Bookworm for Kids presents books for toddlers to teens and everything in between: board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade reads, tween reads, and young adult literature.
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!
MY TIDBITS
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.
And they are... The author... James Littlejohn is
a writer, father and
fan of fast breaks where nobody dribbles. He once tried out for a pro
minor-league basketball team. He didn't make it.
The Illustrator...
Matthew Shipley is an illustrator whose art has appeared in projects
with Major League Soccer, Bleacher Report,
ESPN and others
Elena Delle Donne, 2015 WNBA MVP and 2016 Olympic gold medalist, shares her inspirational story of being a young basketball prodigy who gave up an impressive basketball scholarship for family and self-discovery.
Elena Delle Donne has always forged her own path. During her first year of college, she walked away from a scholarship and chance to play for Geno Aurriema at UConn—the most prestigious women’s college basketball program—so she could stay in her home state of Delaware and be close to her older sister, Lizzie, who has several disabilities and can only communicate through hand-over-hand signing.
Burned out and questioning her passion for basketball, she attended the University of Delaware and took up volleyball for a year. Eventually she found her way back to her first love, playing basketball for the Blue Hens, ultimately leading them, a mid-major team, to the Sweet Sixteen. She went on to become the second overall selection during the 2013 WNBA draft and the WNBA’s 2015 MVP.
Elena Delle Donne delivers a powerful and motivational story of overcoming the challenges of competitive sports through balancing hard work and the support of a loving family.
MY TIDBITS
This is an autobiography from Elena Delle Donne, a very successful women's basketball player. I wasn't aware of who she was until I read her books, and I'm not usually an avid reader of autobiographies. It's an interesting read and has many moments, which teens (especially those strongly involved with sports or other activities) can relate to.
The book starts with the early years, and the first chapter mostly concentrates on Elena Delle Donne's family, especially her sister, Lizzie. It offers a very personal look into her life and sets a great basis for the rest of the book. Although there are some differences which immediately separate Elena Delle Donne from the average Joe—having a personal basketball trainer already in the 2nd grade—it does gain enough of a personal touch to make her reachable.
While this mostly concentrates on her basketball life, which is natural, she has encountered many obstacles such as burn-out, Lyme disease, Mono, suicide and even a coming out. The writing flows naturally and has some humorous as well as serious moments, and while it's a bit long, the pacing holds nicely. There's a bit of a lack on the personal side outside of basketball, which especially becomes evident when moments like a friend's suicide occur, although this friend was never mentioned before.
All in all, it's nicely written. Especially teens who are strongly engaged in sports and other activities will relate to several moments, and maybe find some inspiration.
And here she is. . . Elena Delle Donne has been a professional women's basketball player since 2013, when she was selected by the Chicago Sky second overall in the WNBA draft. She was the 2015 WNBA MVP and won the gold medal with the USA's women's basketball team in the 2016 Olympics. She is the global ambassador for the Special Olympics and became the first national ambassador for the Lyme Research Alliance. Elena also plays host to Delle Donne Academy, a basketball camp that runs throughout the year, where she mentors and coaches girls ages seven to eighteen. She now plays for the Washington, DC, Mystics.
Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the tween chapter book "Miss Priss: On and Off the Court" by Judy Phillips and Brenda Nichols from September 15 to 21, 2015.
MISS PRISS: ON AND OFF THE COURT is book one in the new tween chapter series by Mom’s Choice Award winning writer-illustrator Team, ‘Brenjudy’. On and Off the Court introduces Priscilla Penelope Paxton (Miss Priss), a ten year old whose interests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. A unique coming-of-age story bound to bring giggles and enjoyment to allits readers as Miss Priss encounters and overcomes a slew of challenges, even the one that will continue to grow—self-awareness. The book features full color illustrations.
MISS PRISS ON AND OFF THE COURT
by Judy Phillips
Illustrated by Brenda Nichols
Tadpole Press ...4 Kids (a division of Smooth Sailing Press)
230 pages
For ages 8 to 12
Priscilla Penelope Paxton is a witty ten year old whose inter-ests and curiosity land her in, sometimes, sticky situations. Dance classes, Girl Scouts, school assignments, friends and hanging out at her family's drug store, and the local Piggly Wiggly would leave any other person with no time for any-thing else. Yet, the thrill of basketball and joining the Little Dribblers finds its way into Miss Priss' heart. Though this interest will prove to be a dream that requires overcoming the greatest of challenges; Mom’s opposition. A task that will require ingenuity, perseverance and a little help from some loved ones.
I go into the restroom locking the door behind me. I take care of business, if you know what I mean, and wash my hands really good since I’m working in the store and the sign reads: Employees Must Wash Hands Before Returning to Work. As I’m opening the door to return to work, the doorknob falls right off. I swiftly catch it in my hand before it hits the floor. Not knowing what to do, I panic. The restroom happens to be at the very rear of the back room, and even if I bang on the door, I don’t think anyone can hear me. Yelling is not an option, either. The air conditioning unit sits right beside the restroom and makes all sorts of racket the entire day. The worst part is the old, musty, moldy smells of that room. I begin to sneeze with all the smells crushing all around me, and then I begin to cry.
I hear the school counselor’s lesson in my head in the midst of my crisis, and it plays over and over again. You can handle this. You are okay. You can handle this. You are okay. You can handle this. You are okay. I take a look at my watch–fifteen minutes have passed. Surely, someone will notice I’m not cleaning those toy shelves anymore and come looking for me. I sit down on the yucky floor that looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years, and decide to just wait. Eventually, someone will need to use the restroom and will rescue me.
Boredom sets in, so I decide it's time for some entertainment; for my opening act: The Paper Spinner. I start by putting the first few squares from the roll of toilet paper into the toilet and flush. That toilet paper spins fast on the roller. I flush again, 'and the crowd goes wild.' Bursting into laughter, I bow for my imaginary audience. Watching that toilet paper spinning while flushing takes my mind off the trouble I’ve gotten myself into and I start feeling better about the situation, but when the water in the toilet bowl begins to rise, things don’t look so funny anymore. Oh, no! It’s going to overflow! What to do? What to do? What to do?
I watch as the water flows over the top and down onto the floor. Then I notice a knob near the bottom of the toilet and give it a try. I turn it as fast as I can and slowly the water stops flowing. My heart is racing so fast I think I’ll faint.
I hear something. Footsteps. Hooray! I’ll be saved from this stinky, and now, wet place.
I begin to yell, “I’m in here. Help me! Open the door.”
No answer. No more footsteps.
“HELP! Get me out of here!”
Finally, I hear footsteps again. It has been thirty minutes since I got trapped.
Someone tries to open the door. “Help me! I’m stuck in the restroom.”
“Priss?” I hear Miss La’Merle say. “Are you okay in there? We’ve been searching all over for you.”
I am so happy to finally hear someone’s voice. “The doorknob in here broke off, and I can’t get out. And, something is wrong with the toilet,” I add with a bit of broken hesitation. Though, I conveniently leave out the part about my participation in the problem with the toilet. No need to share all the details.
“Just hold on, Priss, I’ll go get your dad.”
Footsteps walk away from the door. I begin to panic, again.
Footsteps finally return. I calm down. I’m hoping to get out of here fast, as I begin sneezing again.
“Miss Priss, what happened?” Dad asks from the other side of the door.
Oh brother, I have to explain all over again what happened as Dad begins to jiggle the outside doorknob. He then asks Miss La’Merle to bring him a screwdriver.
“Dad, I’m sorry I broke the doorknob; I wasn’t trying to do that.”
“It’s not your fault, Miss Priss. These things just happen. We’ve needed to replace this old doorknob set for twenty years, anyway.”
Jeez, Dad! Thanks... Leave it to me to get stuck in here. Somehow, I don't feel so bad about the toilet, now.
Sometimes, my dad can be so calm and cool about things.
(We chose this excerpt because it was so much fun to have Miss Priss trapped in a stinky bathroom. Both Brenda and Judy had experiences locking themselves in a bathroom as a child, and recall the feeling of panic. This excerpt reveals Miss Priss’ exuberant imagination as she attempts to distract herself from the reality of what has happened.)
And here she is. . .
JUDY PHILLIPS. . .
Judy Phillips is an educator with over twenty years of experience and is currently a counselor at Samuel Houston Elemen-tary School in Huntsville, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas and a Master of Education degree in Coun-seling from Sam Houston State University. Phillips volunteers locally with university students through local ministries and mentor programs.
Brenda Nichols was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is an educator at university level, with over twenty years of experience. She is currently the Head Women's Basketball Coach and Professor of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. Nichols holds an Associate of Arts degree from Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas, a Bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and a Master's degree from The University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. Nichols volunteers locally by mentoring students and through motivational speaking engagements at schools and various civic organizations.
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice Giveaway ends: September 28, 11:59 pm, 2015 Open to: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, SmoothSailing Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway
