Member Reviews

"She was the first woman and the first Muslim to be awarded the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor."

I had never heard of Zaha Hadid until this book, but hers is a story to be told. Once again, Little People, Big Dreams proves to be informative for both children and adults.

Was this review helpful?

I love this series, and this book is one of the best in it – I'll definitely be buying it for my nephews and for friends' kids. The artwork is gorgeous and the words really get across the nature of Hadid's work, why it's important, and what she had to overcome. Also it's ideal for people (like me) who live in Glasgow as Hadid designed the Riverside Museum, which houses the Museum of Transport. Really recommend this.

Was this review helpful?

What a great set of little books these are and especially Zaha Hadid’s. At first I thought the illustration a bit naive but after really looking I thought them perfect, I found myself looking at them properly and they added the extra interesting touch that set the book off perfectly. These books are a definitely a must for any child’s book shelf.

Was this review helpful?

Zaha Hadid is part of the Little People, Big Dreams series. Personally, I had never heard of Zaha Hadid, so reading this book was an educational experience for me! Zaha Hadid excelled in math and art as a young girl and ultimately became an architect. She was a pioneer in the field as she designed buildings that were new and different from traditional designs. Hadid became known as the "Queen of the Curve" and, as an Arab woman, brought change to a male-dominated industry.

A timeline at the back of the book provides additional information about Hadid's family, career, and innovation. This book would make a great addition to an elementary school collection. It is important to help young children recognize people that were influential in shaping different industries and we have typically focused on the men that made great discoveries. It is refreshing to see more titles about women who were/are trailblazers.

I received a free copy of this title from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

#ZahaHadid #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Another wonderful addition to this fabulous series! My daughter loves these books! We enjoyed learning about Zaha Hadid and will continue to read books in this series!

Was this review helpful?

This is a series that has grown and grown in our store, and it's always exciting to see who turns up on the covers. I was happy to see Zaha Hadid, as I am familiar with her, thanks to another picture book called, The World Is Not a Rectangle by Jeanette Winter.

Any book that opens our eyes to talented and interesting people, is a good book, and this is no exception. Zaha Hadid had a vision and a passion, and she didn't let the convention of straight lines stop her from creating ground breaking architecture. It's the sort of book that makes you want to go out and learn more, and that's what I did. I encourage all readers of this book to research the buildings Zaha created...prepare to be amazed.

I think it's easy to dismiss these titles as simplistic, but I think they are a great introduction to influential and interesting people in our world, and in our history. They're a starting point, encouraging readers to find out more.

Was this review helpful?

'Zaha Hadid' by Ma Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Asun Amar is part of the Little People, Big Dreams series.

Zaha Hadid grew up in Bagdad. She was interested in art and design from an early age. She later studied at the University of Beirut and had unusual ideas about architectural design. She imagined some of the most unusual buildings in the modern world.

I love this series and read all of them that I'm offered. The brief bios are well done and some times I even learn something new. I certainly did this time around. I loved Asun Amar's colorful, contrasting illustration style. It made the story vibrant and interesting.

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

Was this review helpful?

I am a big admirer of Zaha Hadid works, especially for the beauty of the floating spaces and the ingenious ways to display curved shapes and volumes that seems to contradict any classical categorization. She was a brave woman in an industry run by men. The first woman coming from the Middle East who made her voice heard so so far away that become a trailblazer for women in architecture and women professionals in general.
'A true pioneer who dreamt of the future and dared to build the impossible', as it is described in this inspired illustrated book. The language is accessible and the illustrations are colourful and appealing therefore it makes it into a book that targets a big variety of readers, from preschool children to curious adults. It helps to make Zaha Hadid works known for a wider audience while encourages the reader to start searching more about her achievements. I personally had the chance to see some of her works in real life and they face the viewer with an impression of overwhelming mathematical beauty.
A book worth reading to your children, definitely.

Was this review helpful?

This installment of Little People, Big Dreams covers of the story of Zaha Hadid, a Muslim woman who revolutionized the architecture industry in a time when men, boxes, and straight lines dominated the field. I love this series for how it highlights remarkable individuals who readers may have never heard of but who have changed the world in their own ways.

Was this review helpful?

The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The ‘My First Little People, Big Dreams’ series provides informative and inspirational biographies about people who left a mark on this earth, no matter what difficulties they have encountered.
These stories are very short, but that’s because they’re books for children, so it’s totally understandable.
I think they are a very smart and wonderful way to introduce little children to such important figures.
This one here is about Zaha Hadid, a visionary Iraqi-British architect. She was not just a creative woman, but also a brave one. She was a muslim woman who imposed herself in a world of men. A true inspiration.

Was this review helpful?

Zaha Hadid by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is from The Little People, Big Dreams series of books, Which, I just love. It maybe only 32 pages but its pack with so much information of Zaha Hadid life. It's a true story of the female architect known as the "Queen of Curves", and her difficult path to become one of the most respected and innovative visionaries in a profession that had traditionally been dominated by men in the past and still is.

This little book has Lovely illustrations throughout. This set of Little People, Big Dreams series of books are great contribution to children's literature and are great for reading at home or at schools.

Big Thank you to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing, and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I love this series. And i adored this book. Its written in a simple way that children will enjoy reading. Also the pictures are interesting and as the saying goes: a picture speaks a thousand words.

Was this review helpful?

Zaha Hadid is one of the books in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I had not heard of Zaha before and so this book was the perfect introduction to the story of young Zaha as she grew up to be an incredible architect.

I think it's great to see the focus be on a young woman trying to change and improve the architecture around the world as it shows the children that you can do anything you put your mind to if you really work for it and seeing her being so brave and daring with her designs is inspiring for the children to see. It I should great to see throughout the book how new and innovative her designs were for the time and I like that as a person she didn't seem to be put off by a challenge which is a great attitude to show children.

The illustrations in the book are gorgeous with lots of lovely bright and detailed cartoon images showing how her life was as she grew up and on her journey to and being an architect. I really liked that we got to see some photos of her at the end and a page about her story which is great to learn a few more facts and makes it feel a lot more of a real story.

I think this is a brilliant book to encourage children to aim to achieve their dreams and so inspiring to see some real young people who have managed just that, I'll definitely have to keep an eye out for more from this series in the future!

Was this review helpful?

The illustrations are adorable and I think this one about Zaha Hadid can be inspirational for kids and adults alike, to show that women can do anything they want if they set their mind to it.

Was this review helpful?

I didn't know anything about Zaha Hadid - maybe I should be embarrassed to admit that? Anyway, I really enjoyed learning about her in such an accessible way. The illustrations were colourful and the story will inspire young children to follow their dreams.

Was this review helpful?

‘The Queen of Curves’ Zaha Hadid was a very unique architect and it is important to remember her legacy,even (and especially) amongst children,the future generation.

Another great cute book in the beautiful collection of books for small and bigger readers! I am in love with each and every one Little People,Big Dreams.
I appreciate that the curators,the writers and illustrators have decided to present figures from different backgrounds and ethnicity.Bravo!

Was this review helpful?

Another fun read from the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, and this time about a person I hadn't heard about yet: architect Zaha Hadid. Her story is told in vibrant colours and I was struck by how like 60-ies and 70-ies most of the pictures felt.

Another difference I see is that I mostly read about authors in this series before, but now, as this one is about an architect, you see her work, the buildings she created, instead of having just one symbol for her achievements like Frankenstein's monster was for Mary Shelley. Also, Zaha Hadid won numerous awards which are mentioned and would make a neat entryway for more research on famous architects and their work in one would be so inclined.

Again, the story is followed by a short timeline showing the most important steps on this person's journey and we have some ideas for further reading, both about Zaha Hadid and other installments in this series.
And, again, a clear recommendation from me. Still fun, still learning things, still am entertained.

Was this review helpful?

I simply love the Little People, Big Dreams series, and this latest addition to the series on “Zaha Hadid” was another great addition to this excellent series of books for children.

I thought that the illustrations were great and I loved the layout of the book. The story was easy to read and follow and the images helped bring it to life.

Zaha’s story is inspirational for kids and adults alike and as an adult, after reading this book I want to know more about this remarkable woman - it is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this books in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another great person. Another great life. Another great book.

I didn't know who Zaha Hadid was as I was starting the book and I am so glad to know a little bit more about her and her life now.

There were a few things that surprised me considering where she came from, and for that, I really have to applaud the decisions she made in life.

This series is as cute as necessary for readers (Young and Adult) . I think these books are amazing presents for children for them to know these great people.

The art work was very inspiring. Very colourful, detailed and eye catching.

Definitely another great read!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Loved this little biographical storybook about the life of architect Zaha Hadid. An inspiration to young girls with dreams of designing buildings. I liked that the author writes of her accomplishments and what that means for the world.

Was this review helpful?