Muhammad Ali

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Brosmind (Illustrator)

Overview

Now in paperback! In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the incredible life of Muhammad Ali, "the greatest" boxer of all time.

When he was little, Muhammad Ali had his bicycle stolen. He wanted to fight the thief, but a policeman told him him to learn how to box first. After training hard in the gym, Muhammad developed a strong jab and an even stronger work ethic. His smart thinking and talking earned him the greatest title in boxing: Heavyweight Champion of the World. This moving 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 Greatest's" life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling biography series for kids that explores 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.

This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover and paperback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.
 
Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780711284432
Publisher:	Frances Lincoln Children's Books
Publication date:	01/03/2023
Series:	Little People, BIG DREAMS Series , #21
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	367,685
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 10.05(h) x 0.45(d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children’s books. In 2014, she created a book for her two twin nieces for their birthday, which shortly thereafter became the first book in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. This multimillion-copy bestselling series of picture books explores the lives of outstanding people. From Mahatma Gandhi to Aretha Franklin, to Prince, Sánchez Vegara researches complex careers and makes them accessible to young children, with her unique and mindful style of writing. She works with a diverse team of illustrators to make each book lively, eye-catching and motivating. Working for more than fifteen years for clients in top advertising agencies, her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture. ​

BROSMIND are the Mingarro brothers, Juan (1978) and Alejandro (1981). They spent their childhood drawing comics, building vehicles for their action figures and shooting movies on home video cameras. In 2006, they founded Brosmind studio in Barcelona. Their style is fresh and optimistic, using fantasy and humor. Currently they combine commercial illustration with personal projects involving multiple disciplines, such as sculpture, music, or video. They have won many awards, including six Cannes Lions.

Editorial Reviews

Winter 2018

K-Gr 2—This look at Muhammad Ali, an inspiring athlete and civic activist, starts off with his childhood. Cassius Clay, as he was then known, was a young boy from Kentucky who always knew he would be successful. One day, his brand-new bicycle was stolen. He wanted to face the thief, but the police officer suggested that he first learn how to fight, and so Cassius discovered the sport of boxing. Though he wasn't the strongest fighter, he had a secret weapon: he was faster than anyone else. Cassius worked hard and proved himself in the ring, eventually winning an Olympic gold medal. However, the honor was not enough—he wanted to become a professional boxer. This young man with a dream became the most successful boxer in history. The illustrations will engage young readers and the inviting text will delight sports fans and those interested in other important historical figures. VERDICT An excellent introduction to the biography genre for young students.—Annette Herbert, F.E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY

School Library Journal

2018-10-15

This brief biographical sketch of the late boxer Muhammad Ali highlights his sports personality and activism.

Cassius was confident from a young age, this book tells readers. When someone stole his bike, he told a police officer he wanted to face the thief. The officer suggested Cassius take boxing classes, and he did. With speed as his secret weapon, he dominated the junior boxing scene, winning an Olympic gold medal in Rome. From there, he went on to train for the world heavyweight championship. "To tease his opponents, Cassius often used rhymes, describing how he was going to win. Some thought it was trash-talk, but it sounded like poetry…and it worked!" Dedicated spreads show Ali's victory against Sonny Liston, his speaking up for African-Americans' rights, his conversion to Islam and name change, his conscientious objection to the Vietnam War and the professional consequences he suffered because of it, his amazing comeback, and his charity work toward the end of his life. Playful, stylized cartoon illustrations of people with curved limbs and round lips center Ali, often pictured as an oversized figure, surrounded by scenes that influenced him and groups representing the many people he influenced.

An amazing life effectively condensed into picture-book form, this makes a nice introduction to the greatest. (historical note, further reading) (Picture book/biography. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews