Additional information
by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara (Author), Ben Javens (Illustrator)
Discover the fascinating story of Ernő Rubik, the inventor of the world-famous Rubik's Cube, and master of creativity and problem-solving!
Ernő Rubik was born in Budapest in Hungary in 1944. His mother was a poet and his father a flight engineer, and as a child Ernő loved colors and shapes, design, and geometry. He went to art school but soon realized he wanted to make things that not only looked good but that served a purpose. Erno studied architecture and discovered a passion for teaching--he and his students worked together building things and testing ideas in his studio.
Determined to build something that would help his students understand how things move and change shape, Ernő started work on the cube that would make him famous in 1974. It took a lot of time and patience to build, but his ingenuity and perseverance paid off. Ernő's students both loved and hated the puzzle, finding it hugely addictive, so Ernő took it to a games company. And the rest, as they say, is history...
A global sensation, the cube soon captivated the world; over 350 million Rubik's cubes have been sold, making it one of the bestselling toys in history. Erno's success story celebrates the power of curiosity and innovation, showing children that even small ideas can have a big impact.
This inspiring book features vibrant illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the artist's life.
Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.
Select praise for the New York Times Bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series:"...cute and quirky..."--USA Today, in praise of Dolly Parton
"...address[es] not only setbacks but also their strength to persevere and reach their goals."--Buzzfeed, in praise of RuPaul
"...introduc[es] kids to important figures in Latinx history."--Good Housekeeping, in praise of Frida Kahlo
"...[an] extraordinary series..."--TheEverymom, in praise of Mindy Kaling
"...a fabulous way to teach little ones about the extraordinary lives of influential people..."--Town & Country, in praise of Vincent Van Gogh
"...handled in an age appropriate way..."--Parents.com, in praise of Amanda Gorman
"...particularly great for this age..."--NY Magazine, in praise of Prince
"...encourages kids to dream big to 'achieve incredible things.'"--Rolling Stone, in praise of Kamala Harris
Author Biography
Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara, born in Barcelona, Spain, is a writer and creative director in constant search of new concepts for children's books. In 2014, she created a book for her two twin nieces for their birthday, which shortly thereafter became the first book in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series. This multimillion-copy bestselling series of picture books explores the lives of outstanding people. From Mahatma Gandhi to Aretha Franklin, to Prince, Sánchez Vegara researches complex careers and makes them accessible to young children, with her unique and mindful style of writing. She works with a diverse team of illustrators to make each book lively, eye-catching and motivating. Working for more than fifteen years for clients in top advertising agencies, her books combine creativity with learning, aiming to establish a new and fresh relationship between children and pop culture. Ben Javens left the beloved Yorkshire town he grew up in and moved to the heart of England where he graduated with a degree in Fine Art from the University of Central England in 1997. After wandering for several years in the wilderness that is life after graduation he found his true calling as an illustrator and hasn't looked back since. He has worked for clients such as The New York Times, The School of Life, Smithsonian, Frances Lincoln, TOMS, Warburtons, 8th Continent, Hugo Boss, Lunch Lady, Anorak Magazine, The Guardian, Die Zeit, and Timeout Magazine.
