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Little People, BIG DREAMS
Little People Big Dream Billie Jean King
In this book from the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the inspiring life of Billie Jean King, the tennis star who has dedicated her life to breaking barriers both on and off the tennis court.
Billie Jean began playing tennis at the age of 11. After one of her first tennis lessons, she told her mother, "I'm going to be No. 1 in the world," a title she would come to hold five times between 1966 and 1972. Twenty years later, she is still today considered one of the most successful women in sports history. 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 amazing sportswoman's life.
Little People, BIG DREAMS is a 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.
This empowering series 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 versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games, and other fun learning tools 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!
Billie Jean began playing tennis at the age of 11. After one of her first tennis lessons, she told her mother, "I'm going to be No. 1 in the world," a title she would come to hold five times between 1966 and 1972. Twenty years later, she is still today considered one of the most successful women in sports history. 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 amazing sportswoman's life.
Little People, BIG DREAMS is a 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.
This empowering series 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 versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games, and other fun learning tools 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!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2020
About the author
Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
205 books450 followersMaria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director perhaps best known as the author of much of the Little People, Big Dreams series. Each book tells the childhood story of one of the world's female icons in an entertaining, conversational way that works well for the youngest nonfiction readers, allowing them to identify with the characters in each story.
You may find books from the "Little People BIG DREAMS" series on author page - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
You may find books from the "Little People BIG DREAMS" series on author page - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 4, 2020
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This series is always a joy to read, it’s a really nice introduction to well known people for little children. Of course the plot is always a little bit fast but that’s to be expected and it’s totally understandable.
As a fan of tennis, I already knew quite a bit about Billie Jean King, but it was still nice and fun to read about her life in this new story. She did a lot for women in sports and equality and I'm happy to see that she was included in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I believe she's a great example for children.
This series is always a joy to read, it’s a really nice introduction to well known people for little children. Of course the plot is always a little bit fast but that’s to be expected and it’s totally understandable.
As a fan of tennis, I already knew quite a bit about Billie Jean King, but it was still nice and fun to read about her life in this new story. She did a lot for women in sports and equality and I'm happy to see that she was included in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I believe she's a great example for children.
April 7, 2020
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adore this series, especially the ones about women. It´s interesting to read history about women even though its meant for kids I always learn something while reading those with my sister. This one is my favorite at the moment probably because I knew nothing of Billie Jean King before tonight.
I absolutely adore this series, especially the ones about women. It´s interesting to read history about women even though its meant for kids I always learn something while reading those with my sister. This one is my favorite at the moment probably because I knew nothing of Billie Jean King before tonight.
March 10, 2020
Ironically, I'm reading a cute little book about a strong women around International Women's Day! Not on purpose, but still totally amusing.
Billie Jean King by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a lovely little tale about the amazing tennis player Billie Jean King. We get to see her amazing story of working hard to achieve her goals to be the best tennis player she could be! She wore shorts instead of skirts, saved up her own money to buy her own supplies and worked her butt off! She won awards for her hard work, started community organizations and was just all around awesome!
My pros:
1. The pictures are soft, full of colour and memorable. I really liked how they stood out and complimented the story.
2. This book was easy to read but had strong enough language that a few age groups could easily find this book enjoyable. On top of that, I'm sure many adults can be sent into flashbacks about The Battle of the Sexes tournament that happened in the Tennis World!
3. We get to see a little girl who worked hard (gardened and did housework) to save up her money to get her first tennis racquet! Isn't it great we get to share with the kids some hard working kids books?!
4. The tennis outfits are rocking!
My cons:
1. Sometimes the soft lines of the illustrations felt like they blurred a bit, but that could be because I was on an e-reader.
Overall, this book is an absolute delight and I'd highly recommend it! Who doesn't want to watch an awesome woman do awesome things? Let's show our kids hard work pays off! Also, I would love to read the many other parts of this collection about all of the other cool people (women and men alike) who are apart of this series!
Five out of five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this amazing opportunity to pick up this lovely book!
Billie Jean King by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is a lovely little tale about the amazing tennis player Billie Jean King. We get to see her amazing story of working hard to achieve her goals to be the best tennis player she could be! She wore shorts instead of skirts, saved up her own money to buy her own supplies and worked her butt off! She won awards for her hard work, started community organizations and was just all around awesome!
My pros:
1. The pictures are soft, full of colour and memorable. I really liked how they stood out and complimented the story.
2. This book was easy to read but had strong enough language that a few age groups could easily find this book enjoyable. On top of that, I'm sure many adults can be sent into flashbacks about The Battle of the Sexes tournament that happened in the Tennis World!
3. We get to see a little girl who worked hard (gardened and did housework) to save up her money to get her first tennis racquet! Isn't it great we get to share with the kids some hard working kids books?!
4. The tennis outfits are rocking!
My cons:
1. Sometimes the soft lines of the illustrations felt like they blurred a bit, but that could be because I was on an e-reader.
Overall, this book is an absolute delight and I'd highly recommend it! Who doesn't want to watch an awesome woman do awesome things? Let's show our kids hard work pays off! Also, I would love to read the many other parts of this collection about all of the other cool people (women and men alike) who are apart of this series!
Five out of five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this amazing opportunity to pick up this lovely book!
March 8, 2020
Billie Jean King; another female star of tennis to find themselves in this wonderful series: little people, big dreams. Born into a sports loving and participating family, she liked nothing better than to be running around and competing. She had natural hand eye co-ordination and found herself a big hitter in junior softball. Realism ,was a factor in her advancement, since beyond their young mixed teams the game progressed to only boys and men competitions. Along the way she found tennis. Saving up to buy a decent racquet and sought out free lessons from a professional tennis coach.
She rapidly became the best and found her way into pursuing a career in competitive tennis. She had ambition and a desire to be the best. Her dedication in sport also taught her valuable lifeskills and would enable her to reach the very top in her sport.
In the process she challenged and changed the perceived structures where gender counted against women in areas like obtaining a college scholarship, general opportunity and equality in prize money.
She lived out her beliefs and like her sporting ambitions which she achieved Billie Jean King spoke up and made possible a more equal playing field, or tennis court for women.
A tennis hero of mine watching Wimbledon, but a champion across all she did, to ensure she not only found the means to play tennis but that others in later years would have less obsticles, discrimination and unfair systems to overcome.
She rapidly became the best and found her way into pursuing a career in competitive tennis. She had ambition and a desire to be the best. Her dedication in sport also taught her valuable lifeskills and would enable her to reach the very top in her sport.
In the process she challenged and changed the perceived structures where gender counted against women in areas like obtaining a college scholarship, general opportunity and equality in prize money.
She lived out her beliefs and like her sporting ambitions which she achieved Billie Jean King spoke up and made possible a more equal playing field, or tennis court for women.
A tennis hero of mine watching Wimbledon, but a champion across all she did, to ensure she not only found the means to play tennis but that others in later years would have less obsticles, discrimination and unfair systems to overcome.
May 4, 2020
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
FULL REVIEW HERE
The ‘My First Little People, Big Dreams’ series provides informative and inspirational biographies about people who left a mark on this earth, no matter what difficulties they have encountered.
These stories are very short, but that’s because they’re books for children, so it’s totally understandable.
I think they are a very smart and wonderful way to introduce little children to such important figures.
This little one here is about Billie Jean King, one of the most successful women in sports history. I have to admit I'm a bit of an ignorant when talking about tennis, so I knew very little about her life. Therefore, I was really curious to discover more about her achievements and battles. I think she's a very inspiring figure for kids, because her experience teaches them how important breaking barriers is.
FULL REVIEW HERE
The ‘My First Little People, Big Dreams’ series provides informative and inspirational biographies about people who left a mark on this earth, no matter what difficulties they have encountered.
These stories are very short, but that’s because they’re books for children, so it’s totally understandable.
I think they are a very smart and wonderful way to introduce little children to such important figures.
This little one here is about Billie Jean King, one of the most successful women in sports history. I have to admit I'm a bit of an ignorant when talking about tennis, so I knew very little about her life. Therefore, I was really curious to discover more about her achievements and battles. I think she's a very inspiring figure for kids, because her experience teaches them how important breaking barriers is.
March 20, 2020
This is such a cute series – I don't love them all but there are far more hits than misses. This one is definitely a hit for me. The artwork is cute, the story is inspiring, and the text gives a great overview of Billie Jean King's work. This would be a great story to read to any aspiring sports star.
March 6, 2020
Billie Jean King by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is another stellar addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series. This time, we explore the life of Billie Jean King, the tennis legend who made tremendous strides in advancing the equal rights of women in sport. As per usual, the author provides a condensed, yet thorough, account of a figure in history who will surely spark interest in even the youngest of readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens for the opportunity to read this ARC.
March 5, 2020
This author sure does a great job with this series. Presenting lot of amazing people from various background or field of expertise. You have to check out her work!
March 31, 2020
She shared a dream: to achieve equal pay and opportunities for men and women in sports.
The story of Billie Jean King Tennis player who was the first woman to be named Sports Person of the year. She loved the game of tennis and saw it as an opportunity for all. She overcame obstacles and sexism.
This book is more for grown ups and not so much younger children. I don't see a toddler enjoying this.
A Special Thank you to Quartro Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
The story of Billie Jean King Tennis player who was the first woman to be named Sports Person of the year. She loved the game of tennis and saw it as an opportunity for all. She overcame obstacles and sexism.
This book is more for grown ups and not so much younger children. I don't see a toddler enjoying this.
A Special Thank you to Quartro Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
March 7, 2020
I truly enjoy this series of biographies for kids. This particular book introduces us to Billie Jean King, world famous tennis player and activist. I enjoyed the snippets of information about her life and what she’s done for women’s tennis. I believe this is a wonderful addition to this series. I was given this ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
April 26, 2020
New in the Little People, Big Dreams series, discover the amazing life of Billie Jean King. As anyone who reads my reviews knows, I love this series and look forward to each new book as they are published. This is the story about the amazing tennis player Billie Jean King. Billie Jean was not raised in a wealthy family as most of the tennis players of the day were. Yet, in this book, we see her working hard to achieve her goals to be the best tennis player she could be. She wore shorts instead of skirts, had to work and save her own money to buy equipment and worked hard to prove she was good and deserved to be on the courts. I remember a lot about her tennis career, but this was a great way to learn a bit about her young life. She did a lot for women in sports and equality. The illustrations were once again a delight and fit in nicely with the content of the book. Loving this series as I do, I was happy to see Billie Jean King included in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I believe she's a great example for children. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. the rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
March 17, 2020
4.5/5 Great read to make kids familiar to the word equity
Little People, Big Dreams is a series of short books for children about extraordinary people who change the way we're looking at the world now. It's an enjoyable piece of non-fiction kids' literature to savor along with your tiny humans. I love biographies of people who dared to be different, and these short books are becoming one of my favorites.
I'm not an art-savvy person, so please forgive me to call this graphic style childish but I mean it in a good way only. Every page spontaneously puts a smile on my face because the illustrations remind me of all my favorite books from childhood I read with my mum.
The book Billie Jean King is significantly longer than David Bowie's book I read before. Therefore it's more appropriate for 1–2G readers or read-along with parents for younger ones (but honestly, I read it myself alone, no shame here!). I prefer it to be longer, hence more informative and compelling.
Billie Jean King first was a little girl who really loved sports and then her lifelong passion made her one of the most famous American tennis players. The story touches so important issues like sex equity, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ movement in an easy, comprehensive for children way.
I learned a lot here, and so my son. We both loved that book.
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Little People, Big Dreams is a series of short books for children about extraordinary people who change the way we're looking at the world now. It's an enjoyable piece of non-fiction kids' literature to savor along with your tiny humans. I love biographies of people who dared to be different, and these short books are becoming one of my favorites.
I'm not an art-savvy person, so please forgive me to call this graphic style childish but I mean it in a good way only. Every page spontaneously puts a smile on my face because the illustrations remind me of all my favorite books from childhood I read with my mum.
The book Billie Jean King is significantly longer than David Bowie's book I read before. Therefore it's more appropriate for 1–2G readers or read-along with parents for younger ones (but honestly, I read it myself alone, no shame here!). I prefer it to be longer, hence more informative and compelling.
Billie Jean King first was a little girl who really loved sports and then her lifelong passion made her one of the most famous American tennis players. The story touches so important issues like sex equity, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ movement in an easy, comprehensive for children way.
I learned a lot here, and so my son. We both loved that book.
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2020
I am a huge fan of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. I've started a collection for my own Littles. Each book is about one person of great achievement. As a tennis fan, naturally, I began my collection with tennis legend Billie Jean King. Billie Jean is the founder of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and helped women receive prize money equal to their male counterparts. She is a phenomenal player and activist. This wonderful series of children's biographies teaches the most important aspect of individuals recognized for courage, leadership, and great accomplishments. Children will love learning about historical figures through illustrated biographical stories. Comprehensive and colorful. This series covers a wide variety of international leaders from the world of art, science, music, sports, and the literary world. There's a hero for everyone.
*Many thanks to Quarto Books for an ARC. Love it!
*Many thanks to Quarto Books for an ARC. Love it!
April 14, 2020
Billie Jean King by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara is another wonderful book in the Little People, Big Dreams series. Billie Jean is an inspiring woman who became a champion tennis player back when gender equality in the sporting world was basically non-existent. This book has lovely illustrations and contains important snippets of Billie Jeans life. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy.
March 6, 2020
This is another one in the stories of famous people for the very young. And as usual, the author does a great job. The story is easy to follow, and explains the sexism very well. I remember the Billie Jean tournament. Hard to believe it was that long ago.
So glad these books are out there, and I love how varied the women written about are.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So glad these books are out there, and I love how varied the women written about are.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
March 4, 2020
Another classic Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara book, inspiring little people with the stories of great people, I really think schools and libraries should stock these so little ones can be inspired early as possible, beautifully illustrated and captivating
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
March 6, 2020
Book provided by Netgalley
Once again a cute short book about an absolute icon who stood up for equal rights. I also enjoyed the art style that was chosen for this story. This entire book series is a small blessing to this world and I am going to buy more of them in the future.
Once again a cute short book about an absolute icon who stood up for equal rights. I also enjoyed the art style that was chosen for this story. This entire book series is a small blessing to this world and I am going to buy more of them in the future.
April 5, 2020
This book was a wonderful contribution to the series. I learned a lot about Billie Jean. Great book for empowering girls, highly recommend.
February 2, 2025
True pioneer of Women's Tennis!
May 14, 2020
Billie Jean King by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara explores the life of an extraordinary tennis prodigy who broke limit after limit against women in sports. As a child, King displayed great hand-eye coordination, and excelled at just about any sport. At age 11, she was introduced to tennis and fell in love with it. The end of the book contains a more detailed look at King's life, using language suited for much older readers. Inspirational and educational both, this entire series is great! I read this with my cubs. We love this series! Highly recommended!
***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 2, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Billie Jean King is a new biography for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I've reviewed a number of these titles and all of them are delightful and exuberant little books which cover the lives of famous cultural, science, arts, and innovative icons while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail. Due out 5th May 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it'll be 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The text by Isabel Sánchez Vegara is well written in clear accessible language. The colorful and appealing illustrations were well done. The art by Miranda Sofroniou supports the text very well. The illustrations are rich in small subtle details which bear a closer look and many of them mirror real life publicity photos from the time.
Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition.
Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Ms. King is an intelligent and accomplished woman and advocate and this book is a nice tribute to an iconic athlete.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
Billie Jean King is a new biography for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I've reviewed a number of these titles and all of them are delightful and exuberant little books which cover the lives of famous cultural, science, arts, and innovative icons while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail. Due out 5th May 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it'll be 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.
The text by Isabel Sánchez Vegara is well written in clear accessible language. The colorful and appealing illustrations were well done. The art by Miranda Sofroniou supports the text very well. The illustrations are rich in small subtle details which bear a closer look and many of them mirror real life publicity photos from the time.
Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition.
Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Ms. King is an intelligent and accomplished woman and advocate and this book is a nice tribute to an iconic athlete.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
May 11, 2020
'Billie Jean King' by Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Miranda Sofroniou is a biography for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series.
As a child, Billie Jean King loved sports. Especially baseball. When she found tennis, she loved it best of all and became determined to be the best at it. She was also determined to work for equality in her sport.
The series is consistently good. I liked the art this time around. It's bright and colorful. The book concludes, like all in the series, with a timeline about the subject.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
As a child, Billie Jean King loved sports. Especially baseball. When she found tennis, she loved it best of all and became determined to be the best at it. She was also determined to work for equality in her sport.
The series is consistently good. I liked the art this time around. It's bright and colorful. The book concludes, like all in the series, with a timeline about the subject.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Frances Lincoln Childrens, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
April 27, 2020
Billie Jean King is a hero not just to tennis players, but also to the LGBTQ community. I am glad this book does not shy away from King's sexuality, even if the mention is very subtle. Another fantastic addition to the Little People, Big Dreams series!
August 13, 2022
Author: Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara
Illustrator: Miranda Sofroniou
Age Recommendation: Early Primary
Topic/ Theme: Tennis, Gender Equality, Biographic.
Setting: Largely America
Series: Little People, Big Dreams
The art in the addition to the series is just wonderful. really like the big eyes and glasses which are perfect forKing. There is some diversity in the illustrations. Sofroniou has chosen to show as many of the playing dresses as possible and let's be honest Billie Jean King had style. Initially, I thought the end pages, palm trees, were a strange choice. Then I realised thy bookend Billie Jean King, showing them on the page on her childhood page for California and on the last page where King is looking at the stars. It's another good entry on the whole with the under style, more watercolour than drawn. Sánchez Vegara has hit all the right points the Battle of the Sexes and the WTA particularly. That choice to focus on her fight for gender equality rather than her on-court success and she was very successful across singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Some additional information for the adults. Billy Jean King secretly married Ilana Kloss in 2018, it was revealed in a memoir published in 2021. The other 8 founders of the WTA are Julie Heldman, Valerie Ziegenfuss, Judy Dalton, Kristy Pigeon, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kerry Melville Reid, Nancy Richey, and Rosie Casals. Together with Billie Jean King, they are referred to as the original 9. While the Riggs vs King is the best known of the tennis Battle of the Sexes it's far from the only one usually won by the man often played with hybrid rules.
It feels somewhat fitting to have read this on the day of the Women's Singles Final in Melbourne. A final which features one of the most inspirational Australian sportspeople, Ash Barty. It is such a pleasure to watch her take the mantle from those successful Australian women that came before her and to do it with such class and grace (that a couple of her male counterparts couple seriously learn from).
April 18, 2020
Another inspirational story from the acclaimed "Little People, Big Dreams" series.
With its quirky, delightful illustrations and informative text, any child reading this will obtain a good appreciation of Billie Jean's life and contribution to the fight to obtain equality on and off the tennis court.
After, due to her gender, unable to progress any further with baseball, she began playing tennis at the age of 11 and became one of the all time greats, winning 3 grand slams in one year.
However, she will be equally remembered for her fight to obtain equality for women in sport and her personal battle not to conform with the rigid social norms that existed at that time, which included the requirement to wear a skirt while playing.
Ideal for the age range, and with a timeline at the end, it may inspire some to seek out further reading and information on the subject.
With its quirky, delightful illustrations and informative text, any child reading this will obtain a good appreciation of Billie Jean's life and contribution to the fight to obtain equality on and off the tennis court.
After, due to her gender, unable to progress any further with baseball, she began playing tennis at the age of 11 and became one of the all time greats, winning 3 grand slams in one year.
However, she will be equally remembered for her fight to obtain equality for women in sport and her personal battle not to conform with the rigid social norms that existed at that time, which included the requirement to wear a skirt while playing.
Ideal for the age range, and with a timeline at the end, it may inspire some to seek out further reading and information on the subject.
April 9, 2020
The Little People, Big Dreams series is consistent...the books are always engaging and inspiring. They provide an ideal way for children to learn about the lives of people who have made a difference. This entry is sport themed and could stand beside an earlier title on tennis legend, Yvonne Goolagong. Each woman scaled unbelievable heights in becoming a great tennis player.
Children reading will see Billie Jean fall in love with tennis and win many championships. But Billie Jean did more than that, she advocated for women in sports, fought for sports scholarships for girls and even in a famous match showed that she could defeat a male player.
The illustrations in this book are so engaging and adorable. I just loved looking at Billie Jean in each one. They add to the quality of the reader's experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another winning entry in a winning series. All opinions are my own.
Children reading will see Billie Jean fall in love with tennis and win many championships. But Billie Jean did more than that, she advocated for women in sports, fought for sports scholarships for girls and even in a famous match showed that she could defeat a male player.
The illustrations in this book are so engaging and adorable. I just loved looking at Billie Jean in each one. They add to the quality of the reader's experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for another winning entry in a winning series. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2020
Another mixed result in this series that brings the world's over-achievers to the attention of the young. The artwork certainly does Billie Jean no favours, making her an indeterminate age throughout, and a bit of a chunky-thighed minger, if the truth be known. It covers her activism alongside her tennis career – I didn't know she was behind the WTA herself. I did know she'd won the second Battle of the Sexes – a match that is actually still debated, although she remains the only woman to have won one, and the only winner of any Battle that notched up three sets while doing so. So I guess I ought to stick to my rules and applaud the book for the young that taught the ageing me something, but I still can't say I loved this, for the style and for the inbuilt brevity with which it races through King's life to date. Still, three and a half stars is better than some of the other entrants to this huge series have achieved before now.
March 20, 2020
I have to admid that I didn't even know who Billie Jean King is as I requested this title. I had so much fun with the little people, big dreams series by Isabel Sánchez Vegara in the past, that I just roll with it. So yeah, this series aimed at toddlers can teach an university student. It helps that after the story as such, there always is a timeline with a short breakdown of this persons life and achievements.
Now that I read this book I can tell you that Billie Jean King loved sports but had problems finding one where she wouldn't be discriminated against because of having the wrong genitals, only to discover after a while that people ignored her when she wore trousers instead of a skirt, and much later, that there was this huge payment gap.
Beautiful pictures telling an interesting story.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Now that I read this book I can tell you that Billie Jean King loved sports but had problems finding one where she wouldn't be discriminated against because of having the wrong genitals, only to discover after a while that people ignored her when she wore trousers instead of a skirt, and much later, that there was this huge payment gap.
Beautiful pictures telling an interesting story.
I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2020
Billie Jean King is a picture book biography, which takes the reader into her childhood love of baseball and realization that as a girl she could not play past childhood. She loved to run and hit, so she explored different sports and found tennis. She knew she could play with boys and girls and upon meeting her future coach at a free lesson, she changed the world of sports for women, as she excelled in the sport of tennis. Her determination opened opportunities for scholarships to colleges for young women. At the end of the illustrations, we meet the real Billie Jean King through photographs and informational text. I love biographies written for kids. Highly recommend not only this book, but the others in the series! #NetGalley #Billiejeanking #Hottingerhighlights #nonfictionpicturebook #picturebookbiography #womensequality #womeninsports
April 13, 2020
An amazing addition to my classroom collection! A great little biography about one of the most interesting athletes in history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews