Little Shaq by Shaquille ONeal

Little Shaq Reviews

• 
  Cathy

  This is a really cute story about learning to think about the people you care about and not just about yourself, and learning to take responsibility for your actions. It would be good for kids to read on their own as a simple chapter book. Or it would be fun for adults to read to kids as well, you could do one of the three chapters a night probably. I liked the art too. The bright, bold images made the kids feel really real and they had so much energy, they were so expressive. It's a cute book all around, if "my" kids were still young enough I'd get it for them and look for the next one in the series. Oh - and did you know that Shaq has got an MBA and PhD? Even the bios in this book were interesting.
• 
  Katie

  I thought this story was a little disjointed, but overall the concept was OK. It is nice to see a new series about African-American kids and hopefully the star power of Shaquille O'Meal will draw many kids in. It is was a little unclear if this is based on a true story from Shaq's early life, or if Little Shaq is purely fictional. It is a beginning chapter book- a group that is hard to write for so I am happy to see a new option in this category.
  
  Recommended for grades 1-3.
• 
  Margaret Boling

  11/20/2018 ~ A celebrity author writing about basketball. Writing is competent, though characterization is a little flat. Real life basketball & video game basketball (along with the celebrity name) will ensure that this book gets pulled off the shelf; realistic peer/family relations & conflicts along with strong parenting will help me feel that my elementary readers aren't just reading fluff. Yes, I'll be adding copies of all three Little Shaq books to my library.
• 
  Emily

  Basketball + gardening. It's two of my favorite things! Plus, SHAQ.
• 
  Ellon

  I like that this book is simple to read with lots of pictures. It involves basketball as well as gardening plus teamwork and family love. All that being said, I found the story to be a little boring. Another review described that characters as flat and I think that is a good description. I still think it’s a worthwhile purchase for my library, I’m just not gushing about it.
• 
  Brooklyn Miller

  A great starter chapter book about family getting along and finding solutions. The two boys in the story work hard together and end up strengthening their friendship. I would recommend for younger readers who are struggling to share.
• 
  Jnase1

  I have some beginning readers who will love this new series.
• 
  Kristen

  My basketball-loving four-year-old loved this as a read aloud!
• 
  Lisa

  My 7 year old really liked this one.
• 
  emmy

  Mentioned in a blog post at
  https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2020... (July 20th release)
• 
  Jane

  I now understand why my students love this series. The book is predictable, though.
• 
  Carla

  Little Shaq is the story of Little Shaq and his cousin Barry. They’re the best of friends. They love basketball, but Little Shaq does not let Barry shoot very often. Barry is upset when Little Shaq takes the shot to win the game when he is open but does not get the ball. They also love video games and Barry gets to choose the one to play. When Little Shaq shows Barry up in the game and again does not pass the ball, Barry gets upset and the game gets broken. They try to blame one another and Little Shaq finally realizes how Barry feels. Both boys accept responsibility of paying for a new game. They decide to work together to raise money to pay for it. They come up with the idea to water plants to earn money. They have fun and a few misadventures in their task but by working together and learning that hard work pays off they have enough for two games. Instead of buying the games, Barry and Little Shaq decide to use the money to help out their community by making a community garden, and get all their neighbours and friends to help out. Filled with great illustrations a quick and easy read. The language is simple and the story filled with a sense of community and friendship. A couple of great lessons to learn. The illustrations are cute and certainly add to the story.
  
  Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA Childrens for the opportunity to read and review this book.
• 
  Mary

  Good story. Nice lesson about working together and sharing.
• 
  Hasina

  An inside look into Basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal’s childhood. Little Shaq is the story of Little Shaq and his cousin Barry. They’re the best of friends and love to play video games. Then one day while playing their favorite game they break the disc. Now charged with the responsibility of paying for a new game, Barry and Little Shaq must come up with a way to pay for it. Working together they come up with the idea to water plants to earn money. By working together and learning that hard work pays off they have enough for two games. Barry and Little Shaq decide to use the money to help out their community and get all their neighbors and friends to help out. Filled with great illustrations a quick and easy read. The language is simple and the story filled with a sense of community and friendship.
• 
  Becky

  Little Shaq is the first in a new series of early chapter books by Shaquille O'Neal. In this first book, readers meet Little Shaq and his cousin Barry. An argument over basketball leads to a frustrating video game experience for the two. Instead of being a way to make peace, the video game increases the tension between these two close friends. The game ends up getting broken, and, the two brainstorm a way to earn money to replace the game. Since they are both at fault, they both need to make it right. Working together in a new watering-and-gardening business, can they get the job done?
  
  I liked this one. I did. I don't love sports now, and I didn't love sports as a kid. But a good book is a good book no matter the subject.
• 
  Martha

  This easy to read chapter book begins with young Shaq playing basketball with his cousin, Barry. When Barry asks him to pass, Shaq does just the opposite, swishing the ball in the basket to make the winning point. Basking in glory, Shaq doesn't realize at first that Barry is angry with his ball hogging ways. A similar problem occurs while competing over a video game together, by this point the boys are furious with one another. The believable way the cousins resolve their anger is convincing, and a great lesson for young athletes. The well spaced text accompanied with bold simple cartoon like illustrations, makes this an appealing read for students transitioning into chapter books. Hopefully Shaquille O'Neal will add sequels, young readers will gobble Little Shaq up.
• 
  T.J. Burns

  Little Shaq is an entertaining and amusing children’s story which emphasizes the values of sharing, good sportsmanship, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and the benefits of hard work. I read Little Shaq with my 8-year-old daughter and she loved it. My daughter asked me a lot of questions about Shaquille O’Neal and his basketball career. She wanted to know whether these stories were based on Shaq’s real life experiences. We did a little research and discovered that this story was indeed based on Shaq’s childhood experiences growing up in Newark. My daughter liked Little Shaq so much she wanted to read Little Shaq Takes a Chance the very next day.
  
  I received a copy of this book from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Debbie Jo

  We have so many students in our urban elementary school that would love this book. Anything with Shaq would have a hold list a mile long - even better - this is a well written book that will encourage and engage readers. When Little Shaq faces problems, he works at finding solutions, with the help of supportive friends and family. Some readers struggle to find just the right book - this series will be a hit with so many readers. Looking forward to reading more from this team! I was happy to read an advance kindle edition thanks to NetGalley.
• 
  Amber

  Full disclosure: I won a copy of this book from GoodReads FirstReads.
  
  A very cute story for kids in elementary school, especially those that like sports. Encouraging to kids to get outside and make good decisions for friendship. Characters of every race with both males and females represented throughout.
• 
  Julia Frederick

  This is really a great early chapter book, which has font that is similar to an easy reader, so kids won't be so intimidated by its length. It's not only about basketball, but learning new skills and learning how to work together with your friends/family. I would definitely give this to reluctant readers, as well.
• 
  Renee

  Good 1st chapter book for kids. My two boys ages 6 and 8 liked it as a read aloud - read in one sitting. I think my 8 year old will pick it up and read it again on his own.
  
  Will purchase for my public library collection.
• 
  wildct2003

  Good values, simple stories and illustrations.
• 
  Reyhan Sivji

  very childish, but funny.