Cover Image: Evonne Goolagong

Evonne Goolagong

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Like other books in this series, it is a fun little introduction to inspiring people. Definitely a great way to introduce kids to biographies and a nice read for adults too. I would recommend all the books in this series.

Was this review helpful?

I had no idea of who Evonne Goolagong was before I read this book, which made this read an eye-opener for me. Like all other books in the series, this book takes readers on a brief yet all-encompassing journey of Evonne’s life from learning to play tennis with a handmade wooden racket and by watching others to winning the Wimbledon!

This book is sure to make readers (young and old) curious about Indigenous people around the world, and to learn more about them.

Cool fact: The Wiradjuri people (Evonne Goolagong’s ancestors) had lived in Australia for more than 60,000 years.

Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC from NetGalley, and these are my honest opinions.

Was this review helpful?

This book is typical of the series. It mentions early life quite a big, then skips to the major accomplishments. It is nice that they chose a little known figure to American society (because she is Australian) and while I learned a bit about the indigenous tennis player, it was not enough to be memorable.

Was this review helpful?

The Little People Big Dreams series are always great, and I'd always happily recommend any and all of them to customers. I'm yet to find one I don't like and they offer a great introduction to some fascinating people for kids (and in some cases adults too!). And it was especially nice to see an Aboriginal Australian Woman represented here.

Was this review helpful?

Great retelling of Evonne Goolagong's achievements. These books are always brilliant and this is no exception. Brilliant tale of determination.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another lovely example of this series which offers children the chance to find out about the lives of famous people. Perfect for the class library!

Was this review helpful?

'Evonne Goolagong' by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Lisa Koesterke is about the famous Australian tennnis player.

Evonne, a descendant of the Wirundjuri people, grew up in a large family on a dusty farm. When she found a tennis ball, her dreams of tennis began, but as an Indigenous person, getting to play in a tennis club was not allowed. She caught some breaks along the way, and eventually became a world star of tennis.

I liked this story of dreams and determination. The illustrations were fun, and I liked the biography section that is at the end of this entire series.

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.

Was this review helpful?

Evonne Goolagong by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara focuses on the life of one of Australia's most inspiring athletes. Part of the indigenous population native to Australia and a descendant of the Wirundjuri people, Goolagong grew up on a farm. She fell in love with tennis after joining a local club and discovering she had a knack for it. Goolagong practised hard, setting her goal on the prestigious tennis tourney known as Wimbledon. The end of the book contains a more detailed look at Goolagong's life, using language suited for much older readers. Perfect for libraries, and classroom learning. Highly recommended!

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Quarto Publishing for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Another fabulous contribution to these amazing books that are so beautiful, so well written and illustrated and simply purely inspirational for the little people and not so little in our lives. Essential reading as far as I’m concerned

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Was this review helpful?

Evonne's story is interesting and inspiring, showing that you can achieve your dreams no matter your circumstances. I loved this story and think it's one that will inspire others for years to come.

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I'd never heard of Goolagong before, which is a real shame because this is a pretty cool story. Honestly, as Americans we can get a geographic blindness. We don't learn enough about inspiring people form other countries. This is a story about rising above poverty and racism. Goolagong is a truly self made athlete, learning tennis from lessons she overheard. After first being noticed, all she gained was access to equipment. Alone, after hours. This is also a story about sport and our relationship with it. Because Goolagong was a champion but that doesn't seem to have mattered to her. She played tennis because she enjoyed it. And because she wanted other people to enjoy it as well she shared what she had learned and created opportunities for kids like herself.

Was this review helpful?

One of my favorite things about the Little People, Big Dreams books is how author & illustrator, Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, brings us the lives of, not only those already well known to us, but those that we don't...but should.

This edition brings us the dreams of Evonne Goolagong, a young indigenous girl from Australia that dreamed big and worked hard to become a tennis champion in every sense of the word. She had heart, dedication, & determination. What an amazing role model for young girls of today.

As always, Ms. Vegara brings us a Solid Five Star Read. A huge Thank You to NetGalley & Quarto Publishing Group-Francis Lincoln Childrens for the digital copy to review.

Was this review helpful?

I remember seeing Evonne Goolagong on the news when I was a child, and wish I'd had this book then to learn more about her. This gives a good overview of her life, from being one of eight children in an Indigenous family in a small town in Australia, where she could only practice on the tennis court at night, after the white people had gone home, to winning first the French Open and then Wimbledon, becoming the top tennis player in the world at age 20, going on to win 92 tournaments during her career, to her work now with Aboriginal children in Australia. The illustrations are sweet and colorful, and convey her bright spirit well. A timeline of her life with more information is included at the end of the book, with photographs.

#EvonneGoolagong #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

The story of Evonne Goolagong is one of the most empowering children's stories I have ever read! The stronger message to me, apart from breaking away from poverty, discrimination, following one's life passion and remembering to give back, is the one about being in the game. It does not matter if you win or lose, "just play your best and have a lovely time"! If only more children were taught this about life!
Thank you to Net Galley and Frances Lincoln Children's Books for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Evonne Goolagong is a short age appropriate illustrated biography of the famous tennis player and a new addition to the Little People, Big Dreams series. I've reviewed a number of these titles and all of them are delightful and exuberant books which cover the lives of famous cultural, science, arts, and sports icons while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail.

Due out 3rd March 2020 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it'll be 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

Written by Isabel Sánchez Vegara it's well written in clear accessible language. The gentle and sweetly whimsical illustrations are well done. The art by Lisa Koesterke is appealing and colorful and supports the text very well. The art is rich in small subtle details which bear a closer look (like the animals, multicultural children, and more which appear throughout the book). There was a small typo in the timeline in the early eARC I received - Goolagong was picked up and trained by Vic Edwards in 1965, not 1956 (when she would've been 5 years old), but otherwise it's factually correct and engaging.

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. Evonne Goolagong has used her fame as a platform to encourage and help others and this little book is a nice introduction to her life and work for the youngest generation.

Was this review helpful?

What can I say about the Little People, Big Dreams series that I have not already said? I love that it focuses diverse people. Goolagong became a great tennis player from humble means. I enjoyed learning about her heritage.

Was this review helpful?

I did not know Evonne Goolagong before reading the book and I am so glad to have done it!

I personally find that the Little People,Big Dreams books are great to discover stories and learn new perspectives, not only for children but for adults. They could also be a starting point to get to know more about empowering and inspirational men and women!
Short story but lovely illustrations helpful cues to discover more!The messages behind the story are as always very powerful and positive.

Thanks to the author and to the publisher for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this one! I was unfamiliar with Goolagong and her plights and am glad this book will introduce younger readers to the pioneering athlete.

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those truly great story's about the rise from adversity and racial discrimination to being one of the most influential sportswomen in history.
This book tell the story of Evonne, who as an ancestor of indigenous people in Australia, wasn't allowed to mix with white people and who grew up in an extremely poor household. As a child she found an old tennis ball and played with it day after day after day, dreaming of becoming a professional tennis player but realising that the likelihood of that happening was extremely thin, seeing as she wasn't even allowed onto the tennis courts to practise.
Luckily, she was spotted watching and the owner let her practise when the tennis courts were closed, and the rest, as they say, is history.
This is a wonderful book that would serve well in a classroom to promote many discussions.

Was this review helpful?

Happily I am old enough and the son in a house that loved sport. I may only have been 14 years of age but I remember well Evonne Goolagong winning Wimbledon. While I remember her heritage was mentioned it did not seem such a big deal.
Reading this latest book for children in the Little People, Big Dreams series I was shocked by her upbringing and lack of opportunities due to wealth and discrimination.
Evonne as the third of eight children growing up on a farm in Australia. Her family are Indigenous Australians so there ancestors lived there long before the land was discovered and claimed by Europeans.
That subsequent ‘white’ settlers treated so badly is a disgrace and that it was still happened in my lifetime demonstrates how hard Evonne had to work to realise her dreams.
Her determination and skill was seen, someone allowed her access to tennis courts and a coach believed in her.
Tennis clubs are seemingly still part of a rich elite in the U.K. so perhaps this story should be more widely known.
I am proud to have seen her play and seen her talent in action but it has given me new pleasure and fresh insight reading this special little book.

Was this review helpful?