Another installment in the fabulous Little People Big Dreams series sees the life of Usain Bolt told and illustrated for a young audience. Beautiful artwork alongside text perfectly pitched at the target age range as usual.

I particularly liked how the book focused on never giving up - after a medical diagnosis, Bolt continued to work hard and achieved his dreams.

This is such a successful series of mini biographies, Little People, Big Dreams with inspiring stories of lives that can lift our young children’s imaginations.

You might think they’d be a shortage of new subjects to take the books forward. You might think that celebrity has become the focus as sports stars and pop idols fill the pages.

I wondered if this was happening when I picked up Usain Bolt a charismatic sprinter and Olympic gold medalist across three games.

When I read his story I saw how quickly adults might judge where children absorb simple aspects and find encouragement.

Usain loved sport and found joy and reward in running. The prompting of a coach and the support his school set him on his way. However the young athlete had some hard lessons to learn to find ultimate success and personal medical issues.

Simple text and vivid, colourful illustrations complete the piece and are the hallmark of these unique books.

I have learned about Usain Bolt and my grandson has further been influenced reading this story along with me.

The measure of a human being perhaps is how someone deals with their fame and success. The foundations and resources he has established in his home island of Jamaica are a credit to him and a true measure of the man.

Usain Bolt by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vergara is a great, age appropriate way for children to learn about Usain Bolt. I love how this book not only talks about his achievements, but also qualities that helped him achieve them like discipline. I love the entire series of Little People Big Dreams. I would have a whole library of these books for a small child. They teach children about public figures, but also go into other important qualities like being a friend, generous and helping. The illustrations are great too!

Another great addition to this collection of books. I loved the vibrant, colourful illustrations and I also really liked the inclusion of setbacks such Bolt's injury at the 2004 Olympics to show the importance of resilience. A wonderful book.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

With thanks to Netgalley for this copy.

Bright and colourful illustrations paired with engaging, easy to understand information. A great child friendly introduction to a great athlete.

Thank you Netgalley for advanced copy in exchange for review.

This book was really cute. Gave all the important facts about Bolt's accomplishments as well as provide information on how he got into track.

This is another excellent book in the series. The illustrations are really lovely and go well with the writing. It was really interesting to read more about Bolt and his life. I didn’t know a lot of it before. I thought that the illustration with his shoelace undone was great and liked the picture with him and others doing his well know pose was really good too.

Another book in a long, long line of spectacular biographies by Maria.
She has a unique skill of making a person's life interesting to children.

Usain Bolt is one of the worlds most known Olympic Gold Medalist. In this colourfully illustrated book part of the Little People, Big Dreams series we learn more from Usain's background. I would have never known before reading this that he first started out playing cricket. The book held so interesting facts.

It was a great educational tool which highlights that a persons natural talent can only take them so far; with effort, discipline and dedication you can achieve your goals.

“Believe in your dreams and that anything is possible.” - Usain Bolt.

I received an arc copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

With thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for giving me the chance to review this book.

I've seen these series of book in my local bookshop and library but have never read on till now. It is a perfect little book about the life of Usain Bolt. how he started off in cricket but soon became the fastest man alive.

A perfect book to share with children.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Received for review: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Why did I decide to turn the pages? I love this series. Most of the books are very informative, and I love the diverse representation in the series. So when I was given the chance to review it, I took it.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I loved the illustrations in this one. I also loved the focus on Usain's background and what he did after he retired. The book also focused on needing to work hard for your dreams and not just rely on natural talent, which I liked. There were a few minor things I thought could have been better, but overall, I enjoyed this one.

Pages: 32

Reading age: 4-7 years of age.

Love,

Danica Page

Little People, Big Dreams does an amazing job of telling the story of Usian Bolt. I had no idea he originally was into cricket and didn't even want to run. A great story about how practice can change your life. Perfect for readers of all ages who want to know more about this amazing sprinter.

This made me tear up! I never knew he had scoliosis - his adjusting to that condition makes him even more relatable for kids with physical disabilities. His post-career community work makes him a true role model. Definitely a book worth giving to kids and buying for libraries.

This is a great addition to this series, with wonderfully colorful artwork that complements the story of one of the most famous athletes in the world. This is a perfect read for little track-stars-t0-be, especially in an Olympic year!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The "Little People, BIG DREAMS" series, known for bringing the stories of inspirational figures to young readers, adds another remarkable biography to its collection with the life of Usain Bolt. This book not only highlights Bolt's journey from a young cricketeer and sprinter in a rural Jamaican town to becoming the fastest man in the world but also encapsulates the spirit of perseverance and dedication.

What makes this book stand out in the series is its ability to connect with children by presenting Usain Bolt's story as one of dreams, challenges, and triumphs. It is a tale that resonates deeply with the series' ethos of showing how every big dream begins with a dreamer. Bolt's early recognition for his speed, his breathtaking achievements at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and his world record-setting performance in 2009 are narrated in a way that is accessible and engaging for young readers. The book does an excellent job of conveying that Bolt's path to success was not without obstacles, emphasizing the importance of resilience and hard work.

The "Little People, BIG DREAMS" series is laudable for its diverse range of subjects, and the addition of Usain Bolt enriches this collection by introducing children to the world of sports and athletics. The narrative encourages readers that any dream is achievable with dedication, a powerful message that aligns perfectly with the series' goal of inspiring the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world.

The book's illustrations and design are likely as captivating as its narrative, adhering to the series' characteristic style that combines simplicity with visual appeal. This combination of storytelling and art makes Usain Bolt's biography not just a reading experience but an immersive journey into the life of a global sports icon.

The "Little People, BIG DREAMS" series offers a variety of formats to cater to different age groups, from board books for toddlers to more detailed stories for older children. This adaptability ensures that Usain Bolt's inspiring story can reach and resonate with a broad audience. The inclusion of activity books and journals further extends the learning experience, allowing children to explore their dreams and how they might achieve them.

The biography of Usain Bolt within the "Little People, BIG DREAMS" series is a splendid addition that continues the tradition of inspiring children through the stories of individuals who have made significant contributions to their fields. It teaches young readers about the values of perseverance, dedication, and the belief that dreams, no matter how big, can be achieved. This book is not just a story about a sports legend; it is a motivational tool that encourages children to dream big and work hard, making it a valuable addition to any child's library.

"Believe in your dreams and anything is possible!" This is one of Usain's famous motto or quotes. He practise this through out life.

I enjoyed reading Usain's story from his childhood too his Olympic successes. His story will inspire many children out there who may be serious about pursuing sports. You will learn what his first love in sport was (not running). Kids will also learn that natural talent is a gift but you also need to put in the work to keep and improve on the talent.

Usain Bolt is well written and beautifully illustrated to draw and keep children attention. I can't wait to purchase this for my kids.

The story of Usain Bolt shows children the importance of hard work in becoming successful. Usain not only achieved so much in the athletic world, but made a difference in the lives of the children he inspired.

I really love these little books which provide a lovely history of some well known clubs.

Beautifully illustrated the book also provides actual photos and a timeliness of key events within the individual's life

Usain Bolt joins the phenomenon of books by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and is a fantastic addition to the Little People Big Dreams series.
The books are particularly relatable to my class if the featured person is still alive- they seem to enjoy them more as it gives them a purpose to research and find out more about them.
The words that accompany the fantastic illustrations by Karen Crosbie are simple for even the youngest independent reader to understand. The text details how Usain found that he could run incredibly quickly when he was in his teen years and how quickly he achieved some fantastic world records.
The story continues with a timeline at the rear of the book that gives further in-depth information about Bolt's life to date.

I always enjoy reading the Little People, Big Dreams series of books. I find that I usually learn something about the character that the book is focused on while I'm reading and feel that the younger audience these books are geared toward will also learn something too. Usain Bolt is a great example of talent mixed with perseverance and dedication. I thought the story really leaned in to those themes to teach younger kids that it's important to work for what you want and to keep going to achieve your goals. There's also a great theme highlighted of giving back to your community and helping others achieve their goals as well.

I think Usain Bolt is a great addition to the LP, BD series and highlighting his accomplishments on the track as well as off provides a well-rounded picture of who he is beyond just the name recognition that came with his later racing career. I also really enjoyed the illustrations. They're well matched with the story and really help to illustrate what is being written about. Plus they are colorful and engaging to look at. Overall, a great addition to the collection. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review!