Kadir Nelson is a highly acclaimed painter and the illustrator of many books for young readers, including the Caldecott Medal winner The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander; the New York Times bestseller We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor as well as the Sibert Medal; Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, which was an NAACP Image Award winner, Caldecott Honor Book, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner. His work has appeared in many publications, including Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. Kadir's original paintings are in the permanent collections of the US House of Representatives and the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of African American History and Culture. A recipient of the Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, he has also been inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. He lives in Southern California.

* "Jam-packed with well-researched historical context, each chapter is compelling.... A backboard-shattering slam dunk."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A New York Times bestseller
A USA TODAY bestseller
A Kids Indie Next Pick
An Amazon best book of the month

Praise for We Are the Ship:

Winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Award
A New York Times bestseller

"Nelson continues to top himself with each new book." --Kirkus Reviews

"Pitch-perfect history of Negro League Baseball. " --Horn Book

"The stories and artwork contained here are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers." --Booklist

"An engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages." --School Library Journal

"One need not be a baseball fan to enjoy this book." --Library Media Connection

"[Basket Ball] paints people, places and endeavors relegated to oblivion's sidelines back onto the hardwood.... Each of Nelson's portraits sends up a little praise song."--The New York Times

* "Nelson's detailed but very readable text is illustrated with a series of riveting oil paintings of key figures, including outstanding players in the sport's history. This handsome, informative volume belongs in many sports collections."--Booklist, starred review

"Nelson brings his sports fandom and verve--and always impressive oil paintings--to the history of basketball. Every spread of this dazzlingly illustrated work includes dynamic imagery."--Horn Book

* "Like the sport it so wonderfully chronicles, Basket Ball soars, capturing readers' hearts with understanding and respect for this great American game."--BookPage, starred review

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2026-01-13

Length: 102 pages