Kareem From Brooklyn
For early learners · Ages 3–6

Kareem From Brooklyn

by A.A. Glover

Kareem is 3, and he has a big, big smile. But when the kids at school won’t let him play, his smile gets small. With a hug from Mommy and some wise words from Grandpa George on the basketball court, Kareem learns that the best way to make a friend is to be one.

Hardcover coming soon

Sing “The Brooklyn Way”
The cover of Kareem From Brooklyn: Kareem, a smiling boy with bushy hair in an orange T-shirt and blue jeans, holds a basketball on a Brooklyn basketball court at sunset. For Early Learners.

Meet Kareem’s Family

Kareem lives on a sunny block in Brooklyn, New York, with brownstones, stoops and yellow taxis going by.

Kareem smiling with his arms open wide on a Brooklyn sidewalk, in his orange T-shirt and white sneakers.

Kareem

A 3-year-old with a big, big smile

Farell, Kareem’s father, in a navy cap and black hoodie, hugging a laughing Kareem on an indoor basketball court.

Farell

Kareem’s father and his biggest fan

Grandpa George, a tall man with a beard in a blue plaid shirt and navy vest, holding Kareem’s hand.

Grandpa George

Walks Kareem to school and teaches him basketball

Kareem’s mommy, with big curly hair and a denim jacket, kneeling with her arms open to hug Kareem.

Mommy

Always there with a big hug

Malik, a smiling boy in a green T-shirt and tan pants, sitting on a park bench.

Malik

Kareem’s new friend

Age3 years old
HomeBrooklyn, New York
SchoolThe Little Acorn Preschool
LovesBasketball, books and his big, big smile!
Sing with Kareem

The Brooklyn Way

A kids hip-hop song about saying hi and letting everybody play. Dribble, dribble, bounce, bounce!

Watch Kareem, Grandpa George, Mommy and Malik in the music video!

Or just listen and sing along!

Intro

Yeah! Brooklyn!
Kareem in the house, let’s go!

Verse 1

Wake up early, sun shine gold,
Grandpa holds my hand, we stroll.
Brownstones, stoops, a yellow cab,
Off to school, I’m glad, glad, glad!
I wave hello to all my crew,
But no one waves back… what do I do?

Chorus

I’m Kareem, Kareem from Brooklyn!
Big, big smile, that’s how I’m lookin’!
Say hi! Ask, “Wanna play?”
Everybody in, that’s the Brooklyn way!

Verse 2

Built a tower, asked to play,
They said “No!” so I walked away.
Mommy hugged me, held me tight,
Said, “It’s okay, we’ll make it right.”
Then Grandpa smiled and passed the ball,
Swish! I jumped up big and tall!

Verse 3

Grandpa said, “Here’s what you do,
Find a kid who’s lonely too.”
Saw Malik sitting on his own,
I said, “Hey! You’re not alone!”
Bounced the ball, he caught it, yes!
Now we’re friends, we’re the best!

Bridge

Dribble, dribble! (Bounce! Bounce!)
Shoot it high! (Swish! Swish!)
Make a friend! (High five!)
Everybody try! (Try! Try!)

Outro

Everyone can play!
That’s the Brooklyn way!
Everyone can play!
That’s the Brooklyn way!
Kareem from Brooklyn! Yeah!

Kareem cheering with his arms up on the playground while Malik claps and three more kids walk over to play.
From the book

Kareem’s Friend Tips

  1. Say hi!
  2. Look for a kid who is all alone.
  3. Ask, “Do you want to play?”
  4. Share your ball.
  5. Let everyone play!
For grown-ups and kids

Let’s Talk!

Questions to ask after reading together.

  • How did Kareem feel when no one played with him?
  • What did Grandpa tell Kareem?
  • How did Kareem help Malik?
  • How can you be a good friend?
Grandpa George kneeling on the basketball court, talking gently with Kareem, who holds a basketball.
In a riverside village at sunset, a smiling Native American grandmother with long gray braids shows colorful beads to Kareem and two Native American children, beside a garden of corn and pumpkins, a hand drum, and dome-shaped bark houses.
Book 2 · Coming soon

Kareem Has a Dream

Kareem has a big, big dream. He dreams of visiting a Native American community and learning about their way of life.

Kareem’s next story is on the way. Check back here to find out when it’s ready!

More friends to meet

Annika in her yellow raincoat on a spring path. Meet Annika!Grow a garden in Sweden with Annika and Pelle the hedgehog, and sing “Annika’s Rose.”Visit annikasgarden.store → Little Amy holding Lizzy, her green lizard. Meet Little Amy!Sing “Duck, Duck, Turtle, Goose!” and spell along with Amy and Lizzy the lizard.Visit littleamy.store → Gina, a smiling cave girl, counting beads by the fire with Mr. Turtle. Meet Gina!Dance and count with Gina, a little girl from long, long ago, in The Beginning of Dance and The Beginning of Math with Gina.Visit beginningofdance.com →