Basketball Dreams

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. (Jan.)