From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-What shines through in both of these books is Gibbons's dedication to presenting the games as fun. Each volume outlines all of the necessary equipment and rules and describes a fictitious game to demonstrate the facts. The illustrations, especially those of the players, clearly reflect the action. Both entries have a glossary with key terms, including important concepts such as teamwork and sportsmanship. Excellent choices for beginner players and readers.Meghan R. Malone, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Reviewed with Gibbons' My Football Book.Ages 5-7. Gibbons introduces the basics of basketball and football in two small-format paperback books. Each book identifies the equipment, the court or field, the positions of the players, and a few rules of the game. In the brightly colored artwork, young players, both boys and girls, illustrate this introductory information, then begin a game that adds a touch of narrative and allows for explanation without the tedium of listing one rule after another. Bas ketball begins "Basketball is fun, whether you are playing yourself or rooting for your favorite team." A similar sentence leads off in Football , and that low-key message is at the heart of both presentations. The books don't cover all the rules; indeed, for kids who are intently interested, they will raise as many questions as they answer. Instead, they offer a starting point for young children trying to figure out what's going on in the sport or how to get in the game. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
Basketballs fun--let's play!Find all the basics ion this lively guide.The markings on a basketball courtWhat basketball players wearThe three team positionsThe excitement of passing the ballThe thrill of making a basketAll these and more are included, with a useful glossary at the end.


About the Author
Gail Gibbons, "a master of children's non-fiction" (ALA Booklist), has created over one hundred entertaining, eye-catching books that explain how things work.She lives in Corinth, Vermont. In Her Own Words..."I was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1944. Even as a little child, I was always busy putting books together. Sometimes I would bind them with yarn to hold the pages together I've always loved drawing and painting. I was also a very curious child. My parents tell me that I was always asking lots and lots of questions."Later, I went to the University of Illinois, where I studied graphic design. Then I moved to New York City, where I got a job doing artwork for television shows. Eventually I was asked to do the artwork for a children's show. While doing that show, some of the children asked me if I had ever thought of doing children's books. My mind immediately recalled how much I enjoyed doing that type of thing when I was a child d. So I put an idea for a book together and right away a publisher bought it. That book was called Willy and His Wheel Wagon."Since then, over seventy books that I have written and illustrated have been published. The type of books I write are nonfiction books. This is because I love researching so much. I get to ask lots of questions, just like when I was a kid. I also get to travel and meet lots of interesting people. While doing research for my book Nature's Green Umbrella: Tropical Rain Forests, I traveled to two islands where there are tropical rain forests, Saba and Dominica. I also had a great time writing and illustrating the book. I get a lot of pleasure from doing the type of work I do."Most of the time I live in Corinth, Vermont, in the middle of three hundred acres. I live with my husband, Kent Ancliffe, and our dog, Wilton. We also have three cats. My life in Vermont is very secluded. There are lots of wild animals that live on our property. We also spend a lot of time on an island off the coast of Maine where we have a little farmhouse. In fact, my book Christmas on an Island is about Christmas on this island."I have many hobbies, like swimming and boating, but my favorites are reading and creating books."

ANNOTATION

Introduces the basics of the game of basketball, describing the players, court, techniques, and rules of play.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Basketballs fun—let's play!

Find all the basics ion this lively guide.

The markings on a basketball court

What basketball players wear

The three team positions

The excitement of passing the ball

The thrill of making a basket

All these and more are included, with a useful glossary at the end.

SYNOPSIS

Youngsters can get an introduction to the game of basketball with this informative book from Gail Gibbons. Find out what the marks on the court mean and how many players are on the team. This read will provide a solid ground of learning for your future hoops star.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal