Oliver's Game

by Matt Tavares

Author-illustrator Matt Tavares hits the ball out of the park with a luminously illustrated tale about the joy of baseball, generational bonds, and the immutable power of dreams.

Oliver Hall loves baseball. He loves the ritual of helping out in his grandfather’s store, Hall’s Nostalgia, and he loves listening to Grandpa Hall’s innumerable baseball stories. But one day, Oliver makes a startling discovery. It seems his grandfather has kept one very special story a his own. With stunning black-and-white and sepia-tone illustrations and a heartwarming narrative, Matt Tavares portrays one man’s lifelong love of the game, and the enduring legacy he passes on to his grandchild.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Baseball, Historical Fiction, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 23, 2004

About the author

Matt Tavares was born in Boston, and grew up surrounded by books and reading. From the time he was very young, his mother read to him every night, and his family made countless trips to the public library. Years later, as a studio art major at Bates College, he rediscovered his love for picture books, and decided to try to make his own.

For his senior thesis project, Matt wrote and illustrated a story called Sebastian's Ball, which eventually became Zachary's Ball, Matt's first published picture book. Zachary's Ball went on to win a Massachusetts Book Award Honor, and was named one of Yankee Magazine's 40 Classic New England Children's Books.

Since then, Matt has published eighteen more books and has won several awards, including three Parents' Choice Gold Awards, an Orbis Pictus Honor, and two ALA Notable books. His artwork has been exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration, the Brandywine River Museum, and the Mazza Museum of Picture Book Art.

When Matt's not working in his studio on his latest book project, he travels the country speaking (and drawing) at schools, libraries, conferences, and bookstores. He has presented at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Eric Carle Museum, the White House Easter Egg Roll, and he's even done a few book signings at Fenway Park.

Matt lives in Maine with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters.

Reviews

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shared this awesome historical fiction picture book with my students the day after the Cubs won the World Series. The youngster in the story, Oliver, visits his grandfather's nostalgia shop across the street from Wrigley Field. Upon discovering a Cubs uniform from the 1940s, he listens as his grandfather tells the story of the day he got to practice with the Cubs and how close he got to realizing his dreams of a career in the Big Leagues. We had a great discussion of the wonderful messages in this book about the importance of everyone involved in the game of baseball and in life, and how we deal with adversity. The brown and white illustrations are awesome and helped make this book a big hit with my students.

[Alicia Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got all teary-eyed on this one as I considered the immeasurable and unknown personal sacrifices made by so many in WW II. My kids really enjoyed the story and were truly captivated. Reading this gave us the opportunity to discuss baseball, WW II, and the role of baseball in American life particularly in the time of economic recovery from the depression.

Other books that gave me a similar feel about personal and family sacrifice were Marvin of the Great North Woods, Aunt Minnie McGranahan, A Day's Work by Eve Bunting, Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, and The Journey by Francesca Sanna.

[Nole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun baseball story. I would like to use this as part of my sports and resilience text set which covers athletes who are presented challenges they must overcome. I think that I could also discuss ways Oliver took his situation and made the best of it.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oliver loves Hall's Nostalgia, listening to his Grandpa's stories, baseball and the Cubs! When a customer requests an item, Oliver is sent to Granpa's storage closet. What he discovers will lead him to a discovery that he never imagined. In 1941 the Cubs were getting ready to play the Cardinals. While the Cubs were practicing,.. a game of stickball was being played outside of his Grandpa's home. What became a homerun led to once in a lifetime invitation. Yet, there was an important world event that changed the course of so many lives... America was at war!

The beauty of generational stories is what leads the next generation forward. For a time, such as this, a story of baseball could provide a thread to the weaving of a family's tapestry of life. What better journey could a Read Aloud provide?
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an old uniform is found, a grandfather relates the bittersweet story of its origin.
Gorgeous pencil illustrations and a story that tugs at the heart.

[Rachel Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Oliver's Game" is the fictional story of young Oliver Hall who enjoys helping out in his grandfather's sports memorabilia store. One day, Oliver's grandfather sends him on a search for an item for a customer. While digging deeply into a closet, Oliver discovers a Chicago Cubs uniform from the 1940's. Oliver comes to learn how his grandfather had a rare opportunity at eighteen to try out for the Cubs, but was derailed by the onset of World War II. The grandfather is wounded at Guadalcanal, thus ending his hopes of a career in baseball. In the end, Oliver and his grandfather go up to the roof of the store, which has a bird's-eye view of Wrigley Field to take in a game.
I have been a Red Sox fan since the age of nine, and would have thoroughly enjoyed Matt Tavares' gorgeously illustrated and lovingly written elegies to childhood and baseball. "Oliver's Game" can touch students on many levels, whether through a love of the game, as a tale of family connection, or as an example of the effects of war on the citizens who gave so much to fight for their country.

[Ashley Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oliver's Game is a great book to use when talking with children (4-5) about thier dreams. This book can be used to talk about how children can reach their dreams and also things that might get in the way of their dreams and goals.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful baseball title from Matt Tavares. This one is not to be missed for its inter-generational approach and subject matter. This one is a pretty book inside and out.

[Reza Aleeya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it. The illustration caught my eye. A wonderful story for kids 💗