Little People BIG DREAMS: Hayao Miyazaki

Available October 2026 – pre-order now!

From the bestselling biography series Little People, BIG DREAMS, discover the life of Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary filmmaker and co-founder of Studio Ghibli.

Discover the fascinating story of Hayao Miyazaki, from a wartime evacuee to a legendary and award-winning film maker.

Born in 1941 in Tokyo during World War II, Miyazaki’s father was the manager of Miyazaki Airplane, a company that built fighter planes. Miyazaki’s family were evacuated several times during the war and some of his earliest memories were of bombed-out cities. Always passionate about drawing, young Miyazaki loved to draw planes, tanks and battleships. Inspired by manga artists, he dreamt of creating his own films and in 1985 he co-founded Studio Ghibli.

Renowned for classics like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke, Miyazaki’s work weaves together themes of adventure, friendship, and environmentalism. His unique storytelling style, rich with breathtaking visuals and heartfelt narratives, encourages viewers to explore the beauty of the natural world and the importance of compassion. Miyazaki’s journey as an artist redefined the animation industry and his commitment to hand-drawn animation and dedication to storytelling continues to captivate the young and old. 

Fans will be fascinated to discover the life story of their favourite film maker.

ISBN 9781805701941

32 pages, 240 x 195 mm