Baby Dunks-a-Lot

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

For Deuce and Brandy —J.T.

For Jennifer, Isaac, Lila, and Nina —S.A.

For the Joyner family —P-N.G.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Abrams Books for Young Readers • New York

All the kids loved going to the basketball courts after school.

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But not everyone was allowed to play.

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Sorry, basketball is not for babies.

You’re too little.

Don’t feel sad.

We’ll teach you how to play basketball.

Watch. It’s easy.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Do you want to try? Careful! The ball is heavy.

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Baby could dunk!

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Everyone wanted to see the dunking baby.

They called him “Baby Dunks-a-Lot.”

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That was just lucky!

Before long, all the basketball teams wanted Baby Dunks-aLot to play for them.

Baby Dunks-a-Lot has decided to take his talents to . . . the Ballers.This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

We’ll find something a little smaller for you.

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Even though he was the best dunker in the entire world, Baby Dunks-a-Lot needed some time to get used to being a professional basketball player. He didn’t always know the rules of the game.

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I think he misunderstood the pick-and-roll.

And the other players on the team didn’t always want to do the same things as a baby.

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Do we have to sing the “Baby Shark” song again?

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Do all of us really need to have nap time?

But they had to admit, Baby Dunks-a-Lot made them laugh.

Has anyone seen Baby Dunks-a-Lot?

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I’ll get you another one!

That’s my whistle!

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And with Baby Dunks-a-Lot on their team, the Ballers were winning.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

He should really keep his pacifier in his mouth.

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Baby Dunks-a-Lot was becoming a superstar, and the other players on the team were starting to like having him around.

You sure about these fits, Baby D?

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There was only one problem. The basketball games usually ended after Baby Dunks-a-Lot’s bedtime.

Baby Dunksa-Lot is in his bag tonight!

We can’t find his pacifier.

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Baby Dunks-a-Lot could get pretty grumpy when he didn’t sleep enough.

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There’s no biting in basketball!

I’m sorry, but we don’t think a baby is ready to be a professional basketball player.

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But the next game is the championship. The team needs him!

Okay, one last game. But that’s it!

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The Ballers were losing by one point in the championship game. And there were only five seconds left!

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We need a plan. I want everyone to stay focused.

Um, I’m not sure Baby Dunks-a-Lot is very focused right now . . .

Wait! I have an idea . . .

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It seemed impossible. No one had ever tried a half-court dunk before. But, with a little help from his teammate . . .

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. . . Baby Dunks-a-Lot made the greatest dunk in history! THE BALLERS WIN!!

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The championship celebration was so much fun!

The family decided that Baby Dunks-a-Lot could play basketball again when he was a little older.

In the meantime, he still dunked a lot with his new friends.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

The art in this book was created digitally.

Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-1-4197-7146-0

Book design by Melissa Nelson Greenberg

This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.

Published in 2024 by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

Printed and bound in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Abrams Books for Young Readers are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com or the address below.

Abrams® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

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