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B is for Baller: The Ultimate Basketball Alphabet (1)
Featuring dozens of iconic NBA superstars like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, and Steph Curry, B is for Baller is the ultimate alphabet book for young hoops fans—whether they're taking their first shot at the ABCs or already perfecting their threes! James Littlejohn's words leap off the page and bring legends to life, while Matthew Shipley's colorful, stylish illustrations are sure to delight fans young and old. What started as a successful Kickstarter project from two passionate NBA fans is now the perfect read for little ballers everywhere!
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 2, 2018
4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 26, 2018
What I like most about this book is even though its going through the alphabet for beginning readers, its still engaging for all ages - especially for those who love sports! I was captured by the amazing illustrations and how much I learned about famous ball players. Such a unique, charming read - enjoyed it thoroughly!
March 23, 2021
I know exactly which readers are going to love this ABC book with a basketball spin!
September 3, 2018
I can't think of a reason every household shouldn't have three or four copies of this book.
July 26, 2018
My kids love this book, but I think my husband loves it more. It’s fun seeing him explain who all the players are to our boys and it creates more fun memories for them together. It’s a good book for everyone!
July 25, 2018
Love this book! Perfect for preschoolers and early elementary years. Great for basketball families that want to introduce their kids to the history of the sport and to their ABC’s.
June 26, 2018
Picked up an ARC at Book Expo, and this is a cute, fun book. Tends to focus more on the pro side than college, which limits it for readers in SEC states where NCAA reigns king. (As a Kentuckian, I would have liked to have seen one college reference in there!) But it's still a fantastic ABC for boys (and girls who like ball!). Illustrations are nice and vivid, and the idea of a basketball primer is great for giving sports-oriented children a new option for reading self-selection.
June 12, 2019
An alphabet book of NBA basketball greats current and historic (as of fall of 2018).
This basketball alphabet book requires quite a bit of basketball culture background knowledge. My husband is a basketball player, coach, and NBA follower. He likes basketball a LOT. If I had read this book before hanging out with him extensively, I would've been completely lost on so very many of these pages. Thanks to the basketball history and culture education I've gotten through him (and pretty much only because I live with a basketball enthusiast), I understood all these pages but one. (My husband was there for me when I didn't get the reference for the Y page that refers to a speech KD made when he got MVP. I also made him read the book and he liked it.) That said, this is not necessarily a book a kid can pick up and understand. The pictures are attractive and eye-catching in a style that will appeal to a range of ages, and there are enough common names they can get a basic read of the book and get something out of it. But to really understand this, from the nicknames to baller slang terms to basketball player movie/ad references to a few unnamed players/coaches in the background, kids will need to read this with a basketball enthusiast or have one available on speed dial. It's the perfect gift from a basketball fan to a kid they want to share that love with. It would also be the kind of thing a middle schooler who loves basketball would probably eat up (and possibly chop up to put on their walls). There are very few basketball picture books out there, and even less that really encapsulate the love of the game for true enthusiasts. So if you know a little baller (or a middle grade baller), this is THE book to give them to read or as a gift.
This basketball alphabet book requires quite a bit of basketball culture background knowledge. My husband is a basketball player, coach, and NBA follower. He likes basketball a LOT. If I had read this book before hanging out with him extensively, I would've been completely lost on so very many of these pages. Thanks to the basketball history and culture education I've gotten through him (and pretty much only because I live with a basketball enthusiast), I understood all these pages but one. (My husband was there for me when I didn't get the reference for the Y page that refers to a speech KD made when he got MVP. I also made him read the book and he liked it.) That said, this is not necessarily a book a kid can pick up and understand. The pictures are attractive and eye-catching in a style that will appeal to a range of ages, and there are enough common names they can get a basic read of the book and get something out of it. But to really understand this, from the nicknames to baller slang terms to basketball player movie/ad references to a few unnamed players/coaches in the background, kids will need to read this with a basketball enthusiast or have one available on speed dial. It's the perfect gift from a basketball fan to a kid they want to share that love with. It would also be the kind of thing a middle schooler who loves basketball would probably eat up (and possibly chop up to put on their walls). There are very few basketball picture books out there, and even less that really encapsulate the love of the game for true enthusiasts. So if you know a little baller (or a middle grade baller), this is THE book to give them to read or as a gift.
September 28, 2018
Little (and big) basketball fans come face to face with not only a lovely way to learn the ABCs, but lots of basketball tidbits along the way.
This is not the usual type of ABC book, but rather, caters to hoop and court fans. With each letter of the alphabet, comes a different basketball star and a dash of interesting facts even some adults might not know. But this isn't a run through stars and information alone. Humor and clever word play give each page and letter an unexpected twist. While some (like B for Larry Bird) are direct and bring the humor along subtly, others are very imaginative and guarantee a few giggles.
The illustrations not only depict the players rather well but let the humorous side fly. Nick names and aspects of the players take on entirely different spins in the pictures, many of which are sure to open up to discussions with young listeners and help older readers share their own enthusiasm for the sport.
Summed up, this is an original take on ABCs and basketball (NBA), which is sure to gain a place in hoop fans' hearts.
I received a complimentary copy and found it to be such an original book for sport fans that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
This is not the usual type of ABC book, but rather, caters to hoop and court fans. With each letter of the alphabet, comes a different basketball star and a dash of interesting facts even some adults might not know. But this isn't a run through stars and information alone. Humor and clever word play give each page and letter an unexpected twist. While some (like B for Larry Bird) are direct and bring the humor along subtly, others are very imaginative and guarantee a few giggles.
The illustrations not only depict the players rather well but let the humorous side fly. Nick names and aspects of the players take on entirely different spins in the pictures, many of which are sure to open up to discussions with young listeners and help older readers share their own enthusiasm for the sport.
Summed up, this is an original take on ABCs and basketball (NBA), which is sure to gain a place in hoop fans' hearts.
I received a complimentary copy and found it to be such an original book for sport fans that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
July 22, 2019
This book, B is for Baller, is one of the better alphabet books I've seen. Instead of finding a basketball player for each letter of the alphabet (which can get tricky...x?) they called out historic moments, famous or popular players, classic moves and equipment, etc. They looked at basketball as a whole and brought a lot of the sport to those pages. Bravo! Hubs and babe both seemed to like it so much we're adding it to our home library!
July 28, 2018
Our family loves this book! My son especially loves to read it several times a day. We are basketball lovers in our family and this is a must have item for any basketball lover. We especially love the illustrations and the creativity that the illustrator used to depict the players featured in the book.
August 8, 2018
What I love about this book is the pictures. And the words. Just the right amount of pictures and words for my liking. I liked all of the pictures and nearly all of the words. The only thing I didn't like, and which frankly offended me was that Drazen Petrovic is nowhere to be found throughout the book. This offended me as a person and as a basketball fan. I am just the right amount of offended.
October 2, 2018
Awesome book! For anyone who even remotely likes basketball, this is sure to be a hit for your kids, and especially for the adult reading to them. From the incredible and fun illustrations to the witty writing, it's just great. So if you've read Good Night Moon 1000 times too many, pick up this little book, you won't be disappointed.
August 2, 2023
Renton Highlands Easy Nonfiction E796.323
This would have had four stars if there had been a list in the back of all the basketball players mentioned. It's lovely with a great mix of basketball slang and vivid evocative prose with athletic but appealing pictures. Great for basketball fans, but if I were reading it to any basketball fans I would be very nervous about any discussion
This would have had four stars if there had been a list in the back of all the basketball players mentioned. It's lovely with a great mix of basketball slang and vivid evocative prose with athletic but appealing pictures. Great for basketball fans, but if I were reading it to any basketball fans I would be very nervous about any discussion
July 26, 2018
I might be biased, but I love this book! It’s clever and obviously, the illustrations are my favorite part :) my son likes to point and say “ball” on every page. It has taught me (a b-ball novice) a lot about basket ball, as I have gone and looked up things about players I don’t know.
September 23, 2018
I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep reading some books to my kids. B is for Baller keeps you engaged as you try to recall every player on every page. The Illustrations are awesome and you will be passing on your love for the game as you read to or with your children or grandchildren.
January 12, 2019
For the basketball fan, this book was awesome! The references are fantastic, and it isn't your typical alphabet book. Original and fun. Not sure I loved the illustrations, but the text (with classic old school and modern basketball references) was great!
April 13, 2019
THIS IS AMAZING! So much fun. The only thing I wish they would have added was a glossary of the players included with the player's full name, years played, and maybe a little blurb of their career. But still, this was cool. Would be fun to see a baseball one!
August 20, 2025
Fun pictures about men who played professional basketball 🏀 which of course does not cover the ultimate ballers in the sport. Too bad there wasn’t a glossary at the end - all the knicknames makes it hard to know who is who…gotta be an insider I guess.
July 26, 2018
No more "A is for Apple, B is for Ball," nonsense. This book gets right into the things every kid should know... the history and players of the greatest game!
September 23, 2018
A fun and entertaining read for both children and adults, plus you learn interesting basketball facts.
October 2, 2018
Fantastic Book. Wonderful illustrations. Very well done.
October 5, 2018
If you have a little ball fan at home this book is for them. Help them learn their ABCs while reliving the good times of basketball season.
January 1, 2019
It was okay. I liked the idea of using famous basketball players to introduce the alphabet.
January 31, 2019
This book is super fun if you like basketball and know the player's names and faces :)
April 13, 2019
This ABC book about basketball has swag. Pair it with Kwame Alexander's THE CROSSOVER and you'll have readers clamoring for more books that have a groove to them.
August 6, 2019
This abc book covers basketball greats from the NBA (and beyond?). Our sports fans are probably going to love the language, the pictures, and the shout-outs in this fun book.
September 2, 2019
Picture book featuring great illustrations and some of the greatest basketball players for sports fans young and old, including rhyming and player nicknames!
October 20, 2020
Loved it!
April 3, 2021
Ok book for kids
November 19, 2025
Lost a star for me because there is literally one female basketball player in the book. But kids who love basketball will like this..or parents who want their kids to know about basketball.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews