Baby Dunks-a-Lot

A tiny tot exhibits slam-dunk prowess in this lean basketball narrative by Tatum and Apple. Taught to shoot hoops in his own backyard, diaper-clad Baby Dunks-a-Lot, portrayed with brown skin, catches the attention of the Ballers, a basketball team in need of dunking talent. As the little one joins up, Gordon’s digital illustrations show the young player misinterpreting basketball lingo (“pick-and-roll” results in nose-picking and floor-rolling), belting “Baby Shark” on the bus, and trying to keep his pacifier in his mouth. As he takes the court in the championship game despite his parents’ late-breaking concern (“We don’t think a baby is ready to be a professional basketball player”), his loved ones rally behind him, celebrating his achievements. It’s a sportsball send-up poised to remind readers of young collaborators’ ample strengths. Secondary characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)