I’ve never heard of this artist & this book is very well written and informative. I loved the illustrations except it focuses on her culture & her escape from Japan but the illustration of her doesn’t reflect what she actually looked like.

It was a joy to read otherwise.

Love the little people big dreams series. This book explores the life of artist Yayoi Kusama in a way that is appealing and approachable by kids. It is a great resource for introducing children to famous people they would not otherwise be exposed to. And as always, the art is wonderful.

Lovely as always though i did feel this was perhaps less informative than others in the series I have read. I did enjoy how dots wre incorporated into the illustrations throughout the book.

I was fascinated by this artist! I liked the way her struggles, both in terms of her career and her mental illness, were discussed in an accessible way. This will start a lot of conversations and hopefully inspire others.

I haven't been to a Yayoi Kusama exhibit yet so this was the next best thing. Enjoyed following her story as an artist in this simplified version. Like many of the Little People, BIG DREAMS books, this one has beautiful art, easy-to-understand, storytelling, and great layout. Would love a physical copy!

A short introduction to Yayoi Kusama’s life and her art. The story is told twice, first as an illustrated story then as a two page spread with photos. The illustrations are well done but I felt the book was too short to do the themes justice. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I knew briefly of Yayoi Kusama's style, but had no idea about her life and story. This is a great introduction to the artist and her biography. I absolutely loved the way the illustrator showed Kusama's work and style. I think this book also opens up some great conversations about mental health for kiddos, while keeping the tone light and approachable.

Thanks to NetGalley, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, and Quarto Publishing for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

This was another well done book by Little People Big Dreams. I did not know a lot about Yayoi Kusama so it is a nice introduction to her life. The author did a great job touching upon depression and describing it in a kid friendly way. I would recommend that this book is in every elementary classroom library.

For people who like: non-fiction children's books about art

First sentence: "In Matsumoto, a Japanese city surrounded by mountains, lived a family who grew and sold flowers."

In five words: colorful - artist - Japan - dots - infinity

Positive points: This children's book is a very good starting point for children and adults alike to become familiar with the life and work of the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Although it's rather brief (which is logical since it's a picture book), it does a good job in giving an overview of some important moments in her life and of the art which made her famous. While the author doesn't avoid heavy themes (like difficult childhood, depression, psychiatry) they are handled well and not too much in detail. This book is above all a celebration of the colorful creativity of Yayoi Kusama.

Negative points: As this was an interesting read, I just wanted to know more and more and more. So, the book was too short, but in a good way.
Even though the illustrations aren't 100% to my personal taste, I do think they're perfect for this book: they're as colorful as Yayoi's art and form a perfect complementation to the story.

More info: Almost every page will make an interested reader curious to look things up. For me that was the case with among others: Nihonga (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihonga), Georgia O'Keeffe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_O%27Keeffe), Infinity Nets (https://insights.masterworks.com/art/artists/what-is-the-meaning-of-yayoi-kusamas-infinity-nets/), ...
The first time I heard of Yayoi Kusama was during a trip to Denmark, where I was Lucky enough to see her infinity room "Gleaming Lights of the Souls" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sVxo67sAd4) at the museum of modern art Louisiana. More about infinity rooms and about different artists who make them, can be found in my blog article (where a big part is dedicated to Yayoi Kusama): https://world-of-tau.blogspot.com/2021/07/infinity-rooms.html

Rating: 4,5* rounded up as this book captured the soul of Yayoi Kusama's art really well

Publication date: 04.02.2025

*Thanks to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kusama once had an exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden that I was fortunate enough to experience. It offered visitors a colorful and enjoyable walk through the grounds. So, I knew a bit about Kusama before picking up this title. I am delighted that kids will have the chance to learn about the artist through this latest in the excellent Little People, Big Dreams series.

Kids will find out why Kusama loved dots so very much. They will also see how she truly persisted in order to have the life that SHE, and not her parents, wanted for her. Reading this, kids will find out what famous artist inspired Yayoi who grew up to be an artist who has delighted so many.

Note that this book delicately comments on Yayoi's experience of depression.

The illustrations in this book are delightful. They nicely add to the experience of reading the text.

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

Big Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the advanced copy!!!

'Yayoi Kusama' is a book of the 'Little People, Big Dreams' series that introduces kids to important figures.

The book is very colourful and a fun read, with cute character drawings and bright colours.

As a fan of the artist, I have read her story before and so I've found the book true to the original, and I could see that it would be easy for a kid to understand it as well.

However, I am not sure if it will keep the kids entertained enough to care, as it is quite short. But, I would definitely buy a copy to gift to my family.

What a lovely children's book! I had the absolute pleasure of seeing some of Yayoi Kusama's art at the SF MOMA, but even after that experience I knew very little about her. I loved how this book addressed her difficult upbringing and her mental health struggles and did not omit or shy away from these unpleasant aspects of life. I thought this was handled very well and appropriately for a child audience and there is some more explanation in the back to provide additional context (I assume for a parent/adult figure).
The artwork and artistic choices were also lovely! I especially liked how Yayoi herself was depicted throughout her life. Also the colors and dots! A great way to bring a taste of her art to kids.
Overall a lovely book and I got to learn more about an artist I myself have enioyed.

As a big fan of Yayoi Kusama, I was very happy to learn that one of my favorite children's book collections is about to release an illustrated biography of her. I'm talking about the collection "Little People, Big Dreams".

After having read a graphic novel about Yayoi, this one directed to an adult audience, it was very satisfying to be able to now show a little of the history of this great Japanese artist through a book more suitable for my son (and I've been looking for a children's book about her for some time now).

The illustrations are very beautiful and cute, as well as colorful and eye-catching, as we would only expect from a book that narrates the life of Yayoi Kusama. But I think it has the greatest merit of capturing the essence of Kusama's desire to become an artist, despite all the discouragement from her family.

This part in particular made my son say the following words: "How sad this story is, Mommy." But I told him that the story wouldn't be sad forever, and we continued reading. My son was amazed by Yayoi's great dream of becoming an artist, and I could see his eyes widen when we got to the part where Georgia O'Keeffe responds to Yayoi, still aspiring to have her name recognized.

Another thing that, in our case, as descendants of Japanese, I think is really cool, is the possibility of showing my son that there are very successful artists who are yellow like us. It's a concern I have in my son's education, to show representation and racial literacy.

I know that the book manages to convey the message very well, because I also have a four-year-old at home, who, like most, I believe, loves to draw. But as soon as we finished reading, I showed him photos of some of Yayoi's works and talked about the installations, and he didn't just want to draw. My son specifically asked for brushes and paints, because he wanted to paint "like Yayoi." And so we went, literally getting to work. This is how I can tell you that reading worked very well here at home, and why I highly recommend reading it. For parents who are not yet familiar with Yayoi's work, this is also a great opportunity. After all, here at home, I always learn a lot from the children's books that I read to my son.

A new addition to the Little People Big Dreams series, examining artist Yayoi Kusama. I know her art, but not her back story, so I was interested to read this brief synopsis. I wasn't disappointed, it a perfectly pitched at children, and is the most beautifully illustrated book in the series in my opinion - the spots throughout echoing Kusama's art. The brief touch on mental illness was well covered for the target audience.

I am thrilled that the Little People, BIG DREAMS children's biography series is publishing a book on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. This is a well written, wonderfully illustrated introduction to Kusama's life and art, perfect for young readers.

It was nice to be reminded of the brilliant Kusama and introduce her to my child.
This is a well-written picture biography of Kusama aimed at children.
The design matches the art of Kusama and the book is a wonderful introduction to Kusama’s art with messages for children.

This artist was new to me, but what a beautiful little biography. Yayoi knew from when she was young that she was creative and she wanted to express her own style. Her parents never supported that, and to make things even more difficult, Yayoi had mental health struggles throughout her life, too. But none of this stopped her from creating many beautiful works of art and finding her own style.
This book is aimed at very young readers, and the text is simple to read. The pictures are cute, but the best thing is how the illustrator incorporates Yayoi Kusama's style into her illustrations. I loved this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

I had never known about Yayoi Kusama before reading this picture book. I loved the illustrations and its nod to her artwork. It handled the topic of mental health issues sensitively.

This simple and accessible biography touches on so many themes in so few words. Reading it is like getting a tiny bite of an intriguing story, leaving you hungry for more. I suspect many readers will go on to read other books about the amazing Yayoi Kusama, and they will search to find her brilliant art. I liked how the issue of mental health was dealt with in a forthright way, and how it was made clear that Yayoi's mental health challenges also gave her extraordinary creative ability. The biographer handles Yayoi's troubled childhood with matter-of-fact empathy.
This book will appeal to young readers who feel that they are different, and also to readers who are passionate about art. Many young readers will find themselves in these pages.

Book Overview: Yayoi Kusama by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Part of the beloved Little People, BIG DREAMS series, this inspiring children’s biography introduces readers to Yayoi Kusama, one of the most influential contemporary artists in the world. Through vibrant illustrations and accessible storytelling, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara captures Kusama’s unique journey from a young girl with a dream to an icon who forever changed the art world.

What Makes This Book Special?
Empowering Storyline
Kusama’s life story is one of perseverance, creativity, and embracing individuality. The book emphasizes her courage to follow her artistic passion despite societal expectations and personal struggles, offering an uplifting message for young readers.

Mental Health Awareness
The book tactfully addresses Kusama's experiences with mental health challenges, highlighting her bravery in speaking openly about them. This portrayal helps normalize conversations about mental health for children in an age-appropriate way.

Captivating Illustrations
The quirky and colorful artwork mirrors the vibrant and surreal style of Kusama’s own creations, helping young readers connect with her artistic vision.

Engaging Extras
At the end of the book, readers will find a biographical timeline, historical photos, and additional facts about Kusama's life and career. These details deepen the learning experience, making the book an excellent resource for educators and parents alike.

Key Themes
Creativity and Self-Expression
Kusama’s story celebrates the power of art as a means to express individuality and emotions.
Resilience
Despite facing obstacles—including her family’s disapproval and struggles with mental health—Kusama persevered, ultimately achieving global recognition.
Breaking Boundaries
From her immersive installations to her public art, Kusama challenged the norms of the art world and redefined what art could be.
Why Kids Will Love It
Relatable Childhood
Kusama’s love of art as a child mirrors the experiences of many young readers who enjoy drawing, painting, and dreaming.
Whimsical Dots and Colors
Her fascination with dots and endless patterns is both playful and intriguing, sparking imagination.
A Role Model for Dreamers
Kusama’s story shows kids that embracing their uniqueness can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Who Is This Book For?
Young readers (ages 4–10) who enjoy inspiring true stories.
Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking diverse role models to share with children.
Fans of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series looking to expand their collection.
Final Thoughts
The Yayoi Kusama installment of Little People, BIG DREAMS is a vibrant and inspiring tribute to an artist who dared to see the world differently. By celebrating Kusama’s life and achievements, this book not only educates but also encourages children to dream big, embrace creativity, and find strength in their uniqueness.

Rating: 5/5
A beautiful, empowering addition to any child’s library.