Each of these amazing people have achieved amazing things, but each of them started as a child with a big dream.
The series is large, and you can find reviews for books on Stephen Hawking, Jane Austen and LM Montgomery here at Kids’ Book Review, but Maria Montessori is the first book I've personally read from this series, and I had no idea what to expect.
What I discovered was an engaging and fascinating journey of a young girl with determination, grit and a very big dream.
Maria Montessori, born in Italy, was a gifted student. She went to an all-boys technical college because she wanted to study science. She was the first girl in Italy to study and graduate in medicine.
She worked in a mental health clinic with disabled children, and saddened by how they were treated, she gave them love and respect. She gave them opportunities to learn through games and fun activities, and soon Maria realised the same approach could help all children.
The rest, you could say, is history.
I love how engaging and interesting this book is, balanced with simple and small chunks of text, which won’t overwhelm or confuse kids as they explore the book.
Teamed with funky and colourful illustrations, the story becomes so much more than amazing facts about an amazing woman.
At the back of the book, you’ll also find photographs of Maria Montessori throughout her life with an accompanying timeline, as well as more detailed information for those wanting to know more.
Maria Montessori is a brilliant and engaging non-fiction picture book about an amazing woman, and I cannot wait to pick up more books in this fantastic series.
Title: Maria Montessori (Little People, Big Dreams)
Author: Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrator: Raquel Martín
Publisher: Francis Lincoln, $19.99
Publication Date: March 2019
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781786037534
For ages: 4 - 7
Type: Picture Book, Junior Non-Fiction