This is an inspirational and contemporary story of a young, African-American girl who goes to visit her grandma for a family reunion. While there, she tries to become the family hoops star. She wonders if she has the skill and the will. The story presents subtle, everyday events that teach life lessons.

Author Biography

Kimberly A. Gordon Biddle is a lover of books. Her nose was always in a book, when she was younger. She still loves to read, when she gets the chance, and she also loves to write. She has co-authored a textbook on early childhood education and is under contract to co-author one about child development careers. LaDonna Plays Hoops is her first book of fiction. This picture book was born in the 1980's and has grown and matured. Seeing the book come to life is a realized dream for Kimberly. For her day job, she is a professor of child development. Kimberly is also a member of the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She is also a loving wife to her husband and a loving mother to her son. She currently lives in the Nor Cal area of California. She has a BA in Psychology and Music and a PhD in Child and Adolescent Development. Heath {James} Gray was born in West Auckland, New Zealand. Heath Gray has had a passion for illustration from the time he could pick up a pencil. He started out as a sign writer from the age of fifteen. Attended a graphic design course at Auckland University of Technology, {AUT.} Heath worked as a 2d character animator for eight years, where he trained under a Disney animator, {John Ewing.} Here he worked on television shows for Disney, and Warner Bros. Heath Gray also worked on many New Zealand TV series, and commercials. { And directed two of these TV commercials.} Heath has dedicated his life to illustration, and specializes in children's book, and cartoon illustrations. There is nothing else Heath Gray would rather do than illustration, except perhaps travel the world in a Hot air balloon. To view more of Heath Gray's illustration work, Feel free to go to Deviant Art, where Heath Gray also goes under the alias Name, verbarlin. http: //www.deviantart.com/browse/all/?section=&global=1&q=verbarlin