Little Shaq
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

O'Neal (Shaq and the Beanstalk) kicks off a family-centric series with a mild story that unfolds over three chapters. As might be expected, basketball is at the forefront: Little Shaq's ball-hogging leads to a rift with his brother Barry, culminating in a broken video game. Readers may be surprised to discover, however, that a gardening theme is equally present, as Little Shaq and Barry begin a plant-watering business in order to purchase a replacement video game. Taylor's full-color illustrations do a passable job of reflecting the ups and downs of the characters' emotions, though with the exception of a few scenes of on-the-court action, they begin to look static and repetitive. 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. A Full Fathom Five property. Ages 5-7. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 1-3-This fictionalized look into the childhood of the basketball superstar features young Shaq and his cousin Barry. They're the best of friends and love to play video games. One day while playing their favorite game, they accidentally break the disc. Now charged with the responsibility of replacing the broken game, Barry and Little Shaq must come up with a way to make money. Working together, they come up with the idea to water plants. By working as a team and learning that hard work pays off, they eventually have enough to buy two games. Instead, Barry and Little Shaq decide to use the extra money to help out their community. Filled with cheerful illustrations, this is a quick and easy read. The language is simple and the story filled with a sense of community and friendship. VERDICT A sweet addition to chapter book collections.-H. Islam, Brooklyn Public Library © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Even as a seven-year-old, future NBA star Shaquille O'Neal casts a large shadow. He hogs the spotlight from his cousin Barry, both on the court and at home, until they work together to raise money for their broken video game. With a can't-miss lesson on teamwork within a family and community, the easy-to-read chapter book is enhanced with ample full-color illustrations. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

An argument between Little Shaq and his cousin Barry turns the two young basketball players into gardeners.After Little Shaq makes a spectacular play in a basketball game at the rec center, Barry storms away mad. Astute readers will, like Little Shaq's next-door neighbor Rosa, recognize Barry's reason before Little Shaq does: rather than pass the ball to Barry when he called for it, Little Shaq ignored him, keeping the fun and the glory for himself. When Little Shaq's self-centered behavior rears its head again in a video gaming session, Barry throws his controller in frustration, breaking the game disc. After a fortuitous gardening lesson at school and an intervention by Little Shaq's dad, the boys launch a plan together to earn money for a replacement game. The boys' pride in their work shines through both the text and the artwork, and the basic elements of planting and watering are conveyed simply and effectively. There are lively, full-color illustrations throughout, some full-page, many playfully interspersed with the text. A community gathering to refurbish the rec center's gardenand eat a neighbor's homegrown tomato salsaprovides a feel-good finale to this above-average celebrity vehicle. A conflict-resolution story that may well inspire young sports lovers to gardenor young gardeners to pick up a basketball. (Fiction. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

O'Neal (Shaq and the Beanstalk) kicks off a family-centric series with a mild story that unfolds over three chapters. As might be expected, basketball is at the forefront: Little Shaq's ball-hogging leads to a rift with his brother Barry, culminating in a broken video game. Readers may be surprised to discover, however, that a gardening theme is equally present, as Little Shaq and Barry begin a plant-watering business in order to purchase a replacement video game. Taylor's full-color illustrations do a passable job of reflecting the ups and downs of the characters' emotions, though with the exception of a few scenes of on-the-court action, they begin to look static and repetitive. 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. A Full Fathom Five property. Ages 5–7. (Oct.)

Gr 1–3—This fictionalized look into the childhood of the basketball superstar features young Shaq and his cousin Barry. They're the best of friends and love to play video games. One day while playing their favorite game, they accidentally break the disc. Now charged with the responsibility of replacing the broken game, Barry and Little Shaq must come up with a way to make money. Working together, they come up with the idea to water plants. By working as a team and learning that hard work pays off, they eventually have enough to buy two games. Instead, Barry and Little Shaq decide to use the extra money to help out their community. Filled with cheerful illustrations, this is a quick and easy read. The language is simple and the story filled with a sense of community and friendship. VERDICT A sweet addition to chapter book collections.—H. Islam, Brooklyn Public Library