Let's Play Basketball!

by Charles R. Smith Jr., Terry Widener (Illustrator)

An out-of-this-world story about a boy and his amazing basketball that will have little listeners begging to play, too.


We could bounce to the park,
Dribble to a funky beat.
Spin with me. Dance with me on concrete!

When a bored basketball pleads with a little boy to take it out to play,
is there any limit to the feats they can perform?

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Baseball

24 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2004

About the author

Charles R. Smith Jr. is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet with more than thirty books to his credit. His awards include a Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem "My People" and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his biography of Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. He is the author of Rimshots, Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Tall Tales, Short Takes, Diamond Life, and I Am America. A father of three himself, Charles brings his love of basketball and baseball right down to the toddler set in Let's Play Basketball! and Let's Play Baseball! His recent work celebrates subjects he's been interested in since he was a kid, such as The Mighty 12, which honors Greek gods and goddesses. He currently lives in Poughkeepsie, NY, with his wife, Gillian, and their three kids. You can visit him online at www.charlesrsmithjr.com.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure you could find a better book for a preschool storytime about baseball! This whole series is great for storytime, and this was no exception. Simple, easy-to-read text and attractive illustrations make this an excellent addition to a storytime collection.

[Ed Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is told from the perspective of the basketball and tells a story the ball wanting to be played with by a kid. This is a good book to help young readers learn to read by using a sport that they may be interested in.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very clear use of verbs

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally-- a good book about sports for babies and toddlers.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could be used for toddlers during storytime. It's very simple, short and has a lot of action verbs you could have the children emulate.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is difficult to find sports-related books that are short enough to read to the pre-school crowd, so this was a welcome find.

[Michelle Farella · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an early reader than a picture book. Good for a baseball themed storytime though,

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 1 out of 5]

no.