Basketball Dreams
#3 in Long Shot Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (64)
What’s inside...
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.
Discussion points
What do you think makes the main character keep practicing basketball, even when it gets tough?
How do you feel when you try something new, like the main character did with basketball?
What lessons can we learn about teamwork from the story?
If you were in the story, how would you help the main character achieve their dreams?
Can you think of a time when you had to keep trying, like the character did? What happened?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences related to sports or learning new skills to help your child relate to the story.
Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to think deeply about the story's themes and relate them to their own life.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in different scenarios within the book, fostering empathy and creativity.
Highlight the importance of practice and resilience when discussing the character's journey in the sport.
Use a warm and conversational tone to foster an atmosphere of comfort and openness, making the discussion enjoyable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The characters in 'Basketball Dreams' learn to work together on the court, emphasizing the importance of passing the ball and supporting each other to win games.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in team sports or group projects at school, learning that cooperation can achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Persistence and hard work
Explanation: The protagonist faces challenges but continues to practice and improve their basketball skills, showing that perseverance leads to improvement.
Real-World Application: Kids can understand the value of persisting through difficulties in their own lives, whether in academics, sports, or personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Healthy competition
Explanation: The book portrays competition in a positive light, where opponents respect each other and aim to bring out the best in one another.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to view competition as a chance to learn and grow rather than just a contest to win.
Example Lesson: Sportsmanship
Explanation: Characters in the story demonstrate good sportsmanship by playing fair and showing respect to both teammates and rivals.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children how to handle winning or losing with grace, applicable in sports and other competitive settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of dreams and goals
Explanation: The main character dreams of becoming a professional basketball player, motivating them to work hard and stay focused.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to set their own goals and dream big, teaching them the importance of having aspirations to work towards.