Lucy Tries Basketball – Book Review

Lucy Tries Basketball (Lucy Tries Sports)
Written by Lisa Bowes
Illustrated by James Hearne
Published September 2019

Son's Review:
(Age: 4)

It's about Lucy trying basketball. She plays it with her friends. Jermaine shows them how. And then they go to watch the game.

I liked how they let her play without her even asking. I liked how they all watched the game later. I liked how Lucy felt when she was playing basketball. She felt happy.

People who play basketball might like it, like Uncle N. since he plays basketball.

Mom's Review:
One day on the playground, Lucy is invited by friend Ava and Ava's cousin (professional athlete Jermaine) to try basketball. Jermaine gives all the kids on the playground a quick lesson and they have fun trying to play. They make mistakes, but that's okay. Afterward, they all attend Jermaine's NBA game. Lucy Tries Basketball is an encouragement to try something new, with the message that enjoyment is the aim, not winning. It is noteworthy that one child uses a sports wheelchair; it is refreshing to see an illustrator depicting the right wheelchair in the right place.* Back matter informs readers a bit more about basketball, including its invention, Muggsy Bogues, and wheelchair basketball.

Lucy Tries Basketball is a fun introduction to the sport, an encouragement to try new things, and a reassurance that mistakes are part of the learning process

*I have seen other picture books with regular wheelchairs in impossible settings, such as on the beach. It is therefore worth pointing out that this illustrator did his research to see what equipment belongs on the basketball court.

Note: A review copy was provided by Orca Book Publishers in exchange for an honest review.