annieb123's review
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Jesse Owens 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 2nd June 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 presented in clear, accessible, age-appropriate language. The gentle and sweetly humorous illustrations were well done. The art by Anna Katharina Jansen is appealing and colorful and supports the text very well. Both the illustrations and text are rich in small subtle details which bear a closer look (like the illustrations based on historical photos, of him being a gracious winner at the olympics, and receiving the medal of freedom).
Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition.
Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Jesse Owens was an incredibly important sports and cultural icon under incredibly difficult conditions. It's vital for youngsters to learn about racial history and for their caregivers to never forget (lest we be doomed to revisit those awful times). For completeness (mostly for children's school and public library info): there's one illustration showing Jesse waiting his turn to shower while all the white athletes were showering and obviously there are strategically placed bubbles everywhere, but there is one, single, unoffensive, caucasian butt shown.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Jesse Owens 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 2nd June 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 presented in clear, accessible, age-appropriate language. The gentle and sweetly humorous illustrations were well done. The art by Anna Katharina Jansen is appealing and colorful and supports the text very well. Both the illustrations and text are rich in small subtle details which bear a closer look (like the illustrations based on historical photos, of him being a gracious winner at the olympics, and receiving the medal of freedom).
Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition.
Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Jesse Owens was an incredibly important sports and cultural icon under incredibly difficult conditions. It's vital for youngsters to learn about racial history and for their caregivers to never forget (lest we be doomed to revisit those awful times). For completeness (mostly for children's school and public library info): there's one illustration showing Jesse waiting his turn to shower while all the white athletes were showering and obviously there are strategically placed bubbles everywhere, but there is one, single, unoffensive, caucasian butt shown.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
bonniereads777's review
5.0
This biography for kids is about Jesse Owens, a world class runner who overcame extreme prejudice to become an Olympic gold medalist.
The Little People, Big Dreams series is a great series for young children to learn about the great people who came before them. If you have children or grandchildren who want to learn about the past, you will like this series.
I received a free copy of this book from Frances Lincoln Children's Books and the authors via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
The Little People, Big Dreams series is a great series for young children to learn about the great people who came before them. If you have children or grandchildren who want to learn about the past, you will like this series.
I received a free copy of this book from Frances Lincoln Children's Books and the authors via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
bonniereads777's review against another edition
5.0
This biography for kids is about Jesse Owens, a world class runner who overcame extreme prejudice to become an Olympic gold medalist.
The Little People, Big Dreams series is a great series for young children to learn about the great people who came before them. If you have children or grandchildren who want to learn about the past, you will like this series.
I received a free copy of this book from Frances Lincoln Children's Books and the authors via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
The Little People, Big Dreams series is a great series for young children to learn about the great people who came before them. If you have children or grandchildren who want to learn about the past, you will like this series.
I received a free copy of this book from Frances Lincoln Children's Books and the authors via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
markwillnevercry's review
4.75
Turns out, you can beat world records and make Germany upset in 1936, but it will not fix racism in the USA, not even a bit.
gigiinzim's review
5.0
I love the little people, big dreams books. They are well written, tell a delightful true story in an age appropriate way and have beautiful illustrations.
I didn't know much about the story of Jesse Owens before reading this little book. I was grateful to have the opportunity to read this story and will want to learn more about Jesse. I highly recommend this book for anyone who reads to children. They will have fun getting to know this special story.
The publisher made a copy of this book available on Netgalley. The thoughts and opinions here are my honest review.
I didn't know much about the story of Jesse Owens before reading this little book. I was grateful to have the opportunity to read this story and will want to learn more about Jesse. I highly recommend this book for anyone who reads to children. They will have fun getting to know this special story.
The publisher made a copy of this book available on Netgalley. The thoughts and opinions here are my honest review.
5elementknitr's review
4.0
Strong man, sad tale of racism and censorship, hopeful tale of putting Hitler in his place.
thewoollygeek's review
5.0
Classic Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, another amazing addition to this wonderful library of inspiring legends , I cannot recommend these enough for big people as well as little, they are a joy to read and may teach you something new.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
gen_wolfhailstorm's review
4.0
Thank you Netgalley for this e-arc. All opinions are 100% my own.
Now this was a person I knew nothing about, and I'm sad for that because what an achievement Jesse made. I felt heartbroken for him that he faced all these prejudices, it would have dampened my spirit, but he said "find the good. It's all around you" and this, I feel, will stay with me.
I'd actually love to read a full biography about this athlete, which is the first time I've willingly wanted to read more about a sportsperson.
Another inspiring read from this series.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
Now this was a person I knew nothing about, and I'm sad for that because what an achievement Jesse made. I felt heartbroken for him that he faced all these prejudices, it would have dampened my spirit, but he said "find the good. It's all around you" and this, I feel, will stay with me.
I'd actually love to read a full biography about this athlete, which is the first time I've willingly wanted to read more about a sportsperson.
Another inspiring read from this series.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
This picture book biography of Jesse Owens portrays his life story in a thorough, accurate way, showing what an inspiration he was as he harnessed his talent and triumphed in spite of bigotry and hatred. I enjoyed reading Owens's autobiography years ago, and this book hits the highlights and the hardest parts of his life, from his victory at the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany to his struggles to find employment in the US afterwards.
The book is very direct about the racism that he experienced, showing that not even his fame could buffer him from its insults and limitations. He was expected to take the back entrance to parties celebrating his victory, and as the author's note mentions, FDR did not invite Owens to the White House, as he did with other Olympic victors. However, one thing that parents should be aware of is that an illustration about Owens's segregation on track teams shows him sitting outside while white men are showering, and although the other men's frontal nudity is hidden with clouds of soap suds, one man is illustrated buck naked from the back. This portrayal of people in the shower was unnecessary and distracting.
Despite that one objection, I greatly enjoyed this book and recommend it to people who are fans of Owens or are learning the details of his life and struggles for the first time. This is a great, accurate resource that covers his life without leaving out anything significant that would distort the rest of the story, and the historical note and pictures in the back are also excellent.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is very direct about the racism that he experienced, showing that not even his fame could buffer him from its insults and limitations. He was expected to take the back entrance to parties celebrating his victory, and as the author's note mentions, FDR did not invite Owens to the White House, as he did with other Olympic victors. However, one thing that parents should be aware of is that an illustration about Owens's segregation on track teams shows him sitting outside while white men are showering, and although the other men's frontal nudity is hidden with clouds of soap suds, one man is illustrated buck naked from the back. This portrayal of people in the shower was unnecessary and distracting.
Despite that one objection, I greatly enjoyed this book and recommend it to people who are fans of Owens or are learning the details of his life and struggles for the first time. This is a great, accurate resource that covers his life without leaving out anything significant that would distort the rest of the story, and the historical note and pictures in the back are also excellent.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
sean67's review against another edition
4.0
Another winner from the Little People Big Dreams series, and what is extra good about this one is that it does not shy away from the racism Owens faced, and not just from Hitler's journey but from his home country of the USA, a place one could argue is birthed in racism and still is as divided as ever and has not even looked like coming close to being able to solve its racial problems, in fact they just seem to grow and multiply to more people being affected.