Reading on the Stoop, Basketball Math on the Court

Basketball Math on the Court

by Tom Robinson

Published by The Child's World

For our recent Reading on the Stoop session E-Man's Dad, my lil' brother BB.Josh, said that he wanted a book that told a story about basketball.  I searched for a children's book with a touch of history, but couldn't find one.  Though I found a brilliant book written and painted by Kadir Nelson titled We Are the Ship, The Story of Negro League Baseball (will be sharing more on this later), I did not find anything at the Richard Burges Library about basketball history, specifically.  What I did stumble across though was Basketball Math on the Court, which I thought was real cool considering we all love and play basketball (our father even played as a teen and adult and was a great referee in El Paso for all sorts of leagues city + school/youth + adult).  Personally, I thought the book was wonderful and recommend it especially for adults that are coaching youth leagues and would like to encourage reading amongst their players.  Even as an adult reading to E-Man, I learned a lot.  It was just a tough read, at times kind of dry for E-Man's reading level as he had a tough time engaging with the activities to learn ratios and percentages.  At times I wish there would've been more details related to the game's history, maybe even the players themselves, height/weight, vertical leap and any other factoids that allow readers to connect with more of the story of basketball as opposed to the statistics.  But these opinions stray from what I felt this book intended to do and what I feel it succeeds at doing for helping young readers understand the mathematics of the game.  So definitely check it out!

In addition, learning about the publisher of this text The Child's World was cool considering they're an independent, family-owned company that has been publishing books since 1968.  It's an interesting go to if you're looking for stories about specific subjects or recommendations for school libraries to help make connections to some of the subject matter being taught in schools these days.  

Upon visiting the site, I didn't find any titles I'd be interested in reading, but then again, I also didn't notice the Basketball Math on the Court book so I'm going to assume there are a number of titles out there from the past and present that would be good for reading to children.  I do recommend you connect with their social media accounts, especially Facebook for the posts.  Here's a picture they have posted on their timeline: 

 

We need to spread these messages as often as possible. 

Keywords + Tag = Basketball Math on the Court | Tom Robinson | The Child's World | mathematics | Los Angeles Lakers | Oklahoma City Thunder | Kobe Bryant | Ron Artest | Russel Westbrook | June | court measurements | math on the court | learning | comprehension | statistics | formulas | ratio | percentage | points per game | Wilt Chamberlain | Brittney Griner

Reading on the Stoop, Last Day Blues

Last Day Blues

by Julie Danneberg

Illustrated by Judy Love

After work this past June, I decided to head out to the Irving Schwartz Library in East El Paso to look for another book for the Reading on the Stoop session with E-Man, our 8-year old nephew.  The goal was to find any children's story that had something to do with what was going on, what was current.  Scanning the shelves, the word blues caught my attention on the book's cover.  At first, I thought about looking for something else until the idea came up to connect the theme of this book to our nephew's last day of school, which was coming up at the time.  2014 also marks the prelude to 12th grade for our youngest brother who's public school education is in its last chapter, "Senior Year".

Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg is a fun book.  A great story with amazing illustration by Judy Love.  We'd often pause during our reading to scan the pictures, the expressions on faces, the activity of a school ground, and the resemblance of teachers we all knew at some point in our lives.  

Following up on Julie Danneberg's website I learned of other texts illustrated by Judy Love such as The Big Test, First Year Letters, and First Day Jitters.  It's a neat site for learning more about Julie Danneberg and other titles for future reading sessions.  Fans will also learn about what inspires her to write, when she writes, and responses to some commonly asked questions she's received.  One question I'd have is the connection between her writing and the illustrator and whether this collaboration inspires new stories when she finds time to write.  Also how much of her future writing is inspired by re-reading her own books?

I found Last Day Blues at Irving Schwartz Library in El Paso, and it is also available at the Main Library downtown, which if you haven't visited already, I'd highly recommend taking your younger siblings to pick out a book.  It's a great place for them (and you!) to discover new and random books to read for the summer.

To view the text on the El Paso Public Library online catalogue, here is the link: click here.

To view Julie Danneberg's website visit www.juliedanneberg.com.

You can also view some other illustrations by Judy Love at www.judyloveillustration.com.  

Keywords + Tag = Last Day Blues | Julie Danneberg | Judy Love | Illustrator Judy Love | children reading | Reading on the Stoop | El Paso Public Library | Irving Schwartz Library | El Paso | El Paso Texas | Texas | The Big Test | First Day Jitters | First Year Letters | last day of school | elementary school | Charlesbridge | ISBN 9781580891042 | www.charlesbridge.com | Mrs. Hartwell

Reading on the Stoop, No Bullies in the Huddle

No Bullies in the Huddle

by Dr. William T. Hoston

& DeSean Jackson

Illustrated by Charlie Neerman

The next children's book for Reading on the Stoop was No Bullies in the Huddle, which I heard about online and later through the Arsenio Hall show with guest DeSean Jackson.  The text is written by Dr. William T. Hoston and DeSean Jackson, with illustrations by Charlie Neerman.  For more information on Dr. Hoston you could visit www.hoston.com and for more information on the text itself or to purchase, the publishing company link is www.kendallhunt.com/nobullies10/.  For DJax the site is deseanjackson10.com.

Overall, it was a cool read... it got a dialogue going for sure.  As we started to read on the stoop, the light couldn't hold up to the evening dark so we took the reading inside.  Below is a shot of a young father (my younger brother) and his son reading the book.  Everybody in the room took turns reading though the focus was for E-Man to get in some time to read out loud and learn some lessons from the text.

I wasn't really feeling the artwork... I've seen other artworks that I think would bring the story's appeal out a lot more.  For example Theodore Taylor's work and AG Ford.  Neerman's artwork in this text reminded me of the type of illustration you'd find in a pamphlet at a dentists office or a Smokey the Bear ad, or a Beavis & Butthead cartoon.  Nevertheless, the message is there... I thought about different ways the topic of bullying could be addressed... whether its bullying taking place in school, on a team, in a neighborhood, or even a child's own household. 

I think the story lacks creative depth we've experienced in other books... but I enjoyed what I thought was one of the book's main purposes to start a dialogue.  It's important to note also, in light of some of the problems going on in sports, this topic isn't only isolated to how bullying impacts children... but the culture of bullying amongst adults too, whether its in the workplace or in situations where adults exert and abuse their power.  We saw a lot of this come up during the Incognito situation and even through Donald Sterling who had a reputation of being disrespectful to athletes on the team he owned.  Baron Davis for one talked about the discomfort and anxiety of playing for a person like that.

In thinking about dialogue, its important for adults to understand how they could facilitate an environment that is free of bullying (especially if they teach in a classroom, have a large family with several children, work in an facility where children are placed, etc.).  Its also important for adults to to take a look at themselves and to examine whether the attitudes and qualities they carry as a person day to day mirror that of what we'd consider a childhood bully.

End of the day, no bullies in the huddle.  No matter how old you are.  

Desean Jackson, No Bullies in the Huddle, Dr. William T. Hoston, Charlie Neerman, Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, Pro Athletes Organization, Reading on the Stoop, children's books, Football, NFL, bullying, anti bully campaign

Reading on the Stoop, The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X

Reading on the Stoop
Malcolm Little, The Boy Who Grew Up
to Become Malcolm X

by Ilyasah Shabazz

Illustrated by AG Ford

Young E turned eight years old this month and on his b-day, after the cookout, eats, gifts, cake, & running around we got the chance to settle down with some popsicles to read one of the newest children's books from Ilyasah Shabazz.  Ilyasah is one of Malcolm X's daughters and she wrote a book that focuses on the childhood of Malcolm, his family, and many lessons from his upbringing.  We were joined by Young E's cousin, Savanah, and read the whole book with all three uncles present (RBros) including a few of Young E's great uncles who were hanging out in the background.  

From the text, one of my favorite moments is where Ilyasah writes about Malcolm's mother, Louise Little, and the family garden... "...Louise taught her children to love every living creature equally - large or small, pretty or ugly, busy or still, fast or slow, insect or plant.  The garden was a testament to true and unconditional brotherhood from the earth on up to the sky, a daily lesson in acceptance and equality.  Each living creature had a story, a purpose, a reason for being, and a beauty of its own.  Through the majestic trees in the garden, Malcolm would also learn about the importance of roots: nature's anchors, the base of every living creature; and through the outspread wings of the chirping birds above, he began to see the power of possibility.

... And so this special garden became a source of knowledge, a Little family sanctuary where lessons came each day like tiny droplets of sweet morning dew."

The artwork by AG Ford are powerful scenes throughout the book, capturing the tone of Ilyasah's words, both of whom do a wonderful job introducing Malcolm X through his childhood to a whole new audience of young readers.  It's a first step towards learning about a life that lives in literature, study, research, & a lifetime worth understanding.

I also learned that Malcolm's favorite vegetables to grow were peas. 

Reading on the Stoop: Malcolm Little

Malcolm Little
The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X
by Ilysah Shabazz & Ag Ford

Our next Reading on the Stoop day is going to focus on the text Malcolm Little, The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X by Malcolm's daughter Ilysah Shabazz and Ag Ford.  

You can learn more about Ilysah Shabazz and Foundation X at www.ilyasahshabazz.com and also Ag Ford's blogspot, includes many other book projects! at agford.blogspot.com

Reading on the Stoop

Reading on the Stoop

Feat. the R-Bros + E-Man & Lil' Lucy

If time allows, once a week after work we'll be reading new stories on the stoop for the little ones, E-Man and Lil' Lucy.  Going back to the early years of reading as a big brother with the lil' brothers. 

Our first book was about DJ Kool Herc by Laban Carrick Hill and Theodore Taylor III, When the Beat Was Born, DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop.  Highly recommended for all libraries and family collections around.  Great story.  Had E-Man doing the downrock!

Get your copy at Amazon.com!  click here

This is the story of Hip Hop.