Like other books in this series, it is a fun little introduction to inspiring people. Definitely a great way to introduce kids to biographies and a nice read for adults too. I would recommend all the books in this series.

Stevie Wonder isn't one of the people I know very much about. But I love the Little People books and just had to get this one as well. I just love how these books tell the lives of people that inspired the world in their very own and unique way.
And this one was no exception.

Great illustrations and facts about inspiring musician Stevie Wonder. An excellent addition to the series.

I did not know anything about Stevie Wonder's life and was only familiar with his most famous songs. This is one book in the collection that truly shows what happens when someone pursues their big dreams.

5★
“His family moved to Detroit and Stevie had to stay home a lot. To help pass the time, he began banging on pots and pans. Soon, he was playing his uncle’s harmonica and a neighbor’s old piano.”

Little Stevie Wonder (as I still think of him!) was named Stevland Hardaway Judkins when he was born prematurely in Saginaw, Michigan. Doctors think too much oxygen given then is what caused his blindness only a few days later. This information is given at the end of the book in the short biography which is accompanied by four black and white photographs. But the book for children opens with this delightful picture.

My Goodreads review includes illustrations. #1 is captioned:
Mother and nurse with little Stevie, already wearing his trademark sunnies!

After banging pots and pans and learning the harmonica and piano, he started joining others.

My Goodreads review includes illustrations. #2 is captioned:
“When Stevie heard people playing music in the street, he stopped and introduced himself. Clicking his fingers, he joined the party with a joyful voice, while John played the bongos.”

By the time he was eleven, Motown discovered him, signed him up, and the world was introduced to Little Stevie Wonder.

My Goodreads review includes illustrations. #3 is captioned:
Little Stevie Wonder with The Temptations, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye looking over his shoulder from posters on the wall

(And no, nobody explained here how he ‘signed’ his name, but I can probably look it up.)

From there, he hit the road with the Motown Revue, in a rough old bus. He was the first on the stage and the first to hit the hay after he performed. He was the youngest artist to top the charts. He had a tutor, of course, Ted, who had poor vision but who not only taught him, he wrote songs, too. One even became a hit! (No, I don’t know which one.)

When he had his first child, Aisha, he wrote Isn’t She Lovely, and he wrote his own Happy Birthday to encourage making Martin Luther King’s birthday a public holiday and promote peace.

My Goodreads review includes illustrations. #4 is captioned:
Stevie and Aisha at the piano

His Happy Birthday became so popular that people sing it everywhere to celebrate birthdays.

My Goodreads review includes illustrations. #5 is captioned:
Birthday celebrations around the world

He had become a world figure.

“With 25 Grammy Awards, he is one of the most celebrated artists of all time. Stevie was also named Messenger of Peace by the United Nations, and helped improve the lives of people with sensory, mental, and physical conditions.”

My Goodreads review includes illustrations. #6 is captioned:
Stevie pictured in front of the UN logo with Ted and others

His joy has been infectious since he was Little Stevie, and I think he will always be Little Stevie Wonder to me.

My Goodreads review includes illustrations. #7 is captioned:
Little Stevie with lots of kids playing music

I appreciate how the author has made this an exceptionally inclusive book, including diversity of many kinds in the illustrations without beating us over the head with it, as the saying goes. The more normal it is to see different people together, the more normal it will seem to young readers when they grow up.

This is such a delightful series of books. There are various levels in the series. There are some very basic books for tiny tots, and there are some more complicated stories for primary school children. They include some biographical text and photos at the end and links to further information. I’m pleased that so many schools and libraries have them.

There's a good article here about MLK Day and Happy Birthday.
https://nypost.com/2021/01/18/mlk-day...

Reading 'Little people, big dreams' is always a pleasure. Stevie Wonder is very inspiring and a great role model. I was surprised to read his career started at such a young age. He is definitely worthy of all of his achievements.

I love learning more about people who's lives I've never really questioned. Like Stevie Wonder. I never wondered about his early career. Didn't know that he was a child performer. This one isn't as detail oriented as some of the others in the series but is still a nice read.

This book flows like most books in the series. It’s an enjoyable read and most of the questions I had about the main story were cleared up in the biography note at then end. Another great book in a great Series.

'Stevie Wonder" by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with art by Melissa Lee Johnson is another book in the great Little People, BIG IDEAS series.

Stevie Wonder became blind a few days after his birth, but that didn't stop him from hearing the music around him and wanting to be a part of it. At the age of 11, he signed a contract with Motown, and was the youngest artist to top the charts. The rest is history.

I've enjoyed how this series distills biographies to the level of young readers. The art is always different, and I loved Melissa Lee Johnson's bright, colorful approach here.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group-Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

The exceptional Little People, BIG DREAMS series prides itself on providing child-friendly biographies of renowned public figures and celebrities and in this, the fifty-sixth book in the series, we explore the life and times of prominent singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. This potted biography runs from his birth, early years and the beginning of his love affair with music right through to today. It’s written in such an empowering fashion that gives children the message that they can achieve their dreams whatever they may be and shows that even with a disability you can overcome adversity.

What's impressive is there is just enough here to enable a child to become curious yet not enough to overwhelm, and the colourful, fun illustrations complement the text perfectly. It's an educational and entertaining read that empowers young ones to pursue their dreams without limits and inspires children to dream bigger and realise their fullest potential, by introducing them to extraordinary people throughout history. It's a wonderfully engaging and simple to understand book that also helps kids with literacy and fosters an enjoyment of reading. You simply cannot go wrong with this series in general as everything is executed perfectly and tailored beautifully to youngsters. Highly recommended.

Little People, Big Dreams is an outstanding series. This is an incredible book about Stevie Wonder. Stevie was just a young child when he yearned to be a singer.

He was blinded, but this never stops Stevie Wonder from becoming a sensational success and entertaining so many of us with his talent. We are lucky to have his outstanding work in this world.

I highly recommend this book for schools, libraries, and book stores. All children need to know that their dreams can become a reality. The illustrations are outstanding, too. They make the books unique.

Thank you, NetGalley, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.

I'm always amazed by how much I learn from these books. The illustrations, words and message about Stevie Wonder's life were truly inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this edition to the Little People, Big Dreams series. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my digital review copy.

This was another great read, driving the message home that anything is possible. If you want something badly enough, and you have the drive and determination you can achieve your dreams. A must read for all young people.

What a treat to read this “little bio” (for young readers) of one of my fav musicians, part of the beloved Little People, BIG DREAMS! series. It’s a remarkable look with terrific illustrations at Stevie Wonder’s wild success from an early age.

He was blind from shortly after birth, musically talented from a young age, master musician, songwriter and performer, and a supporter of the cause of justice. Highly recommended for young readers who will be inspired by the legend who signed his first recording contract with Motown at age 11.

5 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 23 Feb 2021
#StevieWonder #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Stevie Wonder is another amazing instalment in the Little People Big Dreams series. These books are amazing for children - they give short biography stories about inspirational people (who are well known so parents/carers/teachers can enjoy them too) who have made a difference in the world - in Stevie Wonders case its the music world and what he's done for people with sensory and physical disabilities too. These books are an absolute delight to read, I just adore them so much.

I read this book with my 10 and 7 year old girls. They love nonfiction and learning about important people in our history. This book led to some great discussions with my kids about musicians, people with vision impairments, and more. I also brought this ARC to my students at school. I used it to have them answer comprehension questions. They also asked a lot of questions. This book had a great amount of information to not be overwhelming, as well as to learn, without going super in depth. Great for our shorter reading blocks. Love these books!

Stevie Wonder is another Little People, Big Dreams Children's book by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. Stevie, a well known musician has overcome many obstacles in his life due to being blind and still has a successful musical career. He is and inspiration to many. With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

I love this book series. These abridged biographies are a great way to introduce children to the lives of such influential and inspiring people. This book about Stevie Wonder taught us so much. I never realized how young he was when he started out in his music career.

Yes! I've wanted to learn more about Stevie and this was such a fun start for my little one and me. I really love the focus on what he has given back to the community instead of focusing on his lack of eyesight.

I didn't know very much about Stevie's path to stardom and, while most of this contains what I already knew, it continues in the now-great tradition of Vegara quickly showing why these people are so special.

It reveres Stevie, his connection to music, and his efforts to bring everyone together. Once again, even though this series is aimed at kids, it's just as potent for adults.

The artwork continues to mesmerize and produce rich scenes that make revisiting this book near-effortless.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group, and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the advance review.