And The Winner Is¿ [Hardcover]

Ll Cool J (Author), Jib Jab Media (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002 | Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Hipkidhop

Rap and read along with today's freshest hip-hop artists--the poets of a new generation--as they impart positive life lessons. An original CD recording of the song is packaged with each book.

In AND THE WINNER IS... a young basketball player learns the importance of both winning and losing gracefully. By exploring themes of good sportsmanship, humility, and belief in oneself, LL Cool J's story reveals the invaluable lessons that apply both on and off the court.
The powerful messages of the text and the original, unforgettable songs will resonate with kids in a fun, hip, and educational way.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

These two titles launch the HipKidHop series 7x7, paper-over-board books packaged with CD singles presenting messages worth rappin' about. The lyrics of each song form the text, which appears against a backdrop of full-bleed cartoon art. On the CDs, these popular performers sing their songs in mild, melodic rap, backed up by the appealing voices of youngsters. After completing the songs, each rapper urges listeners to sing the lyrics themselves, accompanied by the music and background sound effects. In the first title, a new kid in school, Zack, is "the talk of the class because he was black." Zack sits next to a cool white kid named John ("The school that they went to was mostly white,/ and because of their differences the vibe wasn't right"). While trying out for the basketball team, the two tussle and the coach keeps them after school. The slick artwork shows the boys writing on the blackboard the song's mantra ("Your worst enemy could be your best friend, so think again"); predictably, the two do become best friends. In the second book, "I never give up" is the refrain, as LL Cool J offers a lesson on the basketball court in how to be both a good winner and a good loser ("When you heard the winners cheering, you wished they understood,/ How hurt you felt when they felt so good"). Here, computer-aided artwork superimposes photos of the rapper's head on cartoon renditions of a player's body, which makes for some jarring juxtapositions. Although the lyrics may work better on the CDs than on the page, these wise morals bear repeating in print or in song. Ages 7-10. (Sept.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cartwheel (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439389119
• ISBN-13: 978-0439389112
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,157,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sportsmanship, September 13, 2002

By 

Lois (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: And The Winner Is¿ (Hardcover)

Good to see a rapper promoting sportsmanship as a winner or as a loser. I'm a teacher and I opened the school year with this book because the message is such a positive one. I also like it because the boys in my class (3rd grade) pick it up and read it and play the CD. It goes well with "Think Again" book.

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars who are you kidding???, October 22, 2002

By 

Joy Devor "Joy" (Far Rockaway, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: And The Winner Is¿ (Hardcover)

I cannot believe this book is being marketed to 9-12 year olds! There are like 5 words on each page! I showed it to my 11 year old son when I bought it and he laughed...my six year old wanted the book AND the CD. If you want it for a little kid, fine, but don't think it's for a 9-12 year old.

5.0 out of 5 stars It Doesnt Matter If You Win or Lose, June 22, 2003

By 

TheRAWKidzReview - See all my reviews

This review is from: And The Winner Is¿ (Hardcover)

In this book, rapper/actor LL Cool J stresses the importance of good sportsmanship. The book shows a series of handsome, yet funny cartoon caricatures of LL Cool J being egotistical when winning and being down and depressed when he loses. He then tells the moral; regardless of whether you win or lose, having the right attitude makes you a winner every time. The books comes with a compact disc that has LL Cool J rapping the words of the story and encouraging kids to never give up.

This is an excellent book that I would highly recommend for children. It uses a popular entertainer to present a very valuable lesson. Kids will enjoy the compact disc that allows younger readers to follow the story while older readers will enjoy the opportunity to read/rap along.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers