Little People, BIG DREAMS: Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara Answers Your Questions!

The BooksForTopics community interviews Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara!

Back in March, we invited the BooksForTopics community to help us celebrate ten years of Little People, BIG DREAMS. Since the first book landed a decade ago, the series has become a staple in our classrooms and has helped teachers introduce biography to younger children by showing that every icon was once a child with an idea.

Many BooksForTopics users will recognise the series from our various lists – from Rafa Nadal and Simone Biles on our Tennis and Gymnastics booklists to Alexander von Humboldt and Mae Jemison on our booklists about Plants & Trees and Space topics.

We know that this series is a favourite in many of your schools. As we celebrate the series’ 10th Anniversary in 2026 (BooksForTopics also turns 10 this year – a shared anniversary coinciding with the UK’s National Year of Reading), we were invited to give our schools a chance to speak directly to the author!

We asked pupils, classes, teachers and librarians from across the BooksForTopics community to send in the questions they really wanted to ask, and the response was epic.

We are delighted that Isabel has taken the time to respond personally to the BooksForTopics community. She has selected her favourites from among your many questions and shared her answers, covering everything from the fine details of her research process to the personal stories that her young readers were most keen to uncover.

Isabel answers your questions!

Who inspired or was a role model you looked up to as a child and adult?

As a child, my role models were Pippi Longstocking, Tinker Bell, and the Spanish poet Gloria Fuertes. Every Saturday morning, I would watch her on TV reciting her poems — completely mesmerised. Looking back, it explains quite a lot: a mix of mischief, magic… and a love of words.

How do you turn real people’s complicated life stories into something children can understand without losing the most important parts?

I think you can talk to children about absolutely anything, as long as you do it in a way that feels positive, hopeful, and full of empathy. When I write, I try to be honest, but also to see the story through a child’s eyes — asking myself how I would have liked to hear it when I was young.

Whose story touched you the most?

That’s a tricky one, but I think Alan Turing’s story touched me in a special way. He was a bit of an outsider, and people didn’t always understand him — but he still followed his own path. I’ve always loved stories like that, about people who feel different or who others might underestimate. To me, those are the most interesting stories of all.

If three of your Little People could meet each other for dinner, who would you choose and why?

I think I’d turn it into a weekly dinner — that way I could get to know them all! To start, I’d invite Frida Kahlo, because she was so honest and brave; Jane Goodall, because she understands animals (and humans) so deeply; and Elton John, because I think he’d bring a fantastic dessert — and probably some great music too.

Have you or will you write a book about yourself?

I think I’ll leave that book to the next generation of writers — it feels much more fun to tell other people’s stories than my own. And who knows, maybe one day a young writer will decide my story is worth telling… I’d be very curious (and a tiny bit nervous!) to read it.

What advice would you give to children who want to be an author one day?

The most important thing is to write a little bit every day. I always suggest starting with a diary — that’s what I did. The funny thing is, my life felt quite ordinary… so I started inventing things to make it more exciting. Before I knew it, my diary had turned into a mix of real life and wild imagination — which is basically what being a writer is all about.

What is the best part about writing these books?

There are so many parts I love! I get to learn about incredible people — many of whom I didn’t know before — and work with amazing illustrators full of talent, which is always exciting. But the very best part is receiving letters from young readers telling me they’ve discovered a love of reading through my books. Nothing makes me happier.

What is your favourite snack to eat whilst writing?

I love a piece of spicy dark chocolate while I write — just enough to keep things interesting. And I always make myself a giant frappuccino in the blender, then sit down to reread what I’ve written. It’s my favourite little ritual.

Do you have a pet with you when you write?

Yes, I do — my dog, Lupe, is almost always by my side when I write. She’s been with me for over eight years, so she’s sat at my feet through nearly every book in the series. I think she believes they’re all about her.

Do you listen to music whilst working?

I prefer to write in silence. But if I’m working on a musician, then I love diving into their world and listening to their music while I write. So I’ve found myself writing to everything from Bob Marley to Mozart, via Shakira, Elton John and The Beatles.

Little People, BIG DREAMS Book Set Winner!

As part of the celebrations, everyone who submitted a question was entered into a draw to win a Little People, BIG DREAMS book set, featuring five titles including the brand-new Cristiano Ronaldo.

We are pleased to announce that our winner is: Emmy Boyland, Herons B, The Epiphany School, whose questions about author dinner parties and writing life stories in a way that children understand were selected by Isabel to answer (we love what Isabel answered about the latter: “I think you can talk to children about absolutely anything, as long as you do it in a way that feels positive, hopeful, and full of empathy“).

Congratulations to our winner!

Connecting authors and readers

A huge thank you to Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara for her thoughtful answers, and to all the schools and families who took part.

Ten years on, the series’ message remains just as important: that every big dream starts with a little person.

Looking for more? You can find the Little People, BIG DREAMS series featured across our curriculum-mapped booklists, including Space, Artists, and History.

If your pupils can’t get enough of this series, you might also like our BRAND NEW Branching Out booklist: Books For Fans of Little People, Big Dreams.

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