Review Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewed by Doreen for Readers’ Favorite

“My Papa Plays Pickleball is a heartwarming children's picture book written by Ashley K. with illustrations by Nejla Shojaie. The story follows Oliver, an adventurous boy who loves to do whatever his Papa does. One day, while visiting his Papa, Oliver joins him in the driveway for a game of pickleball. Although he is unfamiliar with the rules, Oliver gradually learns how to play, even though he finds it challenging at first. His Papa patiently guides him on how to hit the ball and encourages him not to give up. Soon, Oliver begins to understand the game better and even shows off some impressive moves. When they meet again, Oliver is ready to challenge Papa to a match on the court.

My Papa Plays Pickleball is a delightful story that encourages children to try new things and spend quality time with their loved ones. Children will be introduced to the game of pickleball and learn the basics of how to play it. The book conveys important lessons on perseverance, friendship, and family bonding, emphasizing the value of patience and sharing knowledge. There is something truly beautiful about the connection between a grandparent and a grandchild as they create lasting memories through shared activities. Ashley K. beautifully captures this special relationship and the excitement of learning new skills. The colorful illustrations bring the story to life, and I loved the small details in the art like the red lobster, birds that appear in the pages, and Papa's hat that shares the profound message about believing. This is a wonderful story, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Great work!”