Basketball Dreams
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
From NBA All-Star Chris Paul comes an inspirational and uplifting picture book about chasing your basketball dreams and the lessons he learned both on and off the court from his beloved grandfather Papa Chilly.
Growing up, young Chris Paul dreamed of playing professional basketball. But he knew it would take more than dedication and practice, so Chris looked to his grandfather Papa Chilly as a shining example of the values he could apply both in basketball and in life. Papa taught him about respect, faith, kindness, generosity, and the determination to succeed, just as Papa had succeeded as the first Black business owner of a service station in North Carolina. Serving as a beacon of inspiration for Chris, Papa Chilly and his lessons propelled Chris to become the star NBA player—and person—he is today.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
NBA All-Star Paul gives his grandfather a starring role in this winning picture book celebration of family and basketball. First-person narration quickly establishes granddad, known as Papa Chilly, as a role model whose achievements offer inspiration: "Papa Chilly works hard,/ showing/ by/ doing,/ the first African American to own a/ service station around here." Employing the refrain "I have basketball dreams," the young speaker describes attending morning practices, overcoming obstacles, supporting teammates, and generally spreading kindness, linking each act to Papa Chilly's example. Digital renderings by Lovett alternate between portraits of Papa Chilly working in coveralls and scenes of the athletic youth dribbling on the court and off. Concluding shots of game night offer a fittingly upbeat close: with "my family beside me, my basketball dreams,/ like Papa Chilly's dreams,/ just/ might/ come true." An author's note concludes. Ages 3–6.
