Jane Austen by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book lovers would definitely know who Jane Austen is, may they have read one or several of her works or not. All of her novels have movie adaptations already, therefore people are more aware of her and her writings. In this Little People, Big Dreams' installment, those who are not familiar with Jane Austen's life story will now have a brief chance to read about her. I didn't know that her own love story didn't prosper and this gave her an idea to write a similar story.

One of the notable lessons that young readers will get from this children's book is if you set your heart into something, you will achieve it as long as you have the dedication to do it just like Jane Austen's hope to be a writer someday. Another great message is that turn the negative into positive or try to make something good from a setback.

Jane Goodall by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jane Goodall's dedication to anthropology and respect to animals, especially to chimpanzees, is a great influence to everyone, notably to the young readers of this children's storybook. Her passion and dedication to fulfill her dream to study animals are also quite inspiring. Despite that she can't afford to go to a university, she did everything she can to accomplish her goals even to this day.

A beautiful person, inside and out, Jane Goodall is one of the role models that young kids should look up to. Her vision to set awareness on the African jungles starting to disappear, and the protection of the wildlife animals and their natural habitat are the vital information that this book wants to impart to all readers. Undoubtedly, this is another great book in the Little People, Big Dreams book series that parents and teachers should grab for their children and students.

Anne Frank by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Diary of Anne Frank is the very first book about the Holocaust that I've read when I was still young. I was already in my adolescence years when I read it and her life story made an impact on me. When I saw that the Little People, Big Dreams has dedicated a children's story book about this remarkable young lady, I immediately grabbed the chance to check it out.

I love how this particular book is different from the other book in the series because of how it was vividly illustrated by Sveta Dorosheva. The images of Anne Frank, her family, and Adolf Hitler was drawn in detailed, and looking at them is like seeing their real photos. The story of Anne Frank was also beautifully summarized and narrated by Isabel Sanchez Vegara. This children's storybook is a great introduction to discuss to young readers about what is the Holocaust and what happened during World War II.

Harriet Tubman by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Even though Little People, Big Dreams is a children's storybook, I'm a fan of this series because it's not only eye-catching and entertaining to read, but it is quite informative. And who says that children's storybooks are for young kids only, right?

I never knew who Harriet Tubman is but through this picture book, I learned about how an important person she is in freeing slave people and standing up for equal rights for her fellow African-Americans. Her story tells us that we should fight for what we believe and to never give up to achieve what we dream. Educational material and also an inspirational, not only for young readers but also for adults.

Georgia O'Keeffe by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to this brilliant children's book series, I was introduced to the marvelous artworks by Georgia O'Keeffe. I was not aware who she is but through this picture book intended for kids, I discover how great an artist she is. Also, her dream of showing to the world that beauty is all around us, even in a tiny flower, sets an inspiration to everyone, This is another lovely story in the series that will be cherished by both young and adult readers.

Joy by Corrinne Averiss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fern and on how she wants to collect all the "joy" in the world and give back it to her Nanna, her grandmother, will touch anyone who reads this astounding story. Those colorful illustrations done by Isabelle Follath are very eye-catching also.

The collaboration of the author, Corrinne Averiss, and the illustrator made this book simply amazing because the story and drawings truly connect with each other. I'm a young adult and has no children of own, but I'm quite fond of reading children's story because of how they exude positivity and will leave you smiling after reading. And I hope that the story of "Joy" may also bring happiness to anyone who will read it.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I came across this when I was checking out last year about the upcoming Disney movies. Based on the synopsis, it was based on the award-winning children's book written by Katherine Applegate and famous actors will be the voice of the characters in the story. I scheduled to read this on the very first day of 2019 and I was really delighted that I made this my first read of the year.

I didn't expect that this was quite good and hopefully the movie adaptation will be as great just like the book. I know that Ivan's story will make an impact on anyone who will either read this or those who will go watch the film because of how heartwarming and it is an eye-opener to wildlife animal preservation.

This is a light read and I'm pretty excited to see this is the big screen; I'll just need to be prepared once the sorrowful parts are shown because I was teary-eyed when I've read those in the book. I want a lot of people to be aware to take care and be the voice of all animals, either domesticated or wildlife, hence, I highly recommend this to everyone.

Manga Classics: Romeo and Juliet by Stacy King

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm a fan of the Manga Classics that's why I'm already aware that the publisher, Udon Entertainment, always use the original text from the book they were adapting. I know Romeo and Juliet but I still haven't read the book either watch any stage play or movie adaptation, hence, I'm eager to check out this manga adaptation.

This is the first time that I've rated a Manga Classics low because of it's not that easy to comprehend what the characters are saying because they are in Early Modern English. Just like what I've mentioned, I'm fully aware that the publisher never makes any alterations to the dialogues because they use the original format. I could understand some of the conversations in the story however, I fail to grasp several parts. Thankfully, I still got to follow the story through the illustrations.

If there would be any future plans of Udon Entertainment to adapt other works of William Shakespeare, hopefully, they will try to make the dialogues easy to understand because I'm positive that it will be more marketable even to middle-graders.

Blood Will Out by Jo Treggiari

My rating: 1 of 5 stars

The animal torture and abuse part were just some of the biggest disappointment, hence I didn't finish reading this book. There's no outstanding character or part in the story that will awe readers, and the flow of the story is too dragging and quite common. Ari, the main character, is irksome and her point of view is too bland; the conversation between the characters is also quite annoying to read.

I had high hopes before reading this because I was really intrigued by the synopsis; I even pushed myself on finishing it but I just can't seem to find any sense of why should I do it. I should not have set any expectations just because of how I love reading young adult fiction and just because of the plot of the story.

The Golden Maple Tree by Marc Remus

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the Magora Series, The Golden Maple Tree, continues the adventure of Holly and her friends in the magical world of Magora. When I was given the chance to read the first and second installment in this series, I can't help but compare it to the Chronicles of Narnia and the Harry Potter series, much more to the latter.

When I've read the term "Unfinished" in this second installment, I reckon that the author's inspirations are the Muggle-born and the dementors in the Harry Potter series ; I distinguished a lot of similarities or sort of influence from J.K. Rowling's re-known book series. Holly O' Flanigan reminds me of Harry because their life story is quite the same and that they have friends who help them through thick and thin. Not to mention that their personalities are pretty much similar because of how determined they are on helping, even if their safety is at stake.

Although that there might have some resemblances to other novels, the books in the Magora series still has its own identity and a quite surprising middle-grade series that will readers find really enjoyable.