Just as I was initially unfamiliar with Wilma Rudolph, the name Mary Kom was also new to me. Boxing, as a sport, has always seemed intense and daunting to me—one that I prefer to watch from a safe distance, holding my breath and hoping no one gets hurt. It’s a physically demanding sport, and when it’s two women in the ring, it feels even more intense, though not out of any doubt in their ability. Mary Kom stands as a legendary figure in this arena, a trailblazer who shattered records across both women's and men's divisions, demonstrating the strength and resilience of women on a global stage.

This book about Mary Kom is another fantastic read that I hope will inspire young readers to explore sports and try new challenges. Mary Kom’s journey shows that even when something feels insurmountable, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give it our best shot. Her determination and achievements remind us that impossible dreams are often just big dreams waiting for someone to go after them. A wonderful and empowering story for any young person who wants to explore their potential and break boundaries, no matter how big the odds may seem.

You know the drill by now, I really enjoy the Little People, BIG DREAMS series, especially when I learn about someone I've never heard before and this was the case with Mary Kom. And she has a really inspiring story. I also liked that the art was different and fun and a play on children's drawings type of illustration.

At times the story was too fast paced and I felt like some things were glossed over. I know going into details is not the best for kids, but there was room for more, at least in the written biography part - this time it was almost word by word as the main story, without adding anything extra about Mary Kom.

I love this series, and this was no different! Love the illustrations and all the examples from Mary Kom's life! Definitely learned a lot about her and her childhood and progression into fame!

My family and I are obsessed with the Little People Big Dreams series, and having another title to add to our collection is always an exciting day in our home. Mary Kom is such a perfect addition, as she is an incredibly inspiring athlete. My daughters were so excited to read about a female boxer, who didn't let others' opinions of her get in her way, even when that person was her dad! We cannot wait to get a physical copy into our home library!

Mary Kom by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara books must be one of the best little books to purchase for children, these are the best-selling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

So, this latest book is about Mary Kom you discover the life of Mary Kom, one of the world's greatest boxers.

Mary grew up in a village in north-east India. Her family had very little and there was no money for toys, so she entertained herself by playing sports and running outside. When Mary discovered boxing, she knew it was the sport for her. Yet some people weren't so sure, including her dad. He thought boxing was just for boys. But by training hard and believing in herself, Mary showed that she belonged in the ring. She won six world championships and became known as 'Magnificent Mary'. Alongside winning medals, she opened a boxing academy for budding young athletes, became a member of parliament and campaigned for animals’ rights. In 2020 she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, one of the highest accolades in India.

This powerful book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the award-winning boxer's life.

I am so glad these books are being published and I highly recommend all of these books

Many thanks to Quarto’s Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having admired Mary Kom for years and read her autobiography, I couldn't resist reading this book from the Little People, Big Dreams series. I do feel that a lot of information could be added differently to leave a more lasting impact on young readers.

The perfect little book to help make young girls believe anything is possible. A perfect Christmas gift!

Another book in the Little People Big Dreams series, this time exploring the life of Olympian Mary Kom. I didn't know anything about Mary before reading this book, however this book provided a well-written snapshot into her life - perfectly pitched at the young audience the series is aimed at. A perfect subject matter to show young people that perseverance and courage can help make dreams come true.

Illustrations are in a different style this time round, but equally as beautiful.

The little people big dreams series is always so great, and we love LOVE seeing female athletes and people of color represented in literature, especially for small kids! I will absolutely be able to hand sell this title.

Part of the critically acclaimed series Little People, BIG DREAMS, comes the edition that celebrates the life of India’s most widely known and awarded female boxer, Mary Kom.

The author, Vegara charts how Kom was always interested in sports, right from her school days, but had trouble finding acceptance for her sport achievements among her peers and family. Hearing about Dingko Singh, a boxer who won the gold medal at the Asian Games, Kim finds herself intrigued and finds herself a gym to train as a boxer.

Keeping it a secret from her family initially, to being crowned a world champion at age of nineteen, Kom was living her dream. After giving birth to twins following her marriage, Kom trained hard to fight her way back to the ring and the podium, where at the 2012 Olympics, she won a bronze medal for her country.

Inspiring, of course, but with a touch of sensitivity where Vegara highlights the setbacks that a woman in sports might face — Kom’s family worried that no one would want to marry a girl who can box and therefore, initially, dissuaded her but later came around because of her skill and dedication to the sport, brings up the discussion of treating women athletes equally as men inside the ring and out of.

At 18 pages, Vegara’s writing — clean and succinct without any bells and whistles bridges that gap between children and pop culture, especially in an age where they are bombarded with information. Illustrated by Jen Khatun, the book deftly compliments the text.

Mary is the second Indian featured in the list, after Gandhi, of course, and while her story may leave readers wanting more, here is hoping that she is not the last Indian on the list for a while.

Mary Kom is another children’s biography by Little People, BIG DREAMS. Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrated by Jen Khatun, this book features the story of Kom’s life, her many boxing achievements and her passions, such as animal rights. This biography is a must read for all children.

I wasn't familiar with Mary Kom, and I appreciate how far Little People Big Dreams is reaching to expose people like me to these stories. Mary is inspiring and I love that her family supported her when she worried they wouldn't.

I read most of the books from the Little People, Big Dreams series because it is so much fun to read about famous people from a child’s perspective. It’s definitely easier but it also reflects on things that we often forget to look into as adults - where they come from, how their family or childhood was instead of focusing on achievements alone.

Cutely done illustrations of Mary Kom’s life - perfect for kids to get a little glimpse into her life.

Born in northeast India, Mary's athletic abilities were largely ignored until she decided to train for boxing to enter the Asian Games and even the Olympics. She personifies the adage that believing in yourself and having "courage can turn big dreams into victories."
The illustrations by Jen Khatun are simple, colorful, and expressive.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group/Frances Lincoln Children's Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
@QuartoKids @CBCBook @Frances_Lincoln #LittlePeopleBIG DREAMS @sanchezvegara #Boxing @TheQuartoGroup #OlympicMedalist @MangteC #illustratorJenKhatun #MaryKom #NetGalley

I actually hadn't heard of Mary Kom before reading this so it was a nice introduction. This book has lovely illustrations, pictures and a timeline of Mary's life that I found very engaging and informative. I really liked getting to know more about a very inspiring woman and I think this would be a great read for young girls

First, I'd like to shout out the author, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vergara, the illustrator, Jen Khatun, the publisher, Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital copy of this short children's picture book/biography of the athlete Mary Kom. The illustrations are very artful and the color schemes very pleasant and cozy. The story starts with her as a young girl in India, and follows her career as an athlete, wife, Olympain medal winner, mother, and philanthropist. She is a very commendable woman and a role model for young children, and I'm glad that this cute little biography will introduce young readers to Mary Kom. At the end, there are real pictures and a timeline of Mary Kom's life included to give more contedt into her story. I think kids will really appreciate being able to see pictures of the real person after reading the story and connecting with her as a person. I think the cover is cute and representative of the content and will draw in young readers!

Another great book in a fantastic series of books!
I have to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure who Mary Kom is,.so I went in completely blind with this one.
Well firstly, she is a very inspiring lady - not only to young women in particular, but also to others in her culture - she stopped at nothing and got exactly where she wanted to be.
Great read - I honestly these books

With thanks to the author, publishers Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This is another fantastic instalment in the Little People Big Dreams series, which is always a firm favourite of mine and my family.

The story’s message is once again a positive one for young readers. Mary was always a sporty child, but only took up boxing at the age of 15 after being inspired by the success of another Indian boxer. Despite resistance from her family and others who didn’t agree with the idea of women in boxing, she persisted and, through her hard work and determination, had great success at the world amateur level and even won a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. She also became a member of the Indian parliament where she again championed the idea of women in sports, and opened a boxing academy to help other young girls to achieve their dreams just like she did.

The mini-biography of Mary (complete with a timeline) at the end of the book is a great resource for young readers to cement the facts learned in the book, and offers advice on how to learn more about Mary.

Top marks as always, and I look forward to reading more of the series.

I am twenty something years old, and safe to say Mary Kom is an inspiration to women and athletes everywhere! I didn't know about her before reading this book, so I can't speak to how well the book tells her history but the story is amazing and inspiring. Little girls getting to read about her will know that they can be anything they want to be by reading her story!

The Little People, Big Dreams biography book series is a fun and informative reading experience. This book on Mary Kom introduced me to someone I was not aware of before. It was fun reading about Mary Kom and her experience as a female boxer. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.