Celebrating books that inspire: 10 years of ​“Little People, BIG DREAMS”

This World Book Day, we’re celebrating the power of books to inspire – how stories can shape children’s imaginations, spark curiosity, and help them dream big. This year, the celebration coincides with a milestone for one of the most influential children’s book series of the last decade: the 10^th anniversary of Little People, BIG DREAMS.

To mark the occasion, we spoke with its creator, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, about her unlikely path from advertising to children’s publishing, her passion for storytelling, and why inspiring a lifelong love of reading matters now more than ever. Her reflections remind us why reading for pleasure, representation, and positive reading role models are crucial sparking a love of reading in children from an early age.

From advertising to authorship

Before becoming a bestselling children’s author, Maria spent more than 20 years as a copywriter in advertising. But alongside the deadlines and campaigns, her dream of becoming a writer never faded.

“As a kid, my parents would buy one book for me every week,” she says. ​“My favourite part of the day was when I would go to bed and they’d turn off the light – I’d take my lantern and keep reading. So it was always a dream of mine.”

“The heroes of the books I read were my best friends,” she says. ​“You remember every book you read as a child. They really help you shape the person you become.” 

Even in advertising, she continued writing in short bursts, creating what she calls ​“micro‑poetry”. This background turned out to be the perfect training ground for writing children’s non-fiction.

“Working in advertising, you learn to condense information as much as possible,” she explains – a vital skill when transforming a full biography into a short, accessible picture book. 

Storyboarding also plays a huge role. ​“Doing a storyboard for a TV commercial is very similar to imagining how an illustrated book can be,” she says. Her experience collaborating with designers and art directors helped her develop a strong visual sense, allowing illustrators to shine while maintaining the heart and clarity of each story. 

Eventually, in her 40s, she published her first book – Me: The Book of Your Life – a reflective, biographical-style book for adults. ​“It’s funny I started with a biography without even realising,” she laughs.

That book unknowingly paved the way for the children’s series that would one day reach millions of families worldwide.

How did Little People, BIG DREAMS begin?

The spark for Little People, BIG DREAMS arrived with the birth of Maria’s nieces, Alba and Claudia.

“When they were born, I went to buy a book about an amazing woman. And then I realised that book didn’t exist,” she recalls. ​“I was surprised the children’s section still looked the same as when I was a kid.”

Realising that young girls lacked access to inspiring stories about real women, she decided to create the book herself. From one story grew a global series focused on empowering children through representation, role models, and storytelling.

“I say my thanks to them,” she adds.

How Maria chooses her characters

With more than 150 titles now published, choosing who to write about has become a collaborative process involving editors, publishers, and even young readers.

“At first it was easy – I asked myself who I would have loved to meet as a child,” she explains. ​“Now, everyone comes up with a list of people and we decide together who should be next, and children tell me their heroes too.”

When asked if she has a favourite character, her answer is immediate: ​“That is the hardest question! Every time I start working on a new book, I fall in love with the person.”

Maria is particularly moved by stories that aren’t about perfection or fame. ​“Probably my favourites are the ones that didn’t make it to the very top…but still deserve to be part of the series.”

The series covers a wide range of characters – making sure children see themselves reflected in the stories. Her research digs deep into each individual – their struggles, hopes, and resilience – making them feel relatable to young readers who may be discovering these historical figures for the first time. 

The importance of reading: how stories shape who we become

For Maria, reading has always been more than entertainment – it was a lifeline and a source of identity.

“The heroes of the books I read were my best friends,” she says. ​“You remember every book you read as a child. They really help you shape the person you become.”

Books help children develop empathy, curiosity, resilience – and crucially, help them feel less alone. ​“Books help you realise we all have the same fears, the same hopes,” she reflects. ​“They make you a better person.”

It’s a message at the heart of Bookmark’s work: ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of reading for pleasure.

Encouraging reading at home: parents as role models

When asked how families can inspire a love of reading, Maria is clear:

“I think the most important thing is you read first. Mum and dad pick up a book. Leave your phone aside.”

To Maria, reading role models are essential. Children copy what they see – and when books are part of everyday life, reading becomes joyful, not a chore.

She also treasures the magic of bedtime reading: ​“It is such a special bond,” she says – one that encourages imagination, connection, and emotional security.

The impact of Little People, BIG DREAMS after 10 years

The success of Little People, BIG DREAMS has surpassed even Maria’s boldest hopes.

When she first imagined the series, she wrote herself a motivational note – I’ll sell a million books – and stuck it on her fridge. ​“For a Spanish writer, that is absolutely crazy, I was expecting the series to work…but not to be such a huge success.”

Ten years, nearly 15 million copies, and countless inspired young readers later, the impact speaks for itself.

Inspiring big dreams for World Book Day and beyond

As we celebrate both the 10^th anniversary of Little People, BIG DREAMS and World Book Day, Maria’s message resonates deeply. Her stories show children that dreamers come from all walks of life – and that they, too, can shape the world.

“We need to nurture children and make sure they become decent, nice human beings caring for each other,” she says. Books – especially books that inspire – are one of the most powerful ways to do that.

And perhaps the philosophy at the heart of her series says it best:

“You can really choose your journey in life.”

This World Book Day, we’re celebrate the stories that help children believe exactly that – sparking big dreams, building confidence, and opening new worlds, one book at a time.