Jesse Owens book

Little Jesse, originally J.C., was born in Oakville, Alabama, during segregation. When he was nine, he moved with his parents and nine brothers and sisters to Cleveland, Ohio, to find a better life. There he found his passion for running and was making national headlines by high school where he equalled the world record in the 100-yard dash. It was during the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics that he established himself as a legend, winning four gold medals that also delivered an unforgettable blow to Hitler and racism.

Written by Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrated by Anke Weckmann. 

A family-run business based out of Edinburgh, Bookspeed makes all kinds of books for all kinds of people. But what we love is its collection of richly illustrated books to inspire kids (and grown-ups who like to dream). The Little People, Big Dreams series, in particular, pores over the lives of extraordinary people, from Maya Angelou and Marie Curie to Frida Kahlo, and tells the stories of their extraordinary childhoods.