Charlie was in my room this morning when he saw Sporty Book which is illustrated by Grace Habib sitting on my desk. Before I knew what was happening Charlie had picked up the book and was sliding the ball back and forth and telling me what was happening in the book.
For my family there is something about a children’s book that you can touch, spin, slide, and move that makes reading a little more fun. That is exactly what caught my families attention about Sporty Baby: A Spin-and-Slide Book which is why Charlie couldn’t wait to show the book to his Dad and even Bradley.
This is a hard-back childrn’s book written for babies and toddlers ages 0–3. My family liked how Sporty Baby is a colorful board book all about sports and, of course, balls! As soon as I opened the book, I could see little ones wanting to get their hands on it. The cover has a spinning circle where children can choose from different sports balls. Then, as you go through the book, there are sliders, spinners, and tabs that allow children to actually move the balls on the pages. And I have to admit, I had fun playing with it myself!
The book starts with: “Pick a sport. It’s time to play. Let’s bounce and catch the balls today!” Then children get to explore different sports and different ways of playing. The fun part was seeing Charlie trying to choose between basketball and soccer while David went for Football and I just sat back and watched them move the tabs.
There is soccer, basketball, football, golf, baseball, hockey, tennis, and volleyball. Children can bat the baseball, kick the soccer ball into the goal, shoot the basketball into the hoop, putt the golf ball, slap the hockey puck, serve the tennis ball, bump the volleyball, and pass the football.
There are even little interactive surprises where you can move the pieces and see what happens. One of the things I enjoyed was looking at the little boy in the middle and wondering what sport he was going to play. You can move the circle and choose! I found myself thinking, “I think he is going to play soccer.” That is part of what makes this more than simply a book about sports. Children are actually participating in the story.
I can see a toddler who is fascinated by balls absolutely loving this book. If you have a little one who is constantly throwing, kicking, rolling, or chasing a ball around the house, Sporty Baby gives you another way to encourage that interest. And because it is a board book with sturdy interactive pieces, it is made for little hands that want to grab, push, pull, spin, and slide. The illustrations by Grace Habib are bright, colorful, and playful, which works perfectly with the energetic subject matter.
Although Sporty Baby is designed for ages 0–3, I don’t think the fun has to stop there. I can see an older preschooler enjoying the moving parts, too. In fact, I can see families using this book as the beginning of a simple sports or PE lesson at home espeically if they are #Homeschooling.
You could talk about the different sports, identify the different balls, ask your child which sport they would like to try, and then get up and move! Making this a homeschool #teachingmoment: What sport uses this ball? How do you move the ball? Do you kick it, throw it, hit it, or roll it? Have you ever played this sport?
Then put the book down and go outside and practice! That’s one of the things I love about books like this. They don’t always have to stay on the bookshelf. Sometimes a good children’s book gives us a reason to get up and do something. It get’s us moving and kids off electronics which is a Godsend.
I can definitely see Sporty Baby: A Spin-and-Slide Book being included in our Greatful Moments Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List as I help Santa prepare his list of books and toys to load on his Sleigh which we will be helping him fill this year.. This book would make a cute Christmas gift for a baby or toddler, and because it is small and interactive, I could also see it being a fun stocking stuffer.
And if you’re putting together a Christmas wish list for a little sports fan, this is one of those books that gives children something to do rather than simply something to look at. For parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone shopping for a little one who loves balls and sports, this could be a fun addition to the bookshelf.
Sporty Baby: A Spin-and-Slide Book takes something children already love—balls!—and turns it into an interactive reading experience. Spin the cover. Slide the pieces. Move the balls. Pick a sport. And then, when you’re finished reading, maybe it’s time to put the book down and go play!
I can see this being enjoyed by busy babies, sporty toddlers, preschoolers, and even older children who simply enjoy interactive books. And for homeschooling families, it can easily become a little teaching moment about sports, movement, coordination, and different kinds of balls.
Most importantly, it reminds us that reading doesn’t always mean sitting perfectly still. Sometimes reading can mean spin, slide, move, and play! Sporty Baby: A Spin-and-Slide Book is illustrated by Grace Habib and published by Workman Publishing. Charlie said this is one book we will be keeping even though sharing is caring.
Like I said earlier you will find Sporty Baby: A Spin-and-Slide Book inside our Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List but its also the perfect book to read in our 10 Minute Reading Challenge and to earn a ticket for reading a book today.
About the book: Sporty Book– Pick a sport. It’s time to play. Let’s bounce and catch balls today!
This action-packed board book celebrates favorite sports—from baseball and basketball to golf, hockey, and football. Little ones can spin the cover to see 8 sports balls. Inside, move sliders and spinners and pull and push tabs to make the balls move. Babies can bat the baseball, kick the soccer ball, putt the golf ball, slap the hockey puck, serve the tennis ball, bump the volley ball, shoot the basketball, and pass the football. With bright and colorful illustrations, sturdy moving parts, this book is a slam dunk for busy babies and sporty toddlers!
GreatfulMoments.com
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
