Teko Bernard
Teko Bernard, a graphic designer turned author, has created several standout titles including Bernard's Big Leap — a laugh-out-loud adventure about self-confidence, courage, and discovering that the best version of yourself doesn't come in a box. Drawing from over 30 years of visual storytelling and a lifelong love of the game, Teko brings basketball, creativity, and heart into every page. Known for his sharp design eye and characters kids actually see themselves in, Teko turns every reader into a believer — on and off the court.
The Story Behind the Story
Teko grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas, where basketball wasn't just a sport — it was a language. Basketball, stories, and the imagination, freedom and space to create were the three things that shaped him. Those weren't hobbies — they were the foundation that carried him from a small Kansas town to Kansas City, where he spent 30 years honing his craft as a professional designer and later a writer. He played college hoops until a career-ending injury his freshman year, but the principles he'd already built his life on never left him. He created Hoop Kid to give kids what he had — because he knows firsthand what those three things can build.
What Makes His Books Different
Teko creates adventure-driven stories that sneak the important stuff in through the side door. While kids are busy laughing and turning pages, they're quietly absorbing lessons about self-worth, accountability, resourcefulness, and empathy — things no worksheet can teach. His books meet reluctant readers exactly where they are and walk them somewhere bigger.
Proven Impact
Teko's books have been featured in Boys & Girls Clubs of America's The Big Game: Dribble, Pass, Read and DeMar DeRozan's Slam Dunk Book Club. Through his Basketball Book Party program, schools and organizations nationwide use his books to celebrate reading, creativity, and play — creating a shared experience that connects kids, coaches, and educators around stories that matter.