Hoops to Hippos!: True Stories of a Basketball Star on Safari (National Geographic Chapters Series)

by Boris Diaw, Kitson Jazynka

Overview

NBA star Boris Diaw of the San Antonio Spurs takes young readers on safari as he explores his off-court passion: wildlife photography! Join Diaw as he escapes from stampeding wildebeests, comes face-to-face with lions, and discovers why you should never come between a hippo and its watery home. Through engaging stories and photos by Diaw, readers will discover a whole new side to this basketball champ. 

National Geographic Kids Chapter books pick up where the best-selling National Geographic Readers series leaves off, offering young animal lovers who are ready for short chapters lively, exciting, full-color true stories—just right to carry in backpacks, share with friends, and read under the covers at night.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426322013
Publisher:	National Geographic Society
Publication date:	07/14/2015
Series:	National Geographic Chapters Series
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
Lexile:	670L (what's this?)
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

National Geographic Kids

Editorial Reviews

How would you like to be out in the wilds of Africa photographing animals, where the only thing between you and a hyena is a thin canvas tent? That is exactly where National Basketball Association (NBA) star Boris Diaw found himself during one of his many safari trips in Africa. Having had a passion for animals since he was very young, Diaw turned that passion into a dream of educating people about the effects of animal extinction, as well as helping animals that are endangered or dangerously close to being so. From his many trips to Africa and India, Diaw shares his safari experiences, as well as the knowledge he has gained. In this edition of “National Geographic Kids Chapters” book series, Diaw likens the teamwork of his San Antonio Spurs NBA team with that of a pack of wild animals. (But not in the negative sense!) Whether they are hyenas looking for an easy meal to score, an elephant who feels threatened charging, or cheetah cubs practicing offensive and defensive moves on mom, animals in the wild maintain a strict “gameplay” for hunting, protecting territory and their young, or just surviving. Diaw’s comparisons between the game of basketball and the life of animals are enticing, and help to make some concepts a little easier for younger readers to understand. Through his own photographs, readers will see the beauty of animals as small as the Rhino beetle or as large as the African elephant, and will learn unique facts, placed in sidebars, about animals. Did you know a hippo’s jaws are so strong it can bite a crocodile in half? In addition, Diaw offers tips on taking pictures and improving your photography skills. Included is a sneak preview of the next National Geographic Kids Chapters book series installment Scrapes with Snakes. Reviewer: Linda Sweitzer; Ages 7 to 10.

Children's Literature - Linda Sweitzer