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Inhale, Exhale...Shoot!

$20.00

*Continue to checkout by clicking the cart icon in the upper right-hand corner of the website.

Inhale, Exhale...Shoot! follows Kunall the Pelican, a talented young basketball player who loves the game—but when it’s time to take the big shot, anxiety creeps in. His wings tremble, his belly tightens, and his mind fills with doubt. What if he misses? What if everyone is watching?

Set in the colorful heart of New Orleans, this beautifully illustrated picture book offers more than just a story about sports.

“Inhale, Exhale...Shoot! is a powerful tool for helping children understand and manage big feelings through the familiar and inspiring language of basketball. Holly MacKenna and her twelve-year-old daughter, Maeve Graffagnini, beautifully blend mindfulness and movement, offering young readers practical strategies for both the court and everyday life. The vibrant illustrations bring each lesson to life, making complex emotions accessible and engaging for kids. With its focus on Trust, Exuberance, Adaptability, and Mindfulness, this book is a valuable resource for any parent, teacher, or coach looking to nurture confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being in children.”—Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, a Naismith Hall of Fame coach, a five-time national champion at Duke University, and a six-time gold medalist as head coach of the US Men’s National Team

Donate a copy of Inhale, Exhale…Shoot!All donated books will be distributed to children in need through one of our trusted nonprofit partners- First Book, Reading Partners, Baldwin & Co. Story Time, Melba’s, and Friends of the New Orleans Public Library. We will work with them to ensure that every donated copy of Inhale, Exhale…Shoot! goes directly into the hands of children who will benefit from its message of mindfulness and resilience.To donate a book, click here.

*Continue to checkout by clicking the cart icon in the upper right-hand corner of the website.

Inhale, Exhale...Shoot! follows Kunall the Pelican, a talented young basketball player who loves the game—but when it’s time to take the big shot, anxiety creeps in. His wings tremble, his belly tightens, and his mind fills with doubt. What if he misses? What if everyone is watching?

Set in the colorful heart of New Orleans, this beautifully illustrated picture book offers more than just a story about sports.

“Inhale, Exhale...Shoot! is a powerful tool for helping children understand and manage big feelings through the familiar and inspiring language of basketball. Holly MacKenna and her twelve-year-old daughter, Maeve Graffagnini, beautifully blend mindfulness and movement, offering young readers practical strategies for both the court and everyday life. The vibrant illustrations bring each lesson to life, making complex emotions accessible and engaging for kids. With its focus on Trust, Exuberance, Adaptability, and Mindfulness, this book is a valuable resource for any parent, teacher, or coach looking to nurture confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being in children.”—Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski, a Naismith Hall of Fame coach, a five-time national champion at Duke University, and a six-time gold medalist as head coach of the US Men’s National Team

Donate a copy of Inhale, Exhale…Shoot!All donated books will be distributed to children in need through one of our trusted nonprofit partners- First Book, Reading Partners, Baldwin & Co. Story Time, Melba’s, and Friends of the New Orleans Public Library. We will work with them to ensure that every donated copy of Inhale, Exhale…Shoot! goes directly into the hands of children who will benefit from its message of mindfulness and resilience.To donate a book, click here.

  • September 23, 2025

    9798989403493,

    Hardcover Picture Book

    $19.99 USD

    Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings 

    Ages 4 to 8, Grades K to 3

    32 pages

    8.5 in H | 8.5 in W

  • Inhale, Exhale...Shoot! follows Kunall the Pelican, a talented young basketball player who loves the game—but when it’s time to take the big shot, anxiety creeps in. His wings tremble, his belly tightens, and his mind fills with doubt. What if he misses? What if everyone is watching?

    Set in the colorful heart of New Orleans, this beautifully illustrated picture book offers more than just a story about sports. It gently introduces children to mindfulness and breathwork as tools for managing stress, self-doubt, and performance anxiety—on the court and in everyday life. With encouragement from his coach and support from his teammates, Kunall learns to center himself, take a deep breath, and trust in his abilities.

    Perfect for children ages 4–8, especially those who experience anxiety, love sports, or need a calming reminder to breathe through big emotions. Inhale, Exhale...Shoot! is an inspiring story of resilience, emotional awareness, and the power of staying present.