Picture Books About Basketball for Kids

With winter comes snow, sports moving back indoors and basketball season! For kids who just can’t get enough of basketball, check out these picture books about basketball. They will surely spark your children’s incentive to get reading.

You can find these picture books about basketball for kids at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided.

Picture Books About Basketball for Kids

Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Pursuit of Olympic Gold: Long before he became a professional All-Star basketball player, Michael Jordan had dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal—and with dedication and perseverance, that’s exactly what he did. This heartwarming picture book, written by Michael’s mother and illustrated by Barry Root, gives a rare glimpse into a sports hero’s childhood and emphasizes the role that good values play in success. An ideal companion to the New York Times bestselling Salt in His Shoes, Dream Big is an inspiration to all.

Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women’s Hoops on the Map: This dynamic picture book about the birth of women’s basketball will keep young readers riveted. Raised on a cattle ranch, Agnes Morley was sent to Stanford University to learn to be a lady. Yet in no time she exchanged her breeches and spurs for bloomers and a basketball; and in April 1896 she made history. In a heart–pounding game against the University of California at Berkeley, Agnes led her team to victory in the first-ever intercollegiate women s basketball game, earning national attention and putting women s basketball on the map.

Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball: Taking over a rowdy gym class right before winter vacation is not something James Naismith wants to do at all. The last two teachers of this class quit in frustration. The students–a bunch of energetic young men–are bored with all the regular games and activities. Naismith needs something new, exciting, and fast to keep the class happy or someone’s going to get hurt. Saving this class is going to take a genius. Discover the true story of how Naismith invented basketball in 1891 at a school in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Dino-basketball: When the carnivorous Meat face the herbivorous Grass Clippers, rims are sure to rattle! Ally-oops and rejections are the orders of the day as the dinos play a fast-paced full-court game. No one can establish a lead as the final seconds tick by. The fans are getting tense, and there’s a championship on the line. Which dino will step up and take it to the hoop? This exciting follow-up to Dino-Hockey, Dino-Soccer, and Dino-Baseball is sure to thrill dinosaur and sports lovers alike.

Dickie V’s ABCs and 1-2-3s: A Great Start for Young Superstars: It’s a children’s alphabet and counting book from the legendary ESPN college basketball analyst, Dick Vitale. Dick is a grandfather of five and a passionate advocate for early childhood development. In the book, children learn their alphabet through high-energy basketball words that Dick uses in his national broadcasts. For example, “D” is for “dunk” and “J” is for “jump.” In the counting section of the book, Dick leads kids in counting 1 to 10 using colorful basketballs.

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream: The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he’d never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That’s when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion — patience, determination, and hard work.

Little Basketball: Board Books for Little Sports! Now even the smallest of fans can enjoy a book about their favorite sport. Rhyming riddles accompanied by colorful artwork help introduce the game’s simplest, most basic elements.

Allie’s Basketball Dream: Allie’s always been hooked on basketball, but the boys she knows won’t play with her. On the verge of giving up, Allie has one last go at it–and she makes the basket! Inspired by her persistence, her friends all want to join in.

Like these picture books about basketball? Find even more engaging book lists for kids with more than 100 book-themed reading lists!