We have another hit in the Little People Big Dreams series with their latest children's book about poet Amanda Gorman. These books are so special because they highlight influential people of different backgrounds and abilities.

Amanda Gorman became a household name after delivering her poetic speech at Joe Biden's Presidential Inauguration in January 2021. She is an incredible role model for young children, because she had to overcome a speech impediment on her way to success. This book highlights that through perseverance and determination, you can achieve your goals.

The "Little People, BIG DREAMS" books are some of my favorites, because it tells you about important people in a way that is easy for little minds to comprehend. (And let's be real, some days my mind is little and I need to be told things as if I am 5.)  If you watched the Presidential Inauguration, you may be familiar with poet Amanda Gorman.  I did not realize that she had a speech impediment that she had to overcome and went to speech therapy to do so.  Hearing her speak now, it is clear she worked hard to overcome. I liked how I can quickly learn more about her, how she is changing the world and tries to remind us that we are more powerful together than we are apart.

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

ARC|GIFTED|AD Firstly oh my gosh how had I never of Amanda! I’m definitely going to have to check out her poetry ASAP. I loved that they included why representation matters: “Discovering books written by authors who looked like her helped Amanda find her voice”. While there is more diversity among authored there is still a lot of change that needs to happen. They got it spot on as to why I love poetry: it’s an art form and a tool to change the world - YES! Honestly this is one of my favourites I’ve read so far. “Every day, we write the future”

Amanda Gorman is the newest lead 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.

Amanda Gorman is an American poet and activist. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. The book follows Gorman as she grew up with a speech impediment to being named America's first Youth Poet Laureate and reciting her poetry at Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony.

Queenbe Monyei illustrates this installment and does a fantastic job. Monyei's art style was so captivating and her art definitely further helped tell Gorman's story. I love collecting these books and am so thrilled to add this one to the rest of my collection.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

First I want to say that I first saw Amanda Gorman at President Biden’s inauguration and was very impressed. Actually, I was blown away by her words and her stance. This book really does a great job of succinctly getting to the heart of Ms. Gorman and will give young readers the encouragement they need to grow in confidence of what thy could accomplish too!
I received a free copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This is a fantastic book about a young, living person who's accomplishing great things. I wish in one way that there was more to cover, but it's a short biography; there's plenty there for the length of the work. I'm glad that there are more books now featuring aspirational role models that kids can grow up with.

Stunning! Amanda Gorman is so talented, graceful, and eloquent, it is remarkable. Her words brought me to tears. So, when her life was part of the Little People, Big Dreams Series, I absolutely wanted to read this. I learned that Amanda was diagnosed with an Auditory Processing Disorder and a Speech Impediment. She could have let that pull her down, but instead she saw it would make her stronger and would help rise her up. She was a brave girl and has become a powerful woman who uses her beautiful words in poetry to be a force for change. The Light is Always There, If only we are Brave enough to see it, if only we are Brave enough to be it. So, those words spoke to a nation divided and she sought to bring us back together whole. She was 22 years old that day, the youngest poet ever to speak at an Inauguration for a President.

So, the message she is imparting to those skinny black girls that it is possible to be President will have a lasting impact on the next generation. Amanda Gorman also had a disability and the message again is one that it does not need to stop you from achieving your best self is so important, too. She is such a strong role model for all children, but especially those children who see a face that looks like their face or who struggle with a disability. Everyday is building on the last and change can and will stay. There is only one Amanda Gorman, but there will be another child who dreams of writing words and shaping the world through beauty and that will be a new unique voice. She is the first, but she will not be the last. Beautiful Book and Story.

This book belongs in schools and libraries across the country. It needs to be in areas where young black children can read them. That is the beauty in words and books.

Thank you NetGalley, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for granting me a copy of this book. I absolutely love it.

I love all the Little People, Big Dreams books that I’ve read and this was no exception! Amanda Gorman is an inspiration to everyone. She shares her love of reading, poetry and it also shares that she has a speech impediment and her determination to practice speaking to overcome it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group/Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the ARC.

This was a joy to read, although I feel like Amanda has a LOT more to give the world than just a speech at a president's inauguration. I hope the book will be updated in future to reflect her more longstanding achievements! This is the one book I feel doesn't quite fit with the series as she hasn't really had chance to make a greater impact yet!

I love this series and how each page has 4 lines. The illustrated part of the book gives essential information of the person's life and then there is a detailed 2 page spread at the back that gives even more information. All information is presented in a kid-friendly way. I can't wait to see what else this series has to offer.

I love these books so much. The illustrations are always beautiful, and the stories do a great job reaching children of all ages.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I love this series and the writing by Vegara was consistently good. I was disappointed by the illustrations though. I don't think they met the quality of the other books I've read.

I adore this series of picture books and board books so much! It is my goal to collect all of them for my future children. I loved this one about Amanda Gorman. I didn't know anything really about her and I loved learning. She is such an inspiration!

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Ever since seeing Amanda Gorman speak at the inauguration, I fell in love with her words. This illustrated book speaks on Gorman's earlier years and what inspired her to be a poet. It was fascinating to learn that Amanda grew up with a speech impediment and auditory processing issues. I also suffer from auditory processing disorder. It can be a very hard thing to deal with, especially being a child with it. It was great to see her accomplishments drawn out and in a format that will be a great read for everyone of all ages!

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
Sanchez Vegara's series, Little People, Big Dreams, continues to add people that young readers can identify with. She offers insight into their lives in a manner that elementary levels will follow and understand. In this case, they will recognize Amanda Gorman from her historic poetry reading at President Biden's inauguration in 2020. They may not know that she struggled with a speech impediment so will see how she persevered to overcome this. The artwork adds details to the text to offer further glimpses of Gorman's life. The timeline at the end presents more informative text.
Looking forward to sharing this one in our library.

For a parent of a child with speech issues, this book was so encouraging to show someone that started in the same place as him. It shows if you work hard you can overcome adversity.

Love this series, and this one is no different! Amanda Gorman is going to be remembered in the poetry community for being the first youth poet laureate of the US as well as for her great poem at the presidential inauguration. This one is especially inspiring for kids, since Amanda is still young and contemporary. I recently picked up a book of her poetry as well! As always, a nice series with great information and cute illustrations.

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

A beautiful book of of Amanda Gorman and her history in life. Highly recommend. Especially loved the reflection to true life to humanize my feelings and relate. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Amanda Gorman is a current addition to the phenomenon that is the Little People, Big Dreams series.
Each addition keeps getting better and I particularly love that the person that features in this book is of a current-generation which makes her undeniably relevant.
The illustrations are bright and captivating but it is the text, the rich, positive language that truly reflects Amanda.
This is very well written, inspiring, and a delightful read.

I went it into this book knowing little to nothing about Amanda Gorman. This is a great book. I love the positive light it speaks about Amanda as a black young girl and woman and those who paved the roads before her. As always it is inspiring to adults and young children to see another black face on a cover and inspiring to those with disabilities to feel seen as well!