Little People, BIG DREAMS. One of a series for adults to read with children and for ESL to polish their English and learn about people who have shaped their world.
Wilma comes from a long line of wise people who lost their land and were forced to move far away. She determined to make a difference in the world for her people and for the environment. And she most certainly did!
The illustrations by Alexandra Bowman are mostly simple, colorful, and forthright. Every public and school library needs a copy!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group/Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange of my honest opinion.

I love this series. It is definitely one of the best out there and I more than grateful to be able to read this new instalment.

I didn't know who Wilma Mankiller was and I just discovered a great woman who did amazing things.

That is what I love the most about this series, you get to know people that changed the world in a fun and entertaining way.

The thing I love about this series of Little People Big Dreams is that even if I have heard of the famous person that is being featured, I am sure to learn something new.

In this case it was Wilma Mankiller, and while I knew that she was a Cherokee Chief, I didn't know much more beyond that. I didn't know she was part of the Thanksgiving protest at Alcatraz Island in the 1960s, and even if I had known, I didn't know what she was doing there, seeing how far that is from Oklahoma, where the Cherokee nation is based, these days, after they had to move there with the Trail of Tears.

So, yes, it was interesting to see the path she took to get where she arrived at in life. And as always, if kids want to know more, after reading this, they can find more books on her.

Great stuff as always.



<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

I’ve been inspired by Wilma Mankiller since working on a textbook project in university about her. The past almost ten years since then, I’ve been thrilled to see more and more being written and talked about her. Such an inspiring woman, a great leader and person. The Little People, Big Dreams series is one I’ve been working on to promote at my library, so when I saw this ARC available I knew I had to request it. Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara does an amazing job with this book, really getting across Wilma Mankiller’s heart and love of her community in a way children will love and understand. She’s a wonderful role model for children and I’m so glad to see her getting so much coverage.

Thank you to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (Quarto) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara explores the childhood experiences of Wilma Mankiller to uncover the catalyst for this venerated member of the Cherokee Nation’s legacy.

The little people you share this one with will be amazed at Wilma growing up in a family of 11 children with no electricity and no plumbing. Despite her humble beginnings and being bullied at school, Wilma’s desire to do something about the mistreatment of the Native Americans in Oklahoma was ignited at an early age and the embers burned brightly until she had freedom to act upon it. Eventually, Wilma became an advocate for her people and was elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation - the first ever woman to hold this position.

It will be good for children to realize that sometimes the seed of a desire needs to be watered for quite some time before the results are seen.

I think the take away for most readers will be the adoption of the ‘Cherokee approach’ to life - a central focus on the good things and a belief that “every day is a great day if you want it to be.”

I was gifted this advance copy by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Quarto Publishing Group, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I received an ARC of, Wilma Mankiller, by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. I have never heard of, Wilma Mankiller before, what an inspiring women. Wilma had a hard life, but did not let it get to her, she knew what was right and wrong, and how to fight for the rights of her people.

Wilma Mankiller is among one of the many women who inspire me, because she fought not just for her people, but for their culture. This book gives you true context for a little one as to the real effect of the Trail of Tears…something that many textbooks are watering down. And despite displacement, Wilma grew into her own, and decided to not just fight for herself, and her heritage. Truly a remarkable woman, she will inspire many young girls, especially one’s of native descent, ensuring that many will continue to stand their ground for years to come.

Wilma Mankiller
by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Rustically drawn in a cartoon / children's book medium this book brings to the youngest of readers the story of the Native Americans, and the trail of tears. It allows a phenomenal woman to come into the predominate culture, allowing the Native American Culture to be represented. When you use Amazon to look up her name you see the quarter that celebrates her. I am glad the author and publisher wanted to bring her story to the youngest audience. We need to know more people in our history, especially those that represent their people . Wilma Mankiller is honored and recognized as the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She changed the environment of her people in the Oklahoma reservations, adding education, and economic independence for the people. Bringing more ties to their heritage, their culture, and their history.

I was excited for this entry into the series, but I don't think it fully got across how important Mankiller was and what she accomplished.

Wilma Mankiller is the newest lead in this latest edition of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. This series is such a delight and the perfect way to educate not just kids but everyone about historic and cultural icons.

Wilma Mankiller was a Native American activist, social worker, community developer and the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. This book follows Mankiller as engaged in protesting Alcatraz to becoming the first female Principle Chief.

Alexandra Bowman illustrates this installment and does a fantastic job. Bowman's art style was so captivating and her art definitely further helped tell Mankiller's story. I love collecting these books and am so thrilled to add this one to the rest of my collection.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The world is full of interesting and accomplished people. All of them were once children as this author knows very well. Ms. Sanchez Vegara has authored many interesting short books about young people with big dreams. This newest entry tells the story of Wilma Mankiller, a well known Native American.

Young readers will watch as Wilma grows from a young girl to an activist and then to her election as, the first female, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. The story notes some difficult times in American history including the forced relocation of the Trail of Tears. There was also a move that Wilma’s own family made when she was young. She left her land and go to San Francisco. She returned to Oklahoma many years later.

Wilma became a wife and mother (she, herself was one of many children). She also became dedicated to her cause.

Through Wilma, young readers are given an example of the importance of fighting for the things in which a person believes. Is there a better message for these days?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto-Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Wilma Mankiller was part of the Cherokee tribe that was forced to relocate as part of the "Trail of Tears." I really loved the illustrations of all the different ways Wilma tried to create change in her community. I didn't realize she was involved in the Alcatraz protests to reclaim the stolen land. She became the first principal Female Chief of the Cherokee Nation. This is a great resource for children to learn more about Native American history, and a great resource for school projects.

My kids love the Little People, Big Dreams series for introducing them to change-makers throughout history. While Wilma Mankiller’s story is impressive, this book will not be joining our collection of favorites.

The way the story is presented, the timeline is unclear and discombobulated. The biography at the end was much more clear and spoke more of Mankiller’a achievements. We also didn’t care for the style of the basic illustrations.

While this book wasn’t our favorite, this series has a lot of really valuable stories that are much better presented.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for our honest review!