Today's theme is BASEBALL!
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| The William Hoy Story, by Nancy Churnin and Jez Tuya Also reviewed by Vivian Kirkfield |
Illustrated by Jez Tuya
Albert Whitman & Company, 2016
Ages 5-8, 620L
Themes:
Biography, Disability, Nonfiction,Sports
Opening:
"William Scooped dust to dry the sweat off his slick rubber ball. He stared at the small X he'd chalked on the barn wall. He closed his eyes. He opened them and threw. Bam! He hit the mark. He stepped back so he could try again."
Thoughts:
William Hoy loved playing ball. He was an outstanding athlete. He made it all the way to the major leagues, but when he got there he discovered there was a communication problem. Hoy invented a system of signals for the base coaches and the umpire.
William also happened to be deaf. His hand signals improved game play for both hearing and deaf players, and made it easier for the spectators to see what was happening.
I'm not sure how much of this is urban legend, but William Hoy was a great baseball player, and hand signals did improve the game for everyone. The story points out some of the challenges Hoy faced as well as his accomplishments. The folk-art style compliments the mood of the story. The text is a bit straightforward, but well-organized. Great for classrooms and at home.
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| The Kid From Diamond Street, by Audrey Vernick and Steven Salerno Also reviewed by Beth Anderson |
Illustrated by Steven Salerno
Clarion, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016
Ages 4-7, 40 pp, 880L
Themes:
Biography, Nonfiction, Sports
Opening:
"Born into a Philadelphia family in 1912, Edith was the youngest of ten kids. Nearly as soon as she could walk, Edith was playing ball with her big brothers and neighbors."
Thoughts:
Edith Houghton started playing professional baseball when she was 10 years old. She practiced hard, traveled the world, and followed her dreams. Sport-a-phobes and baseball fans alike will cheer for this plucky kid from Philadelphia.
I loved this inspiring and empowering peek at the life of a famous teen. The MC feels like an authentic, yet extraordinary young girl. This book is a great example of using available data to create a flowing story while sticking to the facts. Bouncing text. Fun, animated illustration style.
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| Queen of the Diamond, by Emily Arnold McCully |
Written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 2015
Ages 5-8, 460L
Themes:
Biography, Sports, History, Nonfiction
Opening:
In 1900, baseball was America's national pastime. No other form of entertainment came close. Every boy owned a ball, a glove, and a dream.
Thoughts:
Lizzie Murphy was a better baseball player than most of the boys she knew. Decades before Edith Houghton played on a girls pro team, Lizzie was playing for two different amateur boys' teams, eventually moving to the pros. She played in All-Star games and batted against Satchel Paige. Lizzie didn't just play, she earned a living. A worthwhile biography with jaunty, expressive text and lively illustrations.
Bonus:
Check out these and other Perfect Picture books at your local library.
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| Reviewed by Kirsten |
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| Reviewed by Maria |
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| Reviewed by Erik |
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| Reviewed by Kirsten |
