Not my usual genre, but after this weeks news… solidarity sister! I honestly love the little people big dreams series, and I’m sad this one fell a little short. It came across more like an advertisement of Shakira’s charity work than informative, like maya Angelou’s was in the series. I wish we had learned more about Shakira’s music career and the hurdles she had to face.. I recommend anyway as the illustrations are beautiful and it’s a fun, lighthearted read for every age.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

Received for review: I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review, nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.

Why did I decide to turn the pages? I have enjoyed previous books by Maria, and I was Interested in this one as well.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: Maria does a great job of distilling a lot of information quickly. For readers who prefer non-fiction, these are great short snapshots of individuals from a variety of backgrounds, professionally and demographically.

This one was not my favorite by Maria, but it was still well done. I can see kids, especially girls, who are interested in singing and music, particularly, gravitating toward this one.

I enjoy Maria's illustration style. It's not as flashy as some, and is a bit more muted, but I enjoy it.

So why 3 stars? While I did enjoy it, I have read better in the genre.

Pages: about 32.

Reading age: 4-7

It's a really interesting read, assuming it's all true. It of course focuses on all the good. But the illustrations really kill it for me. It makes Shakira look really bad. I'm not sure how those drawings got approved.

Shakira is the latest addition to the Little People, Big Dreams series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. I have read so many of these children's books now and really enjoyed this one as I was a big fan of Shakira when I was younger. I think I drove my parents mad playing her Laundry Service album when I lived at home! I did not know about her work with disadvantaged youth and enjoyed learning about her early life in Colombia. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Shakira by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vergara is a straightforward biography for kids. It is simple yet well done for its target audience. I like how the author and illustrator can work together to showcase the beauty of culture. Specifically, we learn about Shakira's Columbian-Lebanese background and how it influenced her music and life. We also get to see Shakira grow up over time which allows us to know more about her parents and their involvement in her life and musical journey. Additionally, the illustrations add a lot to the book and its ability to be simplistic but well done. These illustrations do well in reeling in the reader which is especially needed for kids. So, if you have kids let them enjoy an inspirational and beautifully illustrated biography about Shakira and the importance of drive, passion, grit, and familial love.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book. As with every other book I’ve read from this series this one is amazing. There is so much to learn in every book and the level is perfect for younger children.

You can’t go wrong with the Little People, Big Dreams books. As important for adults as they are for children, as a huge Shakira fan this taught me new information about her & gave guidance into how she became the superstar she is.

Shakira has been added to the Little People, Big Dream series. I loved this book and the many different cultural concepts it introduced from Shakira's life. A nice easy book with beautiful illustrations to introduce Shakira to children.

Love this series of Little People, Big Dreams, and I love that Shakira has got her book!! Very colourful, fun and informative.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for letting e access this book in exchange for my feedback.

This book has beautiful, colorful artwork. The narrative introduces Barranquilla, where Shakira grew up loving music and the culture she was exposed to throughout her successful career. This book touches on the origins of her music. I love the accessible nature of how her story is talked about and the ending, which emphasizes Shakira's ongoing legacy.

Shakira is a cute book, the illustrations are great and it’s a fun way to teach children not to give up on your dreams and to also be a good person. I thought it was great to add a section in the back a little more appropriate for adults to learn more bout her as well.

Little People Big Dreams books are great additions to any classroom, staff and pupils love them.
Shakira’s Little People Big Dreams book is the perfect example of why. To most she is a pop singer. That is all. But after you learn about her journey to become that pop singer and how she uses her fame for good she becomes more than just a pop singer. She becomes an inspiration.

This story is an inspiring story to those who love dancing and singing. It empowers them to believe in their talents but also aspire to be good people at the same time. It is a welcome addition to our "little people, big dreams" collection.

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

#Shakira #NetGalley

Here is a new entry in the popular series that features people from all walks of life and tells their stories from when they were young until they achieved their dreams as adults. As is generally true with this fine series, text and illustration join together as readers learn about this entertainer. Some interesting things that kids will discover include the meaning of Shakira’s name, why her father wore dark glasses, how many kinds of music she performed and what Shakira promised to do one day.

This book will be a welcome addition to the Little Folks, Big Dreams collection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

This is a cute book about Shakira. It is great for learning about her and is really easy to read. I recommend this book.

My daughter knows who Shakira is because of her music. She was excited to pull this one up to read. The Little People Big Dreams series does a great job sharing the stories of influential people in age appropriate ways. We always walk away knowing more about someone, and holding the truth that all people experience challenges.

This will make a great addition to a personal or classroom library!

The publisher made a copy of this book available to review, this is my honest opinion.

I love these little people, big dreams books for children. I buy them all the time for my nieces and nephews. As always, the art is simple but cute and bright. I really loved the diversity of the children in this book, I think that's a really big positive. I did not expect a kids book to teach me something, but I had no idea that Shakira has a charity to help Latinx children. What a wonderful addition to the little people, big dreams series.

I love this book!
This is a nice way for young children to learn about Shakiras life!
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book!

This children's book provides a very brief biography of the singer Shakira. The book is very surface level providing brief snippets of information over drawings. The illustrations were a bit odd. In every single depiction she looks short and fat. Shakira is short but she has never been fat. I also laughed very hard at the fact the book chose to focus on there charitable contributions when she is actively under investigation for tax fraud in several countries.

Yet another book in the Little People, Big Dreams series  - this one tells the story of Shakira! How she grew up loving belly dancing and the stage (much to the annoyance of her classmates, at times!) and how she started to play guitar and write poems to help her family heal.  Shakira also wanted to be a good person in addition to being successful and made a promise to herself that she would help the orphans.  Once she found some success with her music after she released a few albums, she started a foundation to help bring education to those in her hometown as well as Hispanic children all over the Americas. This is a wonderful story of perseverance and success told in such a way that it would inspire any child!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.