Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ode to America's pastime hits it out of the park.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
BASEBALL IS... offers an affectionate, comprehensive look at all the elements of the sport from the big leagues to Little League to backyard pickup games, from the point of view of both the players and the fans. And there's plenty on the field as Babe Ruth watches a homer soar, Jackie Robinson slides into home, and Roberto Clemente grabs a fly ball in the outfield. Ballpark builders get their due, as do the announcers, the bat boy, the scoreboard, umpires, the Negro League, and the women's leagues. A few fun historical facts are dotted throughout, as well.
Is It Any Good?
This is a wonderful ode to America's pastime told in spare, poetic text and textured colored pencil and watercolor illustrations. There's action in the stands, as vendors hawk their snacks and souvenirs, fans cheer and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and a kid catches a ball in his gloved hand. The spare, poetic text turns lists of elements such as the lineup, innings, plays (the bunt, steal, walk, RBI, error, pop fly, grand slam), and balls (fastball, curve ball, knuckle ball, slider) into evocative collective memory.
Raúl Colón's warm illustrations capture the love of the game, the emotion of the shared experience, and the joy of watching a game where anything can happen at any given moment. Author Louise Borden notes, "It's a game of seconds, / and minutes / and hours... / and it's a game never stopped by a clock."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about baseball. What's fun about playing or watching it?
Do you think the author and illustrator capture the feel of baseball? What's your favorite image in the book?
What does baseball mean to you? Make your own list of "Baseball is...."
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Raúl Colón
- Genre : Sports
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date : February 18, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 7 - 10
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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