My thanks to Quarto Group - Francis Lincoln Children’s Books for a temporary digital edition via NetGalley of ‘Shakira’ by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Laura Diez.

This is No. 95 in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series of illustrated mini-biographies for readers aged 4-7 that is intended to introduce them to the lives of innovators in various fields, including musicians, actors, and artists.

I have enjoyed Shakira’s music ever since I first saw her ‘Whenever, Wherever’ music video and welcomed an opportunity to gain a sense of her early life. Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara emphasises the support Shakira had from her family and her love of world music and dance, which she has incorporated into her songs. I was also moved by her commitment to working with orphans.

The book ends with a biographical timeline accompanied by photographs and a suggestion for further reading at an older level.

Laura Diez’s art is very vibrant both in her use of colour and capturing a sense of the movement inherent in Shakira’s dancing. I especially loved the picture of a young Shakira doing a belly dance at school watched by two cheerful nuns and fellow students. Still, a couple of the students looked rather fed up as indicated by the text.

Shakira’s message is very upbeat and positive, an invitation to move our bodies to the many rhythms of the world. I am certain that this addition to the series will be popular with parents, guardians, educators, and librarians.

4★
“Shakira mixed English with Spanish, rock with pop, Indian clarinets with Arabic tambourines, old African riffs with fresh new beats… With each song, she invited everyone to enjoy the many sounds and rhythms of the globe.”

Shakira means “grateful” in Arabic, the background of her parents, who were living in Barranquilla, Colombia, when she was born. Her father always wore dark glasses in memory of Shakira’s brother, who had been killed in a motorbike accident.

Her father took her to a Middle Eastern restaurant when she was four, and she took off!

My Goodreads review includes a picture with the caption:
“… a musician played the doumbek, a traditional drum that accompanies belly dancing. As soon as she heard its sound, Shakira felt a warmth in her tummy!”

From that time on, she performed – at school, at home, in singing and dance classes, and eventually in talent shows. Her father wanted her to learn to be more than a star.

My Goodreads review includes a picture with the caption:
“… her father took her to a park where orphans lived, Shakira made herself a promise: one day, she would help kids like them.”

At only thirteen, she recorded an album. It didn’t do very well, but after another couple, she hit the top of the Latin music charts.

My Goodreads review includes a picture with the caption:
“From Colombia and Argentina, to Chile and Brazil, everyone in South America danced to her sound.”

Remember the kids she met? She founded a charity to help Latin American children.

My Goodreads review includes a picture with the caption:
“But no matter how far her music took her, she never forgot her promise.”

This book doesn’t mention that it is called “Pies Descalzos” (“Barefoot”) after her successful album of the same name. I decided to look it up, and one of the first images I saw was the real photo that probably inspired the artist.

My Goodreads review includes a photograph with the caption:
“Education is the footprint we leave today to build the children and youth's future world. We strongly believe in educating for the present and change.”
https://fundacionpiesdescalzos.com/en/

She travelled and performed everywhere with all kinds of musicians.

My Goodreads review includes a picture with the caption:
“Shakira mixed English with Spanish, rock with pop, Indian clarinets with Arabic tambourines, old African riffs with fresh new beats.”

She sang the anthem at the World Cup in South Africa, and she performed at America’s Super Bowl, “making ancient Arabic trills of joy”.

I think it’s fair to say she’s encourage a lot of people to move and shake with her. I am inspired by her charity work.

I wish I’d liked the illustrations more, and I’m sorry Shakira’s charity wasn’t identified by name, even in the real bio at the end. But I’m sure her fans will love the book. Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books for the copy for review.

nice little picture book with very simplified and basic information about the person the book is about.

i didn’t love the art, nor did i find the word choices (kept repeating that Shakira shakes her hips over and over) particularly well done.

i like the idea and i think it’s great that this book series exist but i also think it could be done a bit better and for a wider age range to enjoy.


as it is, it’s very clearly done for small kids and maybe those that just start to read in their own and are still learning to identify words and enjoy finding the same words repressed over and over to make it easier for them.

i didn’t really understand why the last few pages included the same info just a little more detailed about the person the books about again but this time written for a quick read through for an adult or older kid. why was that necessary? a brief summary over a person would do the same if someone wants to see if it’s a book they might find interesting for their child. but i guess there must be a reason for it i don’t see it understand.

a good book overall.

A cute, colourful book introducing children to the famous Latina singer Shakira. I liked that the story covered her background and early success

Shakira was never afraid to show off her passion for music. In fact, her music is famous all around the world. Not only her life teaches us about purpose of charity, and to proudly show off our heritage, it also teaches us to never to be shy to shine our talent to the world.
Filled with beautiful and vivid illustrations, and written in simplest language, this book is an ideal gift for readers who thrive to grow from inspirational biographies.

It is always amazing to be able to share Little People, Big Dreams books about women with the young people in my life, Shakira was a great addition. Like the other books, it had the perfect amount on text on each page, complimenting the illustrations and not overpowering them.
The illustrations were beautiful and were able to reflect the diverse cultural influences touched upon in the text. I will say that on first glancing the cover, it took me a moment to connect Shakira's name to the cover image of her, the best way I can describe it, is it seemed a little too blonde (which is a very vague critique I understand)
The only little issue I had way that the text felt it needed to state how she met the father of her children, these story's have to communicate so much in so little space, I felt like it was information that didn't necessarily need to be in the main story. Especially given the recent controversy that Shakira is another high profile woman who has been cheated on.
It was an entertaining and informative story, I actually learnt about Shakira's work with disadvantaged children. Like many of these story's based on musicians, we were able to follow up reading with some of Shakira's music, dancing and singing.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me review this story. My opinions are entirely my own.

I enjoy these books a lot. They humanize the subject and also introduce children (adults) person to admire.. Learning about Shakira's work with the children of South America and help them succeed as well

I have always admired Shakira's story so of course I loved this book. The illustrations are also beautifully done in an elegant but simple way. The writing is also very approachable for young readers and I think a great way for them to learn about influential people no matter what part of history they are from. Definitely a book that should me any school library.

These Book Don't Disappoint when it Comes to Amming it's Subject Matter at a Younger Audience, Especially when it comes to The Queen of Latin-American Music!
(Thanks to Net Galley for this Book).

It all began with a dream of making music and performing while dancing. Born and raised in Colombia, she enjoyed music, belly dancing, writing songs, and singing on stage. She spread her music with the many sounds and rhythms of the globe and became famous. Did you know that Shakira means Grateful in Arabic? She has established a foundation to foster education and more for orphans all over the Americas!
The illustrations by Laura Diez are fun, simple, colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
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!

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 cute little book here is about Shakira, the Latin American icon. She’s considered the Queen of Latin music and is known and admired everywhere in the world. Shakira is an example not only of what a great singer is but also of a kind-hearted person because of the foundation she started to help children in Colombia, her native country.

I love the Little People, Big Dreams series. This was a good one- I enjoyed learning the life story of such a global popstar. I think the strongest part of this series is the backmatter with real photographs. Sometimes I do wonder why they choose to have certain phrases or details about the person (such as "met the future father of her two sons" but they do not name him), but I'm sure the author does a lot of research prior to publishing.

This was an interesting look into Shakira's life. I think kids will enjoy learning how she began performing and writing at a very young age and mixing different music cultures and traditions from around the world, and perhaps be inspired to make some music of their own.

I did find the illustrations rather off-putting. I'm not sure exactly why, but something about how the people's bodies were drawn made them seem oddly contorted. I did like the colors used.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Quarto, and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing an early copy for review.

Shakira, who is known for her hips dancing, also catchy music, was born in Colombia. She loves music, dancing, poems, and also orphans. Although she has many talents, her parents taught her to share with other kids who need the love. Another encouragement through a book written by Ms. Vegara, about a girl who strives to be the best.

If you had told me I would one day be reading Shakira's biography targeted at children 20 years ago, I wouldn't have believed you, but let's face it, it's Shakira and I should have known better.

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books through NetGalley.
Part of the Little People, Big Dreams biography series.
Readers meet Shakira as a child who discovers how much music and rhythm speak to her. She learns to write her own poems and songs and creates her own unique Latin music style. With perseverance, she becomes a well known performer who reaches people all over the globe. Her belief in herself and her music is inspiring to elementary level readers.

Shakira

Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara has told the best story of Shakira. Taking Shakira's life, including her diverse upbringing to the forefront. Shakira's book of the Little People, Big Dreams series is not only inclusive but funny. I love the addition of how her classmates reacted to her dance routine.

Also, I personally had no idea she had a foundation for children. Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara adds such touching moments of Shakira's young life but also moments that propelled her into stardom. How awesome will it be for that young child, with a "different" name chosen for them for its beautiful meaning feel knowing that Shakira's name also means something else? They will have more pride in their name and be more confident.

That's why these stories are so important to share and forever grateful to Sanchez Vegara for taking the time to write them.

Teaching children who read this book that you cannot give up with you truly love something. You may not find success, in the case of this story, right away. But if it's something you love and you keep at it, it might all work out. Another reason why I continue to love the Little People, Big Dreams series, the lessons are universal.

Many people know Shakira for her popular songs and dance skills. But I personally didn't know much more about her than that. This book was a wonderful, colorful experience following Skakira as she grew up loving music and dancing. Although her first couple of albums didn't become hits, she kept trying. I appreciated the emphasis she had on giving back to others by creating a foundation for kids, as well as incorporating lots of different kinds of music into her own.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book to review.

I opened this book not knowing very much about Shakira and I found that there was quite a bit of information about her music and dancing told with straight forward language and accompanied by cute pictures. I also appreciated the bio at the end of the story. I would definitely buy this for a child.

My daughter and I absolutely loved this book! As a 30-something, I am familiar with Shakira and her music. My seven-year-old daughter did not know her prior to reading this book, but that did not stop her from enjoying it. We loved reading about Shakira and I appreciated how the book wasn't focused on her looks or even her music career, but more about Shakira as a person and how she impacts the community. In addition to a great narrative, we loved the bright, colorful illustrations. This book is fantastic for any child.