B Is For Baller: The Ultimate Basketball Alphabet

This basketball-themed alphabet book features concepts and famed players from the past and today. Shipley illustrates in a bold graphic style, integrating visual nods to the players’ monikers: Julius Erving, or “Dr. J,” dunks a basketball while wearing a laboratory coat (“D is for Doctor” reads the text). Alliterative lines for Shaquille O’Neil read: “H is for huge human hurting hoops.” Other featured athletes include Wilt Chamberlain, Dennis Rodman, and Bill Walton. Though not all readers will recognize the significance of the book’s allusions or know the players by their nicknames alone (the text doesn’t include a full name for each), basketball fans will celebrate this lively who’s who of players. Ages 4–8.[em] (Oct.) [/em]