Friday, April 29, 2016

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!*

Finding engaging nonfiction books for children can sometimes be challenging. Fear not because Sports Illustrated Kids has hit it out of the park with these latest releases ... and just in time for for baseball season! 

Soooo ...  let's play ball!

My First Book of Baseball: A Rookie Book by Beth Bugler and Mark Bechtel. Illustrated by Bill Hinds. Time Inc. Books, 2016. $11.95. For ages 3-6.

Introduce the youngest fans and "wanna be" players to the game with this eye-catching baseball book. Cleverly illustrated with photos of real-life players, children are guided by a humorous cartoon-like youngster through the game from start to finish. Basic facts, such as the object of the game, how points are scored, the roles of the players, and more, are clearly presented. Definitions for terms like "Strike Zone" are woven into the clear and readable narrative. The book's stunning and colorful, two-page spreads make great use of the book's horizontal format and really enhance its accessibility. This is sure to be a "hit" with sports fans young and old. A recommended purchase.


Baseball Then to WOW! The Editors of Sports Illustrated Kids. Time Inc. Books, 2016. $19.95.For ages 6-14.

This fascinating book about the history and evolution of one of America's most popular games is perfectly "pitched" to a wide range of readers and packed with amazing photos, illustrations, timelines, chronologies and tidbits of information. Children will learn about the evolution of the rules, legendary players, the development of the players' uniforms (catcher's mitts were originally fingerless and 1880s players wore ties), and more.

The amazing two-page spreads and succinct writing enable children to take in the information at a glance. Young fans, newcomers, and those who like almanacs and sports records-style books, will spend hours pouring over this amazing book. Reluctant readers are sure to find this engaging and accessible.  Highly recommended!

Thanks to Blue Slip Media  for allowing me to review the books.

*My blog title is taken from that classic American song, Take me out to the Ballgame by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Titzer.




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