Hi there! I’m Ryan, and I’m Craig. We’re so happy you’re joining us for Story Time. If you enjoy our stories, you can follow us on Instagram or visit our website at ryancraig.com. There, you can watch all our read-alouds or send us a message. Now, let’s dive into today’s story!
Today’s book is called “The Basketball” by Stephen Chang. Did you know I played basketball with Stephen in high school? That’s pretty cool, right? But let’s not worry about who’s better. Let’s get started with the story!
In the story, the basketball introduces itself. It says, “I am round, I am orange, with squiggly lines and little bumps. I bounce, I dribble, and I can be shot high into the air. I’m a basketball, and I can score one, two, or even three points!”
Basketball isn’t just about playing a game. It’s about learning important lessons. The basketball teaches us that it doesn’t matter if you’re short or tall, or what color your skin is. What matters is working together as a team. Teamwork is super important!
In basketball, there’s something called a “pick and roll.” It’s a move where players work together to make a shot. It’s all about teamwork and helping each other out.
Sometimes, you might fall and scrape your knee. But getting back up shows how strong you are. Winning is fun, but you won’t win every time. It’s okay to lose because it helps you learn and become better.
Everyone is unique on the basketball court. Maybe you’re fast, smart, or have a big heart. Finding your special skills makes you good at the sport. If you’re not good at first, don’t give up. Practice makes you better!
Basketball is more than just shooting hoops. It’s about being part of a team. Helping your team win is just as important as scoring points. When the game is over, always shake hands with your opponents and say, “Good game.” They help you learn and grow.
Basketball is about trying new things. If you’re good at dribbling with your right hand, try using your left hand too. Helping others become better players is a great way to grow together.
If you’re having trouble, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Hard work in the classroom is just as important as hard work on the court. Remember, you’re never alone. Your teammates are there to support you.
To get better, you need to keep trying, even when it’s tough. When you look back, you’ll remember the friends you made and the fun you had. Dream big, and maybe one day, you’ll be on TV making a perfect shot!
If basketball isn’t your thing, that’s okay too. You can teach others how to play or find something else you love. It’s important to follow your dreams and never give up.
Thanks for joining us for this story! Remember, whether you’re playing basketball or doing something else, teamwork, practice, and kindness are always important. Keep dreaming big, and have fun!
Teamwork Challenge: Gather a group of friends or family members and play a simple game that requires teamwork. It could be a relay race or a game of “Simon Says” where everyone has to work together to win. After the game, discuss how teamwork helped you succeed and what you learned about working together.
Basketball Observation: Next time you watch a basketball game, whether it’s on TV or at a local park, pay attention to how the players work together. Can you spot a “pick and roll” move? How do the players help each other? Write down or draw what you observe about teamwork in the game.
Practice Makes Perfect: Choose a skill you want to improve, like dribbling a basketball or drawing a picture. Set a goal to practice a little bit every day for a week. At the end of the week, reflect on how much you’ve improved and how practice helped you get better. Share your progress with a friend or family member.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey, I’m Ryan and I’m Craig. Welcome to Story Time with Ryan and Craig. Remember, if you like what you see, follow us on Instagram or visit our website ryancraig.com. You can watch all of our read-alouds there or send us a message.
I have a message, Craig. Tripping and falling down is not fun.
Yep, today’s book is “The Basketball” by Stephen Chang. Craig, I have a secret. I played basketball in high school with the author, Stephen Chang.
That’s cool! Who’s better?
That’s not important. Let’s get started!
“The Basketball” by Stephen Chang:
I am round, I am orange, I’ve got squiggly lines and small little bumps made of leather. I go bounce, I go dribble, you can give me a spin, shoot me up high, and watch me go. I’m a basketball, yes, that is me. One point or two, I can even make three!
Oh, basketball!
That’s not what I was thinking of.
What?
Yeah, the title of the book is “The Basketball.”
Right, I see that now. You know what basketball is, right?
Basketball? Yeah, the sport!
Yes! I love that sport. Big fan!
There’s a hoop, but what I love most about being a ball are the lessons I teach to one and all. Some basketball players are short and some tall; the color of skin doesn’t matter at all. How much money you have to me is the same. You must work together to win at this game.
Yeah, man, it’s super important. You’ve got to work together in basketball. It’s all about teamwork!
Definitely! Teamwork’s key.
Yeah, it’s like in the pick and roll when the guard’s coming around to get a shot, but then the big man has to dive.
He has to dive?
Yeah, I mean, everybody knows that!
No sacrifice, Craig!
He dives towards the hoop!
That’s what I thought! I was like, “Oh yeah, he’s talking about the dive for the alley-oop!”
But then you said “die,” and I was like, “What’s he thinking? Does he know basketball or not?”
You know basketball!
I do!
Picking rolls? You know it’s my favorite thing to do at Olive Garden—picking rolls off the table!
If you do fall and get a scrape on your knee, remember getting back up shows just who you’ll be. Winning is great; it’s the reason we play. But you will learn very quickly, you don’t win every day. There’ll be times when you lose; you may feel like less, but you must first learn to lose before becoming a success.
People may cry, “She’s too short to be good,” but it might be an advantage to be misunderstood. Maybe you’re fast, maybe you’re smart, maybe you’re the one who has the most heart.
We all are unique when we step on the court. Finding your gifts makes you good at this sport. If you’re not good at first, don’t give up on me. It takes lots of practice to find how good you can be. Mistakes will be many, but mistakes are quite good, teaching you the things that you shouldn’t and should.
Shooting me up into the hoop can be fun, but a team is made up of more than just one. Keep your head high; you’ll see all that you missed. Helping your team win with the winning assist!
Yes! Oh my gosh, I could not agree with this more!
Yeah, every team needs a good assistant—someone to keep track of scores.
No, Craig! They’re not talking about an assistant. An assist is when you pass the ball to another player on your team, and then they score!
You have to explain assists to me!
Okay, do you know Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
Okay, I mean, he’s one of the most famous names!
Name another basketball player!
Sure, easy—Kevin!
Oh, you want more?
Yes!
Ah, such an assister!
Yeah, technically he’s an assister.
Very technical player!
Kevin Durant!
It’s a hard name to remember. You just call him KD!
Individual awards aren’t as good as they seem. It’s much more rewarding when you do it as a team. The opponents you’ll play won’t always be friends, but always make sure you shake hands in the end. Look them in the eye, tell them “Good game.” Thanks to this foe, you’re now never the same. They have taught you just what you can and can’t do. Now you can work on bettering you.
Like maybe you are good at dribbling, right? But after a while, the lane seems quite tight. So you try going left and you find something new—a way to solve problems you didn’t think you could do.
Basketball is a balance, so always try and explore. If you can dribble with your right, use your left that much more. When you’re the best on the court, show others the way. Help them become better players today.
If you’re having some trouble, don’t get it as quick. Asking others for help just might do the trick. All day in the gym may be good for your heart, but hard work in the classroom sets good players apart.
Playing defense alone would make anyone fear, so make sure to speak up to let others know when you’re near. You’re not alone, kiddo; someone’s always got your back. If you make a mistake, they’ll help get you on track.
That’s right! Get back on track!
Yeah, in basketball, a lot of people don’t know—you make a mistake, you get a foul, you have to run laps on the track!
Sorry, those are not the rules!
Do you know basketball, Ryan?
A hundred percent! Ask me any term; I’ll tell you what it is!
What’s a double dribble?
It’s where you dribble it once, then you dribble it twice. Double dribble!
Oh, okay!
Oh, and a lot of people don’t know about the triple dribble!
What’s that?
Have some Gatorade come down your chin a little bit—triple dribble! Real bad! You have to run a lot of laps when you do that!
Oh, you should have stopped!
I just think somebody owes me an apology!
At the end of the day, if you wish to get ahead, all it takes is showing up while others sleep in their bed. And when you look back at all that you’ve done, you won’t remember the points or the games that were won.
It will be those who fought as your friends—brothers and sisters from now to the end. So close your eyes, dream as big as you wish. Maybe I’ll see you on TV—shoot and go swish!
And if you don’t make it, you have the most important job of them all—teaching your child someday how to ball.
Finally, a lesson that needs to be told: sometimes it’s okay to cry. You know, if you need to, it’s okay to have a big cry.
Yeah, totally agree!
That’s not what he’s saying in this book. He’s saying teach them how to play basketball!
But Ryan, where is this anger coming from?
I agree! Is it because Stephen Chang is better than you?
Don’t do that!
He’s a little taller!
Got you, Craig! He’s a little more gifted!
Let it out! It’s time to have a big ball!
I’m not going to see those tears!
He’s much better! He’s so much better!
After the game, just walk down the hall, hang up your shoes, lay down your basketball. Don’t turn around, but keep walking away—further and further! Keep walking away! Just keep on going—one foot in front of the other!
Never stop looking back! Should you go back and close the door?
I’m not really sure.
Oh, you went back and closed it! Good for you! That was a test in your pacifier colors!
Where are we in this big white space? The door’s now closed! Are we in outer space?
That was not our best song!
Yeah, and also, I don’t know anything about basketball! I’m going to come clean!
He does not! I’m going to teach him, though!
You know what? I’m really more of a baseball fan!
We’re stopping now! The story time’s over!
Forever!
Babe Ruth, of course! That’s what you name it!
“The Basketball” by Stephen Chang.
[Music]
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