Like other books in this series, it is a fun little introduction to inspiring people. Definitely a great way to introduce kids to biographies and a nice read for adults too. I would recommend all the books in this series.

The Little People Big Dreams series are always great, and I'd always happily recommend any and all of them to customers. I'm yet to find one I don't like and they offer a great introduction to some fascinating people for kids (and in some cases adults too!).

4★
“That’s how Maria inspired children everywhere to be their best selves.”

This is one for the youngest children’s Little People, BIG DREAMS collection. Bold simple pictures with only a few words, but the importance of her work comes through. She was a curious little girl who loved learning.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Maria, reaching for books on her parents’ shelves

Born and raised in Italy, she made learning fun even for herself in spite of the teacher’s attitude.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: The teacher looking disapprovingly at Maria playing with letters on her desk

She was determined to become a doctor of medicine and was the first woman in Italy to go to medical school. I feel I've known about Maria Montessori forever, but I think I assumed that Dr. Montessori referred to a doctorate in education, not medicine, so I learned something here, too.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: The teacher and male students looking puzzled as Maria enters the university classroom

She had to study by herself, without the men, and then worked in a children’s hospital where children with special needs were treated as if they were sick. This wasn’t good enough for her! She played with them, gave them affection, and then decided she would open her own school, The Children’s Home. The children learned through play.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Maria and the children outside, imagining pirates and castles

She made such an impression that her schools are now worldwide and her methods are used in mainstream schools, with a lot of teachers possibly not knowing where the ideas came from.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Maria, teaching the teachers

Her methods benefit not only the children, but also all of us who will be living in a world which they will be in charge of when they grow up.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: “For the children of today are the makers of tomorrow”

It’s another simple winner for the very young. My preview copy had no cover and no additional information, so I don’t know if there are other resources at the end. I would have liked some dates and a little more information for the adults who will be reading this to children, or at least helping them to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the copy from which I’ve selected a few illustrations.

Maria Montessori is a pioneer in early education. In fact, her methods are still applied in eponymous schools. Her biography is so rich that a book such as this one can only make a dent when listing achievements.

This is one of the best of the series so far, with Montessori's story broken down into something easy to grasp without losing how much she impacted the world. Great illustrations as always!

Maria Montessori' by Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Raquel Martín is about the pioneering teacher and researcher and told in board book format.

Maria Montessori grew up in Italy in a time when girls didn't have the same educational opportunities as boys, but that didn't stop her. She was the first woman in Italy to study medicine. She used what she knew to help children and create good learning environments.

I didn't know much about this person, but thanks to this series, I'd like to learn more. The illustrations are colorful and nice. I like this series.

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

This is a title in the board book collection of Little People, Big Dreams series.  Each tells the story of a well known person in an easy to understand text.  These biographies show children a wide range of dreams and accomplishments with the hope that the child you read to will dream big too!


This entry is about the little girl who grew up to be the well-known educator.  Children will learnt that Maria  was the first girl to study medicine in Italy; she was often alone as the other students did not work with her.  Listeners will find out what Maria did after becoming a doctor and the great influence that she had on ways to teach children. They will learn that there are still Montessori schools today.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publiseher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

My First Maria Montessori is a new entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series of historical biographies of the childhoods and lives of notable people. I've reviewed a number of the books in this charming series on my blog. This one, about Maria Montessori, introduced me to some facts of which I was previously unaware.

Due out 3rd March 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it's 24 pages and available in boardbook format.

This is a lovely tribute to a woman who was educated as a medical doctor (the first woman doctor educated in modern times in Italy) and who used her abilities and observational skills to serve some of the most vulnerable children in her society. Considered disposable by her society at the time, she recognized that everyone could be educated and used her skills to make learning fun for the marginalized and institutionalized children of Italy, and later the world.

The text by Isabel Vegara is simple enough to be understood by very young children. The art, by Raquel Martin is colorful and appealing and illustrates the text very well.

Very well done book and a lovely and worthwhile series. It would make a great bedtime read or a reading circle or classroom read for the very youngest "readers".

Four stars.

As an educator who feels play is just as important (if not more) than "lessons," Maria Montessori is my hero. Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's beautiful retelling of Maria's life and how she came to create the Montessori we all know today makes me want to pick up every single biography of Maria that I can find.

This is a woman who knows and understands the brain of a child...and what that brain needs to grow and blossom. This picture book touches briefly on the struggles Montessori faced as a woman in fields only populated by men at the time. I can only imagine what she had to go through to become the innovative woman we know of today.

As always, Ms. Vegara brings us a Solid Five Star Read. A huge Thank You to NetGalley & Quarto Publishing Group-Francis Lincoln Childrens for the digital copy to review.

Oh wow. I probably could write my own book about Maria Montessori who is and has been my own role model and hero. Few have influenced my life and that of my children as much as Maria Montessori!
Maria Montessori, by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, is part of the Little People, Big Dreams series for children. The books are basically biographies written on child’s level about people who not born into greatness but, instead, lived to achieve their dreams. Montessori is best known for her unique method of educating children that was and still is practiced in many countries through schools founded on her philosophy and by many homeschool families who appreciate the child centered approach to learning. The book often points out, rightly so, that Maria received her education, in science, medicine and more, at a time when girls were not encouraged to do so. She overcame the odds to become an expert in childhood education.

My one drawback to this book is that the author describes Montessori’s method as education through play. While playing in an important part of learning for us all, that is not the foundation of Montessori’s teachings. Learning is everywhere – play, cooking, building, every day skills that we must achieve. Giving the child access to multiple areas in which to learn – including play – is essential to their growth. My son was cooking Mac and Cheese from scratch when he was five years old because he was never told that he couldn’t. All of my kids stayed well above the “normal” achievements of others because they were never held back from learning new skills. Freedom to learn everywhere, that is the beauty of Montessori’s method.
Maria Montessori is marvelous addition to this incredible series and one that I hope parents and teachers alike will utilize to their fullest extent.

If you read these book, or have already, let me know what you think. If you haven’t, then I encourage you to do so regardless of your age. You will learn something new, guaranteed.

As a Montessori homeschooling mom, this book is especially close to my heart. I bought the first version for my children, and they loved it. This short text version is appropriate for toddlers.
Maria Montessori changed our lives. I always recommend to parents books written by and about her. This one is high on my preferences list for children's books.
Thank you to Net Galley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review!

Cute little book with adorable illustrations.I would have preferred if it had a bit more about Maria Montessori a page or two .This looks incomplete to me.

This is the board book edition so it told the main details of Maria Montessori’s life from a girl who had her own ideas at school, to the first female medical student in Italy to an inspirational woman and teacher of teachers. It’s a sweet and enjoyable book and is quite inspirational.

I really love the books in this series and I am genuinely delighted when a new book is released!

This was an inspirational book about Maria Montessori that teaches children to think outside the box, push the envelope and follow their dreams. This is another great book to add to the Little People, Big Dreams collection!

It is 4 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended and can't wait for my daughter to get involved in the series!!

This book is filled with beautiful illustrations and easy to understand story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just reviewed Maria Montessori by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. #MariaMontessori #NetGalley

Who doesn't know of Montessori way? I do. I never realized who the person behind the education method. By reading this book, a glimpse of Maria's life give me the idea of why and how she become so apt in teaching. Go give yourself the pleasure of reading about Maria.

Small but interesting book for children

I really like this series ("Little People, Big Dreams"). I enjoyed reading about Maria Montessori. Although I know about Montessori schools, I have to admit I had not known her story! I learned she was the first female doctor in Italy, and founded the Montessori method. The book is quite short. I liked the accompanying illustrations. Another good book to inspire children to dream big.

This is a very simplified version of the original Little People, Big Dreams book on Maria Montessori. There is one line per page giving basic information about this well known woman. Each double page spread then has a large, detailed illustration that could be used for discussion. We learn that she grew up at a time where women were expected to be homemakers. She became a doctor, but was largely ignored by her teachers and other students. She was placed in a hospital where the children were not sick, but had various special needs. Developing what has become known as the Montessori method, these children learned and thrived. A cute story for very young children.

I adore the Little People, Big Dream books which is a bestselling series that introduces young readers to inspirational people throughout history. The books demonstrate that many successful people have had to overcome challenges in their lives and work hard for their achievements. The board book versions provide even the youngest readers in our lives an opportunity to hear these incredible stories. Each book is complete with clear, bright and colourful illustrations that tell the story just as much as the words.

As a primary teacher I have heard lots of information about Maria Montessori and her methods are still held in high regard. She became the first person in her country to study medicine, not an easy feat when she wasn’t supported. Maria found inspiration when working with children in a hospital who were labelled as sick due to their different learning and developmental needs. This experience would lead her to open a school and become a world leader in education. Her pedagogical methods are still used in many parts of the world.
Another great book to add to your Little People, Big Dreams collection or the perfect start.

‘For the children of today are the makers of tomorrow.’

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#Netgally #MariaMontessori

The illustrations were as beautiful as always in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I would've enjoyed a tad more depth in this biography, as it did feel more brief than others. An interesting read, but not memorable.