Little Shaq Takes a Chance

by Shaquille O'Neal, Theodore Taylor (Illustrator)

Overview

For early reader sports fans, this series from superstar Shaquille O'Neal will inspire kids to love reading.

Like most kids, Little Shaq doesn't love trying new things, especially if he might not be very good at them. So when his class is assigned projects for the school's upcoming art show, he's not sure that his skills will transfer from the basketball court to the art studio. Rosa Lindy and Barry have their projects all figured out. Can Little Shaq find the confidence to embrace his own style and create a piece for the show?

This series created by Shaquille O'Neal and illustrated by Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent award winner Theodore Taylor III, encourages kids to find their own true talents.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619638785
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	04/25/2017
Series:	Little Shaq Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	80
Sales rank:	207,918
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Shaquille O'Neal is the author of the Little Shaq series, a retired basketball legend, a businessman, and an analyst on the Emmy award winning show, Inside the NBA on TNT. During his 19-year NBA career, O'Neal was a four-time NBA champion, a three-time Finals MVP, a 15-time All-Star and was named the 1993 Rookie of the Year. Since his rookie year, O'Neal has been an ambassador for the Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America, a group with whom his relationship goes back to his youth in New Jersey. Passionate about education, he has earned his Undergraduate degree from LSU, an MBA from University of Phoenix and his PhD from Barry University.
www.shaq.com
@shaq

Theodore Taylor III is the illustrator of the Little Shaq series and was awarded the 2014 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award for his first picture book When the Beat Was Born. An artist, designer, and photographer, Theodore received his BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and son.
www.theodore3.com

Editorial Reviews

The love among Little Shaq's family members shines through in their interactions, and the story delivers a message without triteness. Taylor's full-color illustrations break up text on almost every page, adding warmth and energy . . . A solid sequel, easily accessible to readers who missed Volume 1.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The straightforward language is well-tailored to the target audience, and there's no missing the earnest, obvious messages about compromise, teamwork, and community involvement.” —Publishers Weekly on LITTLE SHAQ

“A conflict-resolution story that may well inspire young sports lovers to garden—or young gardeners to pick up a basketball.” —Kirkus Reviews on LITTLE SHAQ

“The language is simple and the story filled with a sense of community and friendship. . . . A sweet addition to chapter book collections.” —School Library Journal on LITTLE SHAQ

From the Publisher

04/01/2016
Gr 1–3—This second book in the "Little Shaq" series by NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal shows Little Shaq's reluctance to try anything new—not the sushi his mom makes for dinner and not the art class where Shaq doesn't think he has much talent. When he finally decides to take a chance, Little Shaq discovers that sushi is delicious and that he loves sculpting. Lively full color illustrations break up the text. Early chapter book readers will find much to identify with in this book as Shaq learns a lesson about being open to new experiences.

School Library Journal

2016-01-09
A fictionalized young Shaquille O'Neal returns for a second illustrated story about life beyond the basketball court. Little Shaq and his cousin Barry come home from the rec center giddy about Little Shaq's first three-point shot but are greeted with another surprise. For the first time, Little Shaq's mom has made sushi for a family dinner. Barry and the others dig in, but Little Shaq's curiosity about sushi only hits him after the last roll is gone. Little Shaq's joy and confidence on the court—best expressed when Little Shaq exuberantly tosses a postgame grape into Barry's mouth ("Three points!")—contrast strongly with his unease trying new foods or activities. A large part of the book concerns a school art project, and Little Shaq's frustration is made poignantly clear through both illustration and description ("Little Shaq crumpled up his drawing and marched back to the supply tables"). Throughout, the love among Little Shaq's family members shines through in their interactions, and the story delivers a message without triteness. Taylor's full-color illustrations break up text on almost every page, adding warmth and energy. (Final art not seen.) A solid sequel, easily accessible to readers who missed Volume 1. (Fiction. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews