Dreaming Big: Bringing History’s Most Iconic Role Models To A New Generation (Win!)

What do Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, and Rihanna all have in common? They are the stars of the internationally bestselling children’s biography series, Little People, BIG DREAMS. Designed to introduce young readers—and their grown-ups—to the trailblazers who reshaped our world, these beautifully illustrated stories make powerful role models in science, activism, and the arts accessible to everyone.

We sat down with Quarto Group editor Lucy Menzies to discuss how these vivid, age-inclusive narratives offer a fresh way to talk to children about resilience, identity, and leadership. From modern icons like Simone Biles to timeless legends like Frida Kahlo, Lucy shares how the series continues to inspire the next generation of big dreamers to find their own voices of courage and justice. —Noa Nichol

Distilling a Legacy: You’ve featured a vast range of subjects, from historical giants like Marie Curie and Rosa Parks to modern icons like Simone Biles and Rihanna. How do you decide which “big dream” from a complex adult life is the most important one to highlight for a child’s very first introduction to that person? 

Each Little People, BIG DREAMS book starts in a person’s childhood – we want to show children that great people were once kids, just like them. We try to choose moments that have truly brought a person to global recognition, like when Simone Biles landed the Yurchenko Double Pike. But as there are thirteen story spreads, we can also give space to low points, such as when Simone decided to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics. It’s not possible to capture every single detail of a person’s life, but we want to show readers that everyone has achievements and setbacks, joys and sorrows. If we’ve done our job right, the book springboards further reading, and kids will often go off and find out more for themselves.

Visualizing Resilience: These stories are famously “beautifully illustrated”. How do you work with artists to ensure that heavy topics—like the civil rights journeys of Maya Angelou or the scientific struggles of Curie—remain accessible and inspiring without losing the gravity of their historical impact?

It really all starts from the very beginning of each book, as we choose to work with illustrators who already have their own special way to make a story accessible – that could be anything from a playful, vibrant use of colour to warm, expressive characters. Our illustrators use their skills to tell the stories visually, so leaning into the personal style of an artist, and their interpretation of a moment, always serves to make a connection with readers across the beats of a story. I also feel that some of the most impactful scenes throughout the series are simple compositions that reach readers on an emotional level, so I do try to keep that in mind when we’re working on new books. 

Modern vs. Historical Icons: The series now includes recent changemakers like Oprah Winfrey and Rihanna, who are active in business and activism today. Does your editorial approach change when profiling a living “modern icon” compared to a historical figure who has already reshaped their field?

No matter if a subject is alive or not, the way we approach each life stays the same – we focus on the things that make each person truly remarkable, and the highs and lows along the way. Of course, the life of a current figure is still unfolding, so it might mean we need to update the book with their future achievements! 

The Little People, BIG DREAMS series is celebrated for its diverse range of global icons, but often it’s the small, quiet details in the illustrations that resonate most deeply with readers—have you received any specific feedback from a family that reminded you why visual representation in children’s literature is so vital?”

Recently, I saw some feedback from the family of a girl who bravely went through a medical issue, and as a result now wears an eye patch. The family saw an illustration of a child wearing an eye patch as part of a scene in Little People, BIG DREAMS: Taylor Swift, and wrote about how meaningful it was to them. I found it really touching, and it’s a motivator to keep pushing the series to represent readers in whatever ways we can. As well as reading about inspiring figures, it reminds me that kids can find their voice of courage when they see themselves as part of the natural fabric of a story. 

The Global Impact: As an internationally bestselling series, your narratives resonate across a “diverse spectrum of achievements”. How do you ensure these biographies remain age-inclusive and culturally resonant for young dreamers in different parts of the world?  

As a team, we constantly talk about the biographies that could resonate with kids everywhere. If there’s a global event or celebration, we’re likely to publish books that tie into it, such as the World Cup, as it’s a way for kids to really participate and understand the significance of the moment. We’ll also try to focus on heroes from specific countries, like the great Terry Fox. But no matter what, by focusing on the core topics that kids are truly passionate about, from music and sport to environmentalism and activism, the books make an impact on readers worldwide. And my personal hope is that a good story will find its audience! 

Win! A Set Of Little People, BIG DREAMS Books!

Congrats Lisa C. of Garson, ON, will receive 5 Little People, BIG DREAMS Books! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding. Full contest rules/regulations here.