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Little People, BIG DREAMS
Coco Chanel
El primer título de una colección de cuentos con la que niñas y no tan niñas descubrirán quiénes eran y qué lograron las más grandes mujeres de la historia contemporánea. Diseñadoras, pintoras, aventureras, científicas… Mujeres únicas y maravillosas de las que aprender y con las que identificarse. Mujeres que, como Coco, convirtieron un pequeño sueño en una gran historia.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
23 people are currently reading
1223 people want to read
About the author
Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
203 books447 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 229 reviews
May 20, 2019
An overview of the life of Coco Chanel. A nice enough book, the illustrations are okay but not as good as some in the series. A line or two of text on each page.
After goodreads friends have pointed out some of the facts that are missing from this book such as the fact Coco Chanel was accused of being a nazi collaborator, I'm rating this 2 rather than 3 stars. So many books from this series have unpleasant facts omitted or glossed over, the accusations certainly should have been mentioned in the time line if not in the text. It also should have been considered whether this person should be held up as an icon if it is possible these allegations are true.
After goodreads friends have pointed out some of the facts that are missing from this book such as the fact Coco Chanel was accused of being a nazi collaborator, I'm rating this 2 rather than 3 stars. So many books from this series have unpleasant facts omitted or glossed over, the accusations certainly should have been mentioned in the time line if not in the text. It also should have been considered whether this person should be held up as an icon if it is possible these allegations are true.
July 7, 2022
Very nice 'gateway' book for someone who knows nothing about Coco Chanel. This is such a wonderful series; I wish I had books like this when I was little. I think that you can often discover your talents by reading about people who you are interested in - and the sooner you find things you are interested in the sooner you will start to discover your own gifts.
May 18, 2019
Coco Chanel is the first instalment of Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara's Little People, Big Dreams series, and from a narrational point of departure, it presents a basic but definitely thorough enough introduction to both Coco Chanel's unhappy childhood as an orphan in France and how her talent for sewing, how her sense of and for fashion and her determination to prove that women should not (or rather no longer) be forced to wear restrictive and painful corsets revolutionised both the fashion industry and women's lives (and yes, finally made Coco Chanel and deservedly so into a world famous and wealthy fashion icon).
Now to tell the truth, I am not and never have been all that much interested in either fashion or thus naturally also in Coco Chanel as a person. But yes indeed, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara's narrative, the manner in which she has verbally presented Coco Chanel's life and times (her dreams, her aspirations) and how Coco Chanel with her uncorseted fashions also helped and supported the liberation of women, how she moved fashion from restrictive to ready and easy to wear outfits, that has really and truly much impressed me with Coco Chanel (although of course I am while not really surprised still a bit sad the accusations that Coco Chanel might have collaborated with the Nazis during WWII are not mentioned in either the main text or at least in the supplemental timeline at back of Coco Chanel). And yes, the only reason why my rating is but two stars for Coco Chanel and not yet three stars is that I personally and aesthetically do not all that much enjoy Ana Albero's accompanying artwork. For while Albero's pictures certainly and interestingly do display and represent on a visual level how Coco Chanel managed to lastingly and permanently change women's fashion, I really have not at all liked and appreciated the creepily ghostly white faces of the human figures drawn (which also seem to be rather an illustrative standard for Ana Albero since she does exactly the same thing in her artwork for David Bowie) and do think that Coco Chanel's almost constant depiction in black and ivory striped clothing choices certainly makes me kind of think that she is wearing prison outfits.
Now to tell the truth, I am not and never have been all that much interested in either fashion or thus naturally also in Coco Chanel as a person. But yes indeed, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara's narrative, the manner in which she has verbally presented Coco Chanel's life and times (her dreams, her aspirations) and how Coco Chanel with her uncorseted fashions also helped and supported the liberation of women, how she moved fashion from restrictive to ready and easy to wear outfits, that has really and truly much impressed me with Coco Chanel (although of course I am while not really surprised still a bit sad the accusations that Coco Chanel might have collaborated with the Nazis during WWII are not mentioned in either the main text or at least in the supplemental timeline at back of Coco Chanel). And yes, the only reason why my rating is but two stars for Coco Chanel and not yet three stars is that I personally and aesthetically do not all that much enjoy Ana Albero's accompanying artwork. For while Albero's pictures certainly and interestingly do display and represent on a visual level how Coco Chanel managed to lastingly and permanently change women's fashion, I really have not at all liked and appreciated the creepily ghostly white faces of the human figures drawn (which also seem to be rather an illustrative standard for Ana Albero since she does exactly the same thing in her artwork for David Bowie) and do think that Coco Chanel's almost constant depiction in black and ivory striped clothing choices certainly makes me kind of think that she is wearing prison outfits.
April 17, 2021
Again, I love this series. However, it's very dangerous to only talk about someone's accomplishments when they also have been revealed to have a more sinister side to them.
Coco Chanel aided the Nazis in WWII. Even though this is a kid's book, I think it should have included something along the lines of, "And while Coco did a lot of great things for fashion and women's freedom of dress, we have also learned that she helped spy for Nazis and contributed to hurting people. We love what she has done with clothes and her creativity, but it is never okay to hurt others."
We need to be able to acknowledge both sides, and I strongly believe we need a more well-rounded view of people who have made advancements for humans throughout history. We don't have to disregard positive aspects of someone, but we do need to refrain from overly glamorizing those who have also contributed to human suffering.
Coco Chanel aided the Nazis in WWII. Even though this is a kid's book, I think it should have included something along the lines of, "And while Coco did a lot of great things for fashion and women's freedom of dress, we have also learned that she helped spy for Nazis and contributed to hurting people. We love what she has done with clothes and her creativity, but it is never okay to hurt others."
We need to be able to acknowledge both sides, and I strongly believe we need a more well-rounded view of people who have made advancements for humans throughout history. We don't have to disregard positive aspects of someone, but we do need to refrain from overly glamorizing those who have also contributed to human suffering.
November 21, 2023
Simpa knjigica!
July 5, 2018
Coco Chanel er andet bind i serien Små mennesker, store drømme. Den første bog i serien er Frida Kahlo. 'Små mennesker, store drømme' er en portrætserie med nogle af historiens sejeste kvinder i hovedrollerne. Den henvender sig til børn fra 5-årsalderen, og fælles for alle seriens bøger er budskabet om, at en stålsat vilje kan bane vej for ethvert lille menneskes største drømme.
I Coco Chanel lærer vi en 12-årig pige at kende, da hun og hendes lillesøster bliver taget i mod med åbne arme af en nonne foran et børnehjem. Ordene er få, og på siden står blot: “Dette er historien om pigen Gabrielle, der voksede op og blev Coco Chanel”. Som det også var tilfældet med Kahlo-bogen, er der givet plads til barnets egne tanker og bogen lægger op til dialogisk læsning, hvor børn og voksne samtaler om billeder, som kun ledsages af den allermest nødvendige tekst. Vi lærer, at Chanel foretrak nål og tråd fremfor dukker, og at de andre piger fandt hende mærkelig. I hendes ungdom begynder hun at synge, og det er her hun får kunstnernavnet, Coco. Hendes tilgang til tøj og mode er, at det – i modsætning til datidens brug af stramme korsetter – skal være både flot og behageligt. Det er ikke let for Chanel at overbevise datidens kvinder om, at en kvinde ikke behøver korset og pailletter for at se smart ud, men med hårdt arbejde lykkes det alligevel den stålsatte kvinde at bryde igennem som Coco Chanel.
Bagest i bogen er der indsat en lille overskuelig tidslinje, som en hjælp til den voksne, når der skal tales om alt det, der ikke er sat ord på. Bogen (inklusiv tidslinje) er også et oplagt sted at starte, når de mindste elever i folkeskolen skal begive sig i kast med deres allerførste projektarbejde.
I Coco Chanel lærer vi en 12-årig pige at kende, da hun og hendes lillesøster bliver taget i mod med åbne arme af en nonne foran et børnehjem. Ordene er få, og på siden står blot: “Dette er historien om pigen Gabrielle, der voksede op og blev Coco Chanel”. Som det også var tilfældet med Kahlo-bogen, er der givet plads til barnets egne tanker og bogen lægger op til dialogisk læsning, hvor børn og voksne samtaler om billeder, som kun ledsages af den allermest nødvendige tekst. Vi lærer, at Chanel foretrak nål og tråd fremfor dukker, og at de andre piger fandt hende mærkelig. I hendes ungdom begynder hun at synge, og det er her hun får kunstnernavnet, Coco. Hendes tilgang til tøj og mode er, at det – i modsætning til datidens brug af stramme korsetter – skal være både flot og behageligt. Det er ikke let for Chanel at overbevise datidens kvinder om, at en kvinde ikke behøver korset og pailletter for at se smart ud, men med hårdt arbejde lykkes det alligevel den stålsatte kvinde at bryde igennem som Coco Chanel.
Bagest i bogen er der indsat en lille overskuelig tidslinje, som en hjælp til den voksne, når der skal tales om alt det, der ikke er sat ord på. Bogen (inklusiv tidslinje) er også et oplagt sted at starte, når de mindste elever i folkeskolen skal begive sig i kast med deres allerførste projektarbejde.
September 30, 2018
Coco Chanel and Frida Kahlo are two of the subjects of Isabel Sánchez Vegara and Ana Albero’s ‘A First Introduction To…’ series of lovely little board books – clearly aimed at the younger reader (or the younger ‘read to’).
Essentially, these and other ‘First Introduction’ books are simplified versions of Vegara / Albero’s ‘My First Little People, Big Dreams’ book series. Both series’ of books provide basic but lovely introductions to the lives and achievements of inspirational women. There are plenty of somewhat predictable candidates in both series’ (and they’re none the worse for that) as well as some more interesting and somewhat unexpected choices too.
These are important, inspirational and empowering books, providing a suitable antidote to, and an antithesis of, the conversely disempowering staple literary diet of gender stereotyping and perpetuating ‘princess’ themed books aimed at younger girls.
Essentially, these and other ‘First Introduction’ books are simplified versions of Vegara / Albero’s ‘My First Little People, Big Dreams’ book series. Both series’ of books provide basic but lovely introductions to the lives and achievements of inspirational women. There are plenty of somewhat predictable candidates in both series’ (and they’re none the worse for that) as well as some more interesting and somewhat unexpected choices too.
These are important, inspirational and empowering books, providing a suitable antidote to, and an antithesis of, the conversely disempowering staple literary diet of gender stereotyping and perpetuating ‘princess’ themed books aimed at younger girls.
January 10, 2017
I love this new "Little People, Big Dreams" series. All feature a different woman in history, her achievements, and biographical information you might not already know.
Though the series have the same author, the illustrators vary and also seem to be in touch with the personal style of the individual being featured in the biography. Just take a look at the covers of this as well as the Frida Kahlo bio to see the stylized differences.
A beautiful series telling genuine stories about weirdos and outsiders who made a name for themselves because of their authenticity and determination. Can't wait to read them all.
Though the series have the same author, the illustrators vary and also seem to be in touch with the personal style of the individual being featured in the biography. Just take a look at the covers of this as well as the Frida Kahlo bio to see the stylized differences.
A beautiful series telling genuine stories about weirdos and outsiders who made a name for themselves because of their authenticity and determination. Can't wait to read them all.
December 4, 2018
Ya gurl is craving some children's literature as it seems. :> Not sure why but every time I go to my local bookshop now I cannot restrain myself and need to read one of the Little People, Big Dreams-biographies. I'll be through that series in no time, just you wait. ;)
The installment on Coco Chanel was my least favorite so far. The information which Sánchez chose to display were quite boring; they could have been presented in a more exciting manner, highlighting the importance of Chanel's work in regards to women's clothing and her achievement of making them more comfortable and liberating. With that being said, the illustrations by Ana Albero were superb and a joy to look at.
The installment on Coco Chanel was my least favorite so far. The information which Sánchez chose to display were quite boring; they could have been presented in a more exciting manner, highlighting the importance of Chanel's work in regards to women's clothing and her achievement of making them more comfortable and liberating. With that being said, the illustrations by Ana Albero were superb and a joy to look at.
November 19, 2019
Coco Chanel was a nazi spy. There's no excuse to make an "inspiring" children's book about her.
May 9, 2020
Taj, age 5: I love this book so much that I would give it five stars. I liked that she had a fashion show and I love fashion shows. There’s shows on TV that have fashion shows and my mom and my sister and me watch them a lot. I also like it because she was dreaming happy thoughts, and I love dreaming happy thoughts...
November 22, 2017
First, I would like to touch on the positives. The art was interesting and the book read well to children.
My real issue with this book is the subject.
Coco Chanel was a horrible person and is an even worse icon for young girls. I have no issue with fashion icons being used in books for little girls, we all have our own interests and values. What I do take issue with is glorifying a woman who turned World War Two into an opportunity to hurt her employees (4,000 women lost their jobs during war time thanks to Chanel). Why? Because they wanted fair wages.
Worse than that, Chanel hated Jewish people. She was an actual Nazi spy, where she took up with high level Nazi men at the Hotel Ritz in Paris. Not only was this woman a raging racist but she was willing to turn her back on her fellow Parisians who were suffering.
No little girl should idolize this woman.
My real issue with this book is the subject.
Coco Chanel was a horrible person and is an even worse icon for young girls. I have no issue with fashion icons being used in books for little girls, we all have our own interests and values. What I do take issue with is glorifying a woman who turned World War Two into an opportunity to hurt her employees (4,000 women lost their jobs during war time thanks to Chanel). Why? Because they wanted fair wages.
Worse than that, Chanel hated Jewish people. She was an actual Nazi spy, where she took up with high level Nazi men at the Hotel Ritz in Paris. Not only was this woman a raging racist but she was willing to turn her back on her fellow Parisians who were suffering.
No little girl should idolize this woman.
June 19, 2016
* I was sent this for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
This series aims to inform children about some interesting people who had big dreams and show them that these dreams can be achieved if you try. This particular book focuses on Coco Chanel who I knew little about before reading this (other than that she was involved in fashion) and so this was an excellent start point to finding out about her.
These books are also all illustrated with lovely artwork and full page spreads. The artwork of this one was one of my favourite styles of the series so far as it's a little darker and gloomier at times and I think that really worked with the story that's coming across. 3.5*s recommended if you have children!
This series aims to inform children about some interesting people who had big dreams and show them that these dreams can be achieved if you try. This particular book focuses on Coco Chanel who I knew little about before reading this (other than that she was involved in fashion) and so this was an excellent start point to finding out about her.
These books are also all illustrated with lovely artwork and full page spreads. The artwork of this one was one of my favourite styles of the series so far as it's a little darker and gloomier at times and I think that really worked with the story that's coming across. 3.5*s recommended if you have children!
October 16, 2017
The best part of this book was the black and white striped endpapers, a design Coco would have used.
This was first published in Spain in 2014, perhaps it has lost something in its publication in the US. There really isn't enough information to call this a biography. Perhaps a biography of Coco Chanel is not appropriate for children and no this doesn't contain any inappropriate details of Coco's life, but it is boring and even the illustrations are stiff. In one illustration instead of having Chanel No. 5 on the bag it says No. 5 Chanel. This title is from a series and I am not sure I will look at any of the others.
This was first published in Spain in 2014, perhaps it has lost something in its publication in the US. There really isn't enough information to call this a biography. Perhaps a biography of Coco Chanel is not appropriate for children and no this doesn't contain any inappropriate details of Coco's life, but it is boring and even the illustrations are stiff. In one illustration instead of having Chanel No. 5 on the bag it says No. 5 Chanel. This title is from a series and I am not sure I will look at any of the others.
January 3, 2023
Este es un libro ilustrado super-mega-corto que nos cuenta la vida de la famosa diseñadora: Coco Chanel.
Siempre he tenido una gran curiosidad por saber más de esta diseñadora, cómo revolucionó la moda en sus tiempos y en cómo se convirtió en uno ícono de la moda.
Este libro es perfecto para saber su historia.
A pesar de ser corto, es un resumen bastante completo de su vida.
Siempre he tenido una gran curiosidad por saber más de esta diseñadora, cómo revolucionó la moda en sus tiempos y en cómo se convirtió en uno ícono de la moda.
Este libro es perfecto para saber su historia.
A pesar de ser corto, es un resumen bastante completo de su vida.
January 19, 2021
Една от най-любимите ми детски поредици, които са всъщност нехудожествена литература и разказват за известни личности, променили света.
Всичко е представено по изключително достъпен начин и със страхотни илюстрации, които да пренесат читателя в миналото.
Горещо препоръчвам!
Криси
Всичко е представено по изключително достъпен начин и със страхотни илюстрации, които да пренесат читателя в миналото.
Горещо препоръчвам!
Криси
May 25, 2021
Jak na taką barwną osobę i nawet jak na książkę dla dzieci … to całość bardzo oszczędna w słowach. Ratuje tylko szata graficzna.
December 3, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
2016 Reading Challenge: A book translated to English
I was lucky enough to be in the bookstore Shakespeare & Company in Paris a few weeks ago and while roaming the beautiful shelves of the shop I was trying to find the perfect book to buy there to keep it as a memento of my visit and in the children´s section I found this gem, the story of one of Paris´ biggest icons, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. The book shows with few words and beautiful illustrations the outstanding life of Coco Chanel and it delivers the beautiful message that is okay to be different.
A very beautiful book about a very talented and special woman.
2016 Reading Challenge: A book translated to English
I was lucky enough to be in the bookstore Shakespeare & Company in Paris a few weeks ago and while roaming the beautiful shelves of the shop I was trying to find the perfect book to buy there to keep it as a memento of my visit and in the children´s section I found this gem, the story of one of Paris´ biggest icons, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. The book shows with few words and beautiful illustrations the outstanding life of Coco Chanel and it delivers the beautiful message that is okay to be different.
A very beautiful book about a very talented and special woman.
April 27, 2019
Remeney has been so excited to read this one, and of course it's a lovely book. It seems a very strange choice for them though. Nobody is all good or all bad obviously, but you would have thought that being a Nazi agent would rule you out of a book like this.
April 8, 2025
Šovakar iepazināmies ar Gabrielu Šaneli jeb franču modes dizaineri Koko Šaneli. Neesmu brendu cilvēks, tie man neko daudz neizsaka, tomēr par smaržām Chanel No.5, protams, zināju un brenda logo arī atpazinu (pilnīga nulle tātad modē neesmu 😆🫣😄).
Uzzināju patiesi daudz, un laikam pats svarīgākais, ko Koko panāca bija tas, ka sievietes varēja beidzot uzelpot (burtiski!), jo korsetes viņa nomainīja uz ērtāku un brīvāku apģērbu.
Interesanti, ka, pašlaik lasot Ostinas grāmatu, vienā brīdī tieši aizdomājos, kā sievietes pasaulē nonāca no tām izcakotajām "gubukleitām" līdz šodienas platajiem džinsiem? 😅Tātad pārmaiņas ik pa laikam ieviesa šādi tobrīd atšķirīgi domājošie modes dizaineri, kas bija gana drosmīgi arī paciest daudzu tā laika līdzcilvēku neizpratni un pat nedaudz izsmiekla par savām inovācijām apģērbā.
Šī grāmata uzsver, ka būšana atšķirīgam ir kaut kas lielisks un tas var uzsākt pārmaiņas arī citos un varbūt pat pasaulē. ✨
Joprojām priecājos par šo grāmatu sēriju, kas ar tik lakonisku tekstu, spēj lasītājam iedot tik daudz!🙌
Uzzināju patiesi daudz, un laikam pats svarīgākais, ko Koko panāca bija tas, ka sievietes varēja beidzot uzelpot (burtiski!), jo korsetes viņa nomainīja uz ērtāku un brīvāku apģērbu.
Interesanti, ka, pašlaik lasot Ostinas grāmatu, vienā brīdī tieši aizdomājos, kā sievietes pasaulē nonāca no tām izcakotajām "gubukleitām" līdz šodienas platajiem džinsiem? 😅Tātad pārmaiņas ik pa laikam ieviesa šādi tobrīd atšķirīgi domājošie modes dizaineri, kas bija gana drosmīgi arī paciest daudzu tā laika līdzcilvēku neizpratni un pat nedaudz izsmiekla par savām inovācijām apģērbā.
Šī grāmata uzsver, ka būšana atšķirīgam ir kaut kas lielisks un tas var uzsākt pārmaiņas arī citos un varbūt pat pasaulē. ✨
Joprojām priecājos par šo grāmatu sēriju, kas ar tik lakonisku tekstu, spēj lasītājam iedot tik daudz!🙌
January 18, 2021
Está muy cute! ☺
August 20, 2021
No nie podoba mi się ta seria i już. Te biografie są ta uproszczone, że aż prostackie.
November 7, 2016
Originally posted on Jo's Scribbles.
The Little People, Big Dreams series from Frances Lincoln is a series telling the stories of well known women, and the dreams they had as children, showing that children can one day achieve their dreams, no matter what they might be. They cover the hardships these women faced, but keep the stories appropriate for the readership. Each story also includes a short biography with photographs of the women.
Coco Chanel's story tells of how young Gabrielle grew up in a convent school became one of the most famous fashion designers. A girl with a passion for sewing, she would sew for a tailors after school, and sang in the evenings, earning the nickname "Coco". From sewing hats and opening a hat shop, to designing clothes that were short and straight, revolutionising women's clothes and freeing them from corsets.
The Little People, Big Dreams series from Frances Lincoln is a series telling the stories of well known women, and the dreams they had as children, showing that children can one day achieve their dreams, no matter what they might be. They cover the hardships these women faced, but keep the stories appropriate for the readership. Each story also includes a short biography with photographs of the women.
Coco Chanel's story tells of how young Gabrielle grew up in a convent school became one of the most famous fashion designers. A girl with a passion for sewing, she would sew for a tailors after school, and sang in the evenings, earning the nickname "Coco". From sewing hats and opening a hat shop, to designing clothes that were short and straight, revolutionising women's clothes and freeing them from corsets.
July 20, 2016
Coco Chanel is part of the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. This children’s biography is written in a format that is easy to read and comprehend. Readers learn about Coco Chanel’s life and inspiration, all while learning a very important lesson – it is okay to be unique. This book also shows readers that with hard work, you can accomplish your dreams no matter who you are or where you come from. An added bonus is the additional biographical information and pictures at the end of the story. A copy of the book was provided for this honest review; however, no other compensation was provided.
April 18, 2018
This cute little kids book is an introduction to a world renowned designer whose life, though quite controversial, was very interesting. Having read her biography once before, I wondered how they would tame her life story into a children's book but I have to say the authors and illustrators did a fabulous job to tell her story through sequential art and few words. The drawings reminded me of the cartoon "Madeleine". Quick read, definitely suitable to read to a younger audience. Special thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for sending me a review copy of this book.
October 30, 2018
Coco is an icon who we can all love. I've been excited about this book for quite some time now and was so super excited when it arrived for me today.
The illustrations were beautiful and elegant but the story felt like a tug of war. It jumped too quickly while I wanted to embrace what was being said.
For the illustrations, this was amazing but the story didn't do it for me.
The illustrations were beautiful and elegant but the story felt like a tug of war. It jumped too quickly while I wanted to embrace what was being said.
For the illustrations, this was amazing but the story didn't do it for me.
July 26, 2016
My five year old daughter enjoyed this book. She liked the artwork and the story of Chanel's life was simple enough for her to understand. A good introduction to how women's fashions have evolved over the last century.
October 19, 2017
I really like the message of putting your ideas out there, even if they're different. Brava.
November 9, 2017
Meet Coco Chanel- a young girl who is a bit different, but paves the way in women's fashion. Great for lower elementary readers
December 22, 2017
Love this stylish series. Perfect beginnng bios.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews