Bouncy: The Basketball That Couldn’t Bounce
5 Star Review from Readers Favorite - "Jim and Brenda Jones have written a charmingly clever picture book story about a basketball that couldn't bounce. "Bouncy: The Basketball That Couldn't Bounce" follows the story of a basketball that couldn't do what basketballs were supposed to do - he couldn't bounce. Presenting this dilemma with the basketball as the main character is a unique way to introduce young readers to the concept of differences and that's it's okay to be different. Cal was just as unique as Bouncy in this story. Why? Because Cal sees the potential in Bouncy and is forever encouraging Bouncy with: "You're the one and only you! Soon we'll find what you can do!" There are multiple lessons presented in this little gem of a book: accepting and appreciating differences, not giving up, encouraging others - and I'm sure you can find other valuable lessons, too. Beautifully told with exquisite illustrations. Loved it!" - Emily-Jane Hills Orford - Readers' Favorite
“Bouncy: The Basketball that Couldn’t Bounce” is the perfect race for readers of all ages, as it shows that for every shortfall a person (or toy/object” has, not giving up and seeking out the true gifts which lie within is what can bring a much brighter tomorrow. - Rosie Malezer
Bouncy and The Power of Yet
Take a jump with Speedy and learn "The Power of Yet" in this fun Children's Picture Book that focuses on growth mindset. Speedy is a remote control car that is trying to overcome his fears of jumping over his ramp. “My box said I jump ramps, but I’m too scared! What if I crash? What if my wheels come off and everybody laughs at me?!!” Speedy explains. Bouncy and Yeti help Speedy realize he just doesn’t know how to jump the ramp YET, but he can learn. In this empowering Children's Picture Book, children learn The Power of Yet, which is the key to having a Growth Mindset. Children need to feel it's ok to make mistakes and to feel nervous, anxious or scared when trying new things. It's ok to fail, just keep trying. This book has been designed to help children realize they are special and they can learn over time with effort.
We have even created a plush Yeti to go along with this book. Brenda has had a Yeti in her classroom for years as a symbol to her students that “you just haven’t learned it YET”. Having the plush Yeti has helped her to develop a Growth Mindset in her students. They learn perseverance and how to breakdown a task so they can learn it. You just don’t know it yet, but you can learn it over time with effort. Just stick with it.
Bouncy and Cal’s Big Show
In “Bouncy and Cal’s Big Show”, the third book in the Bouncy and Friends series, the reader finds Cal and Bouncy struggling to create a fun basketball routine for the school Talent Show. Cal’s mom shares with them the Power Behind the Yet that helps learning the new routine a “piece of cake”. It works, but then the night of the BIG SHOW they lose the piece of cake. Can Speedy and Yeti come to the rescue and get the piece of cake to the school before Bouncy and Cal’s Big Show?
In this fun and exciting picture book children discover the Power Behind the Yet and a secret tip on how to make learning a “piece of cake”. This book will help kids develop a Growth Mindset and perseverance by teaching them how to break down a task into smaller pieces.
Brenda and I want kids to know that they are important and they can learn. It is ok to struggle. You just don’t know it YET! Break it down and take it one piece at a time
“Bouncy and Friends” – Children’s book series that captures kids hearts
When the pandemic started my wife, Brenda, looked at me and said “You need to do something. How many teachers over the years have asked you to write a book about your personal story? Take this time and use it as a blessing to make a difference for people. You can’t visit them in schools now, but you can write to them through books!”
Well, I listened to her and wrote my first book about the life lessons I learned growing up in Special Education and to honor her I named the book “Do Something”. Schools have used this book for a staff book study and it has been the catalyst for my new professional development talk to teachers and administrators – “The 8 Keys to Instilling a Growth Mindset in Students”.
My wife loved the messages in my first book “Do Something” and suggested we develop a children’s book series that support these messages. We sat on our deck under the gazebo and brainstormed. That is how we created our first children’s book “Bouncy: The Basketball That Couldn’t Bounce”. We wanted to have “Bouncy”, the main character, to have a challenge or disability that he would have to work through, work with or work around to became his best version of himself. But we also wanted Cal, the boy that finds Bouncy, to see past Bouncy’s challenges and see the good in Bouncy. Cal would empathize, but also inspire Bouncy to keep moving forward and don’t let his challenges limit Bouncy. From our first book, we wrote two more Children’s books to extend and expand the Growth Mindset message.
So, we took a chance when our world turned upside down to team up and start writing children’s books that help share positive messages in a fun way. That has always been the theme of my school assembly programs - to deliver a powerful message in a fun and engaging format. Together, Brenda and I have been able to extend that theme into our three children’s books. It has been a journey that involved developing a creative team from all over the world to truly make a magical reading experience for kids. Brenda is an award winning educator with over 32 years of teaching experience. Her expertise and knowledge of working with early readers has been instrumental in developing this book series. We hope our books bring happiness to kids as they fall in love not only with Bouncy, but with reading.
Check out the book that started it all:
