doesn't take much to tell a good story. Glad that young readers can catch a glimpse of how choosing to care for and encourage others can help you succeed in extraordinary things. Not many explorers chose that route.

I had no idea who Ernest Shackelton was going into this, but I trusted Little People Big Dreams. I'm so glad I read this to my kids so I can research this explorer more :)

Ernest Shackleton // by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara // illustrated by Olivia Holden

"Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all."

Ernest Shackleton is a name that I did not immediately recognize. His story though is more familiar. This is another fantastic addition to Vegara's Little People, Big Dreams series. She tells the story in a way that's easy to understand but that still conveys the lessons of the character that the book is about, which in this case is perseverance and optimism. Olivia Holden's style of illustration works great for the time period and adventure in this book as well.

This was such a cute story. The pictures are well done and will keep a child’s interest. The story is informative, but does a great job of making it feel like a story. I could see this book appealing to a child who likes non-fiction, but also to a child who likes stories with pictures. As I was reading this, I thought of the kids and the different comments I have heard over why they do or don’t want a book. This is a very engaging book and one I hope to get for my library’s collection.

My favorite series.and yet another personality I never knew off.Amazing explanation of Ernest Shackleton Antarctic journey.
Just bring it home and add to your cr.

Pleasant illustrations and simple text make this appropriate for the youngest biography readers. The message, that optimism and teamwork are important characteristics of good explorers, is a good one. A good choice for little adventurous spirits.

I don't know that I have much to say besides I enjoy this series and I am always glad to see new people featured in it. They are wonderful introductory biographies with beautiful illustrations. Keep them coming!

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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 one here is about Ernest Shackleton, an Irish Antarctic explorer. Sadly, I wasn't familiar with him and his story, therefore now I'm really happry to have discovered such an ispiring figure. His Antarctic adventure is something really incredible and now I so want to learn more about it!

Another great entry into the series! The kids I work with love survival stories, so this is definitely one I can see being popular.

Just looking at the cover of the latest entry in this excellent series makes me smile.  Young Ernest invites young readers into his world in this well illustrated book. 


Children learn early on that Ernest's family had lived in the same village for over 150 years!  How far away did his interest in exploration take him?  How did he do it? Well, the author notes that Shackleton had four important qualities that would serve him well; optimism, patience, idealism and courage.  He also knew that it was important for people to work as a team.  Off Shackleton went one day with men, dogs and more including a cat named Mrs. Chippy to go on an amazing voyage.  Readers learn that there was adversity and a need for courage in the journey. How did it end? Readers will enjoy finding out!


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.  This book is an inspiring entry  for youngsters who dream of adventure.

Once again I have learned about another person from history that I previously knew nothing about. Thank you Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book and giving me the opportunity to learn about Ernest Shackleton. Ernest shows us that with determination, thoughtfulness and hope you can overcome many obstacles.

I got this on Netgalley in exchange of an honest review!
First off I really want to say that I enjoy this whole series, and that I like how it depicts a variety of different people. A thing I really enjoyed about this one was that it tells the story of someone who didn't quite make it, but still went on an incredible journey and survived against all odds. I only wish this had more focus on the perils and the struggles, instead of barely mentioning them and just skipping ahead.

We tend to forget the names of people who didn't quite succeed in what they were doing, although, sometimes, what they did was still important. Such is the case of Ernest Shackleton, who had hoped to be the first to walk to the South Pole. He didn't make it, but he saved his crew, who were trapped in the ice, and they all got home alive (in the middle of the first world war, to be exact.

This cute picture book goes over his life briefly, and is quite interesting, and makes you want to know more about him.

Only flaw that I hope is removed before the book is published is the image of polar bears at the south pole. Nope, not there.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Another great book from the Little People, Big Dreams series. This book delves into the life and achievements of Ernest Shackleton. As with all the Little People, Big Dreams series the book is filled with stunning illustrations and easy to access biographical story texts for younger readers. This book tells of the remarkable failed expedition to the South Pole and the rescue from Elephant Island. It is a great introduction to his inspirational story for younger readers as it leaves many details and interesting facts for future discovery.

Ernest Shackleton is a new biography 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 innovative icons while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail.

Due out 1st Sept 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it'll be 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

Written by Isabel Sánchez Vegara it's well written in clear accessible language. The gentle and vibrant illustrations were well done. The art by Olivia Holden is appealing and colorful and supports the story very well. The illustrations are bold and simple.

Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition. I also appreciate that there are suggestions for further reading in the back of the book with the timeline of Shackleton's life.

Four stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Shackleton was obviously a brave and incredible explorer, but the book also highlights his accomplishments as a leader and optimist and hero to his men. This book is a tribute to an icon who still represents the ideals of exploration and discovery. It's nice to see him being introduced to a new generation of kids.

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

A little big book. This collection has been arousing my interest for some time now. It is undoubtedly a collection for the youngest, but it is indispensable for the oldest. This kind of book is easy to like, by the way, there's no way you can't enjoy an extra dose of knowledge. I really recommend, in a simple and direct way, it gives us the story of Ernest Shackleton, which I did not know. Here is the great advantage of these books: we got to know the history of people who easily get lost in years of history. A collection that I would like to do in the future.

One of the newest additions to the popular children's picture book series Little People BIG DREAMS is this little book about Ernest Shackleton. The biography is concise and written in a way that is appealing to young children. Each page is illustrated with colorful drawings of Ernest at momentous moments in his life. We learned about how he wanted to be an explorer ever since he was a small child. As an adult he was part of a crew on several journeys and then decided to form his own crew to go to the South Pole.

As always, these books help spark inspiration and an interest in history in kids. We had just been talking about if we would want to travel to Antartica so the timing of this book crossing my path was perfect. I highly recommend this mini biography for any young explorers in your life.

A beautiful instalment to the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. This book is about the explorer Ernest Shackleton and his expedition with his team of people. It’s written wonderfully and concisely and each page is filled with beautiful, colourful illustrations. An easy to read inspirational text written in a manner that is clearly accessible for young readers. The book finishes with a timeline and a short biography about the explorers life. Highly recommended for all ages.

Love this book and this series! I work in a children’s book store and I love to recommend these books to parents. They are certainly informative, but they are wonderfully illustrated.

Another great book in this series! An inspirational brief biography about the great explorer, Ernest Shackleton. I loved learning about his expedition to Antarctica and the deadly challenges his crew faced and overcame. A perfect read for children of all ages!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.