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.

I have to admit I did not know Wilma Rudolph had had polio as a child and that makes her achievements even more remarkable. Thanks to Sanchez Vergara for this book that offered many insights to the athlete's achievements on and off the track!

Wilma Rudolph by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara is another release in the Little People, Big Dreams series, which I have reviewed frequently on here. I just love these little books. They are always packed with facts about the person who they are writing about and full of colourful illustrations throughout. This latest book called Wilma Rudolph by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara will not disappoint.

"Wilma Rudolph was born into a family with 22 brothers and sisters, in the segregated South. She contracted polio in her early years and her doctors said she would never walk again. But Wilma persisted with treatment, and she recovered her strength by the age of 12. At school, Wilma showed a talent for basketball and sprinting, earning the nickname "Skeeter" (mosquito) as she ran so fast. Wilma was in college when she went to the 1960 Olympics. She not only won gold in sprint events, but also broke world records with her sprinting skill. She had beaten polio to become an Olympic champion. She is a huge inspiration to many women in sports around the world."

I am so glad these books are being published and I highly recommend all of these books

Many thanks to Frances Lincoln Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4★
“She had contracted an illness called polio, and doctors said she would never walk again without a leg brace.”

Wilma Rudolph was the tiny 20th of 22 children when she was born prematurely. She suffered many illnesses and then contracted polio when she was four.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Poor little Wilma in a leg brace with her mother and the doctor

The doctors may have said she would never walk normally again, but they hadn’t counted on her mother, her brothers and sisters, and her own strong will.

“Twice a week, Wilma and her mom would go to the hospital. They had to sit tight at the back of the bus for two long hours, while white passengers sat comfortably at the front. But they never missed an appointment.”

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Wilma and her mother at the back of the bus

[Personal note: This book doesn’t mention Australian nurse Sister Kenny who founded what we now call physical therapy or physiotherapy, which involved moving and massaging the legs while the patient was restricted to bed rest. I mention this because my very active cousin benefited from this treatment, too.]

Now Wilma has the benefit of all those siblings. They took turns massaging her leg for FIVE years! That’s some kind of special dedication.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Some of the kids rubbing Wilma’s leg

When she was nine, the crutches were gone.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Wilma running away from her crutches

By the time she was in high school, she was allowed to join the girls’ basketball team, and they won the state championship.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Wilma and the winning basketball team

She was beating everyone at running, and she was picked for the US Olympic team to compete in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956. She was the youngest member of the team.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Wilma winning an Olympic Bronze medal in the 400m relay

By the time the next Olympics came around in 1960 in Rome, she did even better.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Wilma, the first woman to win three gold Olympic medals

For a sick, premature baby, struck down with pneumonia, scarlet fever, and polio, Wilma Rudolph achieved the seemingly impossible. She insisted that any celebrations and parades about her wins include people of all colours. I suspect she did not have happy memories of the long bus trips, but she enjoyed the mixed company in the sporting competitions.

My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Wilma Rudolph being cheered by fans


My Goodreads review includes an illustration captioned: Wilma with her three gold medals

She went on to graduate from college and inspire the next generation of kids. I love this series and was delighted to see Wilma Rudolph celebrated. As with the other books, there are a few real photos and a short, more detailed biography at the end as well as recommendations for other sources of information.

Thanks again to NetGalley and Frances Lincoln Childrens’ Books for the preview copy. I hope some readers will encourage their local schools and libraries to get these.

Just, wow. I had heard of Wilma Rudolph before, but I didn't know much about her. Talk about inspiring! She went from being a sickly child who contracted polio at age five to setting world records in track and field events at the 1960 Summer Olympics, and became the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympiad. She showed girls that sports like track weren't just for boys, becoming a role model for generations of athletes. Another wonderful addition to the Little People, Big Dreams series!

#WilmaRudolph #NetGalley

This new title in the Little People, Big Dreams series tells the story of the magnificent athlete Wilma Rudolph. The illustrations are charming, as always, and there's good back matter that gives a bit more information on Wilma's life.

Absolutely wonderful! If I were an elementary teacher, I would have this book (and others like it) on my shelves. My 2 year old absolutely loved reading it. He would actually ask for Wilma. This was a joy to read.

An excellent nonfiction title that will entertain readers and educate them on very important historical person that inspired our world to try to achieve more.

Lovely addition to the Little People Big Dreams series, this book chronicles Wilma Rudolph’s life and the trials and tribulations that she overcame.

'Wilma Rudolph' by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara with illustrations by Amelia Flower is an picture book about an athlete who overcame diversity.

Wilma Rudolph was born into a home with 19 siblings in the segregated South. As a child, she contracted polio, and overcame it with the help of her family. From there, she played basketball and ran fast. So fast she won three gold medals in the Olympics in Rome.

Overcoming adversity is a theme in a lot of these stories, and this is no different, but it might be clearer for young readers than some. The art in this one shines as well.

I received a review copy of this ebook from The Quarto Group - Frances Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

I liked this book a lot. I knew very little about the remarkable life of Wilma Rudolph before reading this book. What amazed me the most was her incredible family. She grew up in a huge family that loved her endlessly. Without her family, she surely wouldn't have become multi-award winning Olympian. Just as other books in this series, Wilma Rudolph is a great read aloud for teachers and parents.

I absolutely adore this collection of books, making famous history so accessible for young readers. In this case, Wilma Rudolph and her struggles through recovery and segregation.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Little People, Big Dreams series is my guilty pleasure. Not only is it super adorable but it's also incredibly educational! A lot of the people featured in these books I have seen or heard about before, but never read up on their history.

Wilma Rudolph is a famous athlete who contracted polio as a child. She had many siblings growing up, and also just has one of the most incredible stories you'll ever hear. Perseverance is incredible!

I liked the illustrations in this book better than a couple of the others in this series. They are cute and cartoon-y.

Whether you are an adult or child, these books can be enjoyable! They are the perfect, little non-fiction read to spice up story time or bedtime reading! I highly recommend grabbing these books.

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Great nonfiction book! Book at the age level that are nonfiction are hard to find. This is well written and fantastic for the younger aged readers!

What a beautiful story about a heroic female! She is such a role model for all people, but especially girls, and girls with disabilities. I have always looked up to her achievements, with my own disabilities I have overcome. We truly loved reading this story together and will definitely return to read it many more times! Another set of beautiful illustrations, for this series.

So far I've enjoyed all the titles in the Little People, Big Dreams series and this is no exception. As usual, it's engaging, and informative with excellent illustrations. Will purchase for my library.

I loved this little book. The drawings are amazing and the illustrator does a very good job at showing the discrimination and segregation of black people, especially in the scene where Wilma goes to the hospital.

This is definitely a picture book that I will buy for my students and will promote in the library.

This book is another great addition to this series! I hadn't really known who Wilma Rudolph was before reading this book and now I'm so glad I did! What a great story with fantastic pictures to back it up!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.

We really like the Little People, Big Dreams series of picture books to help the kids learn about important people in history. This new installment in the series focuses on Olympian Wilma Rudolph.

Wilma was born in 1940 and was one of 22 siblings in her family. Wow! At a young age she was diagnosed with polio and had to walk with a leg brace. Once she reached high school the brace was removed and Wilma literally hit the ground running. She became a star athlete and ended up competing as a sprinter in the Olympics where she earned a medal!

This is definitely a story that will inspire the kids. Once again, I highly recommend a Little People, Big Dreams book. They have just the right amount of info for young children.

The latest edition in the Little People, Big Dreams series profiles the Olympian Wilma Rudolph.

In Vegara’s signature style the book profiles Wilma in an accessible way for young readers. We read about Wilma’s diagnosis of polio and her determination to overcome it and become a gold medal sprinter. A truly inspirational story for young people.

I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about Wilma before reading this book and that’s the beauty of this series; everyone learns! The people they choose to profile are truly remarkable.

One thing that struck me as notable is that even in 1960 Wilma was addressing inequality of ethnicity and race discussions that are still happening today. It’s my privilege that makes me shocked and saddened that this is still the reality for many in society. Just another reason why these books are so valuable as teaching tools for our young readers.

The illustrations are wonderful. I used these to help tell the story to Mini N aged 2 who is a little young to understand the narrative. We talked lots about what we could see and I was able to adapt to suit her.

(I review on Instagram: MiniReadsMummyReads)