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Mitchell
Mitchell Goes Bowling
Battle on! Head to the lanes for another hilarious, high-energy story as four-year-old Mitchell and his obliging dad strike a winning deal.
Mitchell liked to knock things down.
That’s just how he rolled.
One Saturday, when Mitchell almost knocks down his dad, his dad catches him and puts him in the car. And when they step into the bowling alley, Mitchell feels right at home. Pizza! Giant crashing noises! Special shoes! But as Mitchell picks up the biggest ball and quickly learns the word gutter, and when Dad does a little kick with his leg and earns a big X on the scoreboard, Mitchell starts to get peevish. How can Mitchell get a chance to do a steamin’-hot-potato-dance too? With wit, warmth, and comedic charm, Hallie Durand and Tony Fucile roll another strike with this tale of a lovably rambunctious child and his doting dad.
Mitchell liked to knock things down.
That’s just how he rolled.
One Saturday, when Mitchell almost knocks down his dad, his dad catches him and puts him in the car. And when they step into the bowling alley, Mitchell feels right at home. Pizza! Giant crashing noises! Special shoes! But as Mitchell picks up the biggest ball and quickly learns the word gutter, and when Dad does a little kick with his leg and earns a big X on the scoreboard, Mitchell starts to get peevish. How can Mitchell get a chance to do a steamin’-hot-potato-dance too? With wit, warmth, and comedic charm, Hallie Durand and Tony Fucile roll another strike with this tale of a lovably rambunctious child and his doting dad.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2013
About the author
Hallie Durand
10 books16 followersHallie Durand (the pen name for Holly M. McGhee) began writing in 2007 and has published the Dessert First chapter book trilogy, two picture books about a boy named Mitchell (Mitchell's License & Mitchell Goes Bowling), and another picture book about her son Marshall (Catch That Cookie!).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
May 31, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
When a family member goes crazy, bipping and bopping all around, where they are loud and nutty, demanding and wanting attention. . .there is a perfect person in the family dynamic to sweep that crazy nut up and take them off to a place created just for their type of wildness: a bowling alley. That perfect person? A Dad. An Uncle. A Big Brother. A Bowler. (And of course, Moms, Aunts, Big Sisters qualify as well. . . .)
A seriously darling book that has the joy of a guardian bonding with a little one just coming up in the the bowling alley. I am an expert at this, as my father was a Southern California Regional champion in the 60's when I was a toddler and in my early school years. Seeing this book on the libby shelves made my little heart quiver. The kids loved it, and hearing about their great-grandfather slinging that ball down the lanes. The artwork is very bowling stylized, and perfectly sold the message of the author's words.
As we concluded our read, feet stamped off to see if there was a Dad who was interested in . . . you guessed it! Bowling!
When a family member goes crazy, bipping and bopping all around, where they are loud and nutty, demanding and wanting attention. . .there is a perfect person in the family dynamic to sweep that crazy nut up and take them off to a place created just for their type of wildness: a bowling alley. That perfect person? A Dad. An Uncle. A Big Brother. A Bowler. (And of course, Moms, Aunts, Big Sisters qualify as well. . . .)
A seriously darling book that has the joy of a guardian bonding with a little one just coming up in the the bowling alley. I am an expert at this, as my father was a Southern California Regional champion in the 60's when I was a toddler and in my early school years. Seeing this book on the libby shelves made my little heart quiver. The kids loved it, and hearing about their great-grandfather slinging that ball down the lanes. The artwork is very bowling stylized, and perfectly sold the message of the author's words.
As we concluded our read, feet stamped off to see if there was a Dad who was interested in . . . you guessed it! Bowling!
January 13, 2023
Delightful book that centers bowling, a strong father-son bond, and teamwork!
September 28, 2013
Richie's Picks: MITCHELL GOES BOWLING by Hallie Durand and Tony Fucile, ill., Candlewick, September 2013, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-7636-6049-9
"Just keep your eye on the ball, Barney boy."
-- Fred Flintstone, on his way to converting a 7-10 split
"More than 20,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year from injuries suffered at bowling alleys, according to the U.S. Product Safety Commission.
"Injuries range from frequent bowlers suffering tissue damage to kids getting smashed by the heavy ball.
"Here's a common sight at the local alley: The bowler is talking away with someone but has a hand down to catch the ball coming back on the automatic ball return. Paying no attention, eyes elsewhere, the bowler fails to see the ball pop up.
"'Happens all the time,' said Virginia Norton, a former Brunswick Corp. consultant and widely known as one of the area's premier bowling instructors. 'I've seen smashed fingers, broken fingers, broken wrists, just from people not paying attention.
"But smashed faces? Oh yes, she says: "Mostly kids. They put their face right into the return; they're so eager to see their ball come back."
-- Jerry Hicks, LA Times, "Bowling Can Do a Number on Your Body"
"Mitchell ALWAYS knocked things down. That's just how he rolled. He even tried to knock down his dad... (SLAM!)
"But one Saturday when Mitchell was doing his thing, his dad caught him and put him in the car.
"Mitchell didn't know where they were going, but when they got there, he felt right at home.
"There were lots of brightly colored balls, a good pizza smell, and giant crashing noises."
Uh-oh! I just got a dozen pages into this story, and there's Mitchell with his face right down in the ball return! Fortunately, he has good reflexes and dives out of the way (into Dad's arms) when the ball pops out at him.
But Mitchell suffers a growing frustration because his dad has the bowling thing down -- scoring strike after strike (X after X on the scoring screen) -- while Mitchell is doing his best to avoid gutter balls, and is struggling to knock down more than two or three pins at a time. (This, after his acrobatics send the neighboring bowlers scurrying for a new lane elsewhere.)
Fortunately, Dad recognizes that having himself and Mitchell be bowling partners (on the same team) will ease the frustration and make for a more positively memorable experience.
Bowling can, indeed, be a fun social activity. Growing up on Long Island, there were bowling alleys everywhere. I have lots of long-ago memories of bowling with my family and our Sicilian relatives, of bowling with my friends on Saturday afternoons, bowling with high school girlfriends, and lots of experience watching "real" bowlers with their smooth moves and precision. (One of the funnest convention-related publisher parties I've ever attended involved a bowling alley, a bunch of friends -- which, I recall, included Candy and Eric and Yuyi -- and some great refreshments.)
MITCHELL GOES BOWLING is a great introduction to bowling for kids who have never had the opportunity to rent a pair of funny-colored two-tone shoes and send a heavy ball rolling down a lane.
But just keep your face out of that ball return!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
"Just keep your eye on the ball, Barney boy."
-- Fred Flintstone, on his way to converting a 7-10 split
"More than 20,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year from injuries suffered at bowling alleys, according to the U.S. Product Safety Commission.
"Injuries range from frequent bowlers suffering tissue damage to kids getting smashed by the heavy ball.
"Here's a common sight at the local alley: The bowler is talking away with someone but has a hand down to catch the ball coming back on the automatic ball return. Paying no attention, eyes elsewhere, the bowler fails to see the ball pop up.
"'Happens all the time,' said Virginia Norton, a former Brunswick Corp. consultant and widely known as one of the area's premier bowling instructors. 'I've seen smashed fingers, broken fingers, broken wrists, just from people not paying attention.
"But smashed faces? Oh yes, she says: "Mostly kids. They put their face right into the return; they're so eager to see their ball come back."
-- Jerry Hicks, LA Times, "Bowling Can Do a Number on Your Body"
"Mitchell ALWAYS knocked things down. That's just how he rolled. He even tried to knock down his dad... (SLAM!)
"But one Saturday when Mitchell was doing his thing, his dad caught him and put him in the car.
"Mitchell didn't know where they were going, but when they got there, he felt right at home.
"There were lots of brightly colored balls, a good pizza smell, and giant crashing noises."
Uh-oh! I just got a dozen pages into this story, and there's Mitchell with his face right down in the ball return! Fortunately, he has good reflexes and dives out of the way (into Dad's arms) when the ball pops out at him.
But Mitchell suffers a growing frustration because his dad has the bowling thing down -- scoring strike after strike (X after X on the scoring screen) -- while Mitchell is doing his best to avoid gutter balls, and is struggling to knock down more than two or three pins at a time. (This, after his acrobatics send the neighboring bowlers scurrying for a new lane elsewhere.)
Fortunately, Dad recognizes that having himself and Mitchell be bowling partners (on the same team) will ease the frustration and make for a more positively memorable experience.
Bowling can, indeed, be a fun social activity. Growing up on Long Island, there were bowling alleys everywhere. I have lots of long-ago memories of bowling with my family and our Sicilian relatives, of bowling with my friends on Saturday afternoons, bowling with high school girlfriends, and lots of experience watching "real" bowlers with their smooth moves and precision. (One of the funnest convention-related publisher parties I've ever attended involved a bowling alley, a bunch of friends -- which, I recall, included Candy and Eric and Yuyi -- and some great refreshments.)
MITCHELL GOES BOWLING is a great introduction to bowling for kids who have never had the opportunity to rent a pair of funny-colored two-tone shoes and send a heavy ball rolling down a lane.
But just keep your face out of that ball return!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/richie.parti...
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
February 20, 2014
A great book for kids who are trying to learn something new and are frustrated. Four-year-old Mitchell goes bowling for the first time and is having a fun time but he really wants to knock down all the pins like his dad. He gets so frustrated he can't that he wants to leave. His dad suggests that they be on the same team and they toss the ball together.
Tony Fucile is one of my favorite illustrators. He makes me laugh so hard. One of my favorite pages is Mitchell blow drying his hands, then his face, and hair. And the kids howl at Mitchell slipping on the bowling lane. A great example of movement in drawing. Their other favorite is Mitchell running full speed into his dad's leg.
I'm on my 12th read aloud and am still not sick of the story. I'll have to give this as a gift to my grandson. Fun, fun, fun!
Tony Fucile is one of my favorite illustrators. He makes me laugh so hard. One of my favorite pages is Mitchell blow drying his hands, then his face, and hair. And the kids howl at Mitchell slipping on the bowling lane. A great example of movement in drawing. Their other favorite is Mitchell running full speed into his dad's leg.
I'm on my 12th read aloud and am still not sick of the story. I'll have to give this as a gift to my grandson. Fun, fun, fun!
October 9, 2013
First of all, it's nice to have a book about going bowling for kids--don't think there are any other bowling stories!
This is perfectly pitched--and by that I am speaking of sounds/mood, not throwing a baseball! As in Mitchell's License, Durand's understanding of the emotions and feelings of a young child are spot on.
And best of all, Mitchell's dad gets things too--how to channel Mitchell's energies and how to handle his frustrations. Ms Durand is on a roll (sorry) with these characters and I hope there is more Mitchell to come!
This is perfectly pitched--and by that I am speaking of sounds/mood, not throwing a baseball! As in Mitchell's License, Durand's understanding of the emotions and feelings of a young child are spot on.
And best of all, Mitchell's dad gets things too--how to channel Mitchell's energies and how to handle his frustrations. Ms Durand is on a roll (sorry) with these characters and I hope there is more Mitchell to come!
November 1, 2013
I don’t care for series, but this is really good. Father and son get some quality bonding time together through bowling.
October 6, 2018
Mitchell Goes Bowling is a children's picture book written by Hallie Durand and illustrated by Tony Fucile. It is a quaint and humorous book about a four-year-old boy first trip to a bowling alley with his father. It is the second book in the Mitchell series.
Durand's text is simplistic and straightforward. It is a charming book, which depicts a boy's new adventure at a bowling alley and spending quality time with his father. It put a smile on my face as I read the vicissitudes of his adventure at the bowling alley – and his victory dance. Fucile's illustrations are wonderfully depicted and capture the childlike innocence and fun that a bowling alley could offer a four-year-old.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is about a boy named Mitchell, who is rambunctious and likes to knock things down. With that in mind, his father brings him to a place where he can knock down things to his heart's desire – a bowling alley. It is a quaint story about Mitchell and his discovery of a bowling alley and all the difficulties that come with bowling.
All in all, Mitchell Goes Bowling is a wonderful children's book about a boy, his father, and their adventures in a bowling alley.
Durand's text is simplistic and straightforward. It is a charming book, which depicts a boy's new adventure at a bowling alley and spending quality time with his father. It put a smile on my face as I read the vicissitudes of his adventure at the bowling alley – and his victory dance. Fucile's illustrations are wonderfully depicted and capture the childlike innocence and fun that a bowling alley could offer a four-year-old.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is about a boy named Mitchell, who is rambunctious and likes to knock things down. With that in mind, his father brings him to a place where he can knock down things to his heart's desire – a bowling alley. It is a quaint story about Mitchell and his discovery of a bowling alley and all the difficulties that come with bowling.
All in all, Mitchell Goes Bowling is a wonderful children's book about a boy, his father, and their adventures in a bowling alley.
January 22, 2014
This book is awesome!!!!!!!!! Mitchell loves to knock things down so his dad introduces him to the sport of bowling. There's tons of details about the experience including the happy dances bowlers do when they score a strike.
I can't say enough good about this book! There's a great storyline featuring father and son, there's the way the father took a destructive behavior (Mitchell's affinity for knocking things over) and turned it into a constructive activity (bowling), there's the hilarious hot potato dance father and son ham up when they roll a good ball, there's the top-notch digital illustrations of which my favorite was the scene where Mitchell and his dad double high five and their hands are big and little and my heart just melts.
Read this, buy this, share this, it's great!!! PreK-2.
I can't say enough good about this book! There's a great storyline featuring father and son, there's the way the father took a destructive behavior (Mitchell's affinity for knocking things over) and turned it into a constructive activity (bowling), there's the hilarious hot potato dance father and son ham up when they roll a good ball, there's the top-notch digital illustrations of which my favorite was the scene where Mitchell and his dad double high five and their hands are big and little and my heart just melts.
Read this, buy this, share this, it's great!!! PreK-2.
October 18, 2013
Having grown up in a bowling alley where my Dad was the proprietor, this book brought back soooo many memories. The images and words made me remember the sounds and smells that accompany the environment of the lanes. Mitchell's dad was quite clever, patient, and understanding, and Mitchell learned a very important lesson. Bravo to the author!
The illustrator gets kudos as well for capturing the scenes and expressions.
Most people are not familiar with candlepin bowling (that's the 'little' balls) but the lanes and the experiences of being a team are the same. However, getting a strike with candlepin is EVER so much more rewarding:))
The illustrator gets kudos as well for capturing the scenes and expressions.
Most people are not familiar with candlepin bowling (that's the 'little' balls) but the lanes and the experiences of being a team are the same. However, getting a strike with candlepin is EVER so much more rewarding:))
May 20, 2016
I read this book to several Pre-K classes this month, and it was a hit every time. The kids were really rooting for little four year Mitchell during his quest for an "X". They laughed when he fell, when he or his dad did a hot potato dance, and they asked to hear the story again when it was over. This book was Pre-K tested, and approved.
October 3, 2019
Mitchell loves to knock things down--whether it be wood blocks, a bowl of cereal or a stack of important papers. He's been a speed demon in the past but now he's a wrecking ball. What's a parent to do? Fortunately, his father has the right idea when he takes Mitchell to the bowling alley where his knack for knocking things down is just what's needed to win the game. Strike after strike, his father knocks down the pins, while Mitchell gets gutterballs. He throws, yells and even prays but his hand-eye coordination isn't there. How does he wield his destructive powers so that he can get those Xs? Teaming up with his dad and doing a little happy dance might get him further than where he was before. Have a rollicking good time with this father-and-son pair and soon you will be doing the steamin'-hot-potato dance too.
October 20, 2018
In my case, I don't have many time with my father and my brother also doesn't like me. It make a relationship between my father and us is awkward. This book's purpose is to have many time with one's father. They can make very good memories with their father. In addition, they can do everything if they do something with their father. Illustrations show Mitchell and his father are very friendly.
March 21, 2017
I come from a family of bowlers, so I had to take this one out when I found it at the library. The illustrations are marvellous and the story is fun. And bowling deserves to have some stories too. Makes me want to write a similar story for five-pin.
I do have a couple of quibbles, like seeing Mitchell face-first in the ball return - and how on earth can a four-year-old can lift a ten-pin bowling ball? It was a good chance to reinforce some safety lessons with Mini-Me, though.
I do have a couple of quibbles, like seeing Mitchell face-first in the ball return - and how on earth can a four-year-old can lift a ten-pin bowling ball? It was a good chance to reinforce some safety lessons with Mini-Me, though.
September 4, 2017
Topics:
Persistence
Learning
There are great illustrations this book. The illustrator captured bowling and its ups and downs perfectly.
http://ihaveabookyoushouldread.blogsp...
Persistence
Learning
There are great illustrations this book. The illustrator captured bowling and its ups and downs perfectly.
http://ihaveabookyoushouldread.blogsp...
August 29, 2018
Mitchell was a little boy who loved to knock things down. It was a messy problem, so one day his dad took him to the bowling ally for the first time. Mitchell discovered it wasn't always easy to knock things down. Fabulous, expressive illustrations.
February 16, 2019
The illustrations in this are so good. It captures the goofy physicality of the dad just right--super awesome. Mitchell goes bowling with his dad, and learns his dad is super good at bowling. So they decide to be on the same team. Very cute introduction to bowling.
June 26, 2021
Man, this is so cute. And the art is just fabulous. I thought it would probably be boring, and checked it out only because we'd just talked about bowling, but it turned out to be a real gem. Great find!
January 23, 2024
This was a book about a really energetic little boy whose father takes him bowling for the first time! The illustrations are great and I loved them! Its a really cute and fun story to read and I would like to have it on my future class library along the other books in this series.
November 13, 2017
Mitchell likes to knock things down. And he's pretty good at it. But then his dad takes him bowling where it's okay to knock things down. Only, Mitchell isn't very good at this.
January 23, 2018
I don't think I could possibly love this more. The amusing, honest text paired with hilarious, expressive illustrations makes me so happy.
March 7, 2018
Cute book. Dad takes Mitchell bowling. Mitchell isn't very good at getting all the pins down. So his dad helps them. Together, they can win.
June 14, 2018
You and the competitive, destructive preschooler you love will thoroughly enjoy this one.
September 5, 2018
Cute book for learning something new and not getting it right the first time.
July 11, 2019
This one was cute. Our third graders really enjoyed this one.
January 22, 2017
Loved it! Loved everything about it. Great story and very cool art too.
December 3, 2017
This book is so fun. I love that it talks about a sport that isn't talked about usually in books. For kids, like Judah, who are interested in bowling this is a perfect book for them. It also teaches a very good lesson about teamwork and not giving up when you're not good at something on your first try.
March 3, 2017
A boy and his dad experience all the fun that goes along with bowling.
It's a bit long for story time but would be good for one-on-one sharing if you're looking for a picture book about bowling or father-son relationships.
It's a bit long for story time but would be good for one-on-one sharing if you're looking for a picture book about bowling or father-son relationships.
December 3, 2014
Mitchell Goes Bowling is about a boy who's father decides to take him bowling on Saturday afternoon. As soon as they walk in Mitchell is so excited to start playing, him and his dad both get their shoes and find their lane. They type in their names and Mitchell goes first, he gets a gutter ball and isn't too happy about it. His dad then goes and STRIKE! Mitchell tries to go again and does a little kick just like his dad, well that doesn't end up very well. He slips and gets another gutter ball. Hi Dad goes again and another STRIKE! He looks at the score and his dad is beating him, Mitchell has only knocked over 5 or 6 pins each time. Well Mitchell tries all that he can and still can't get a good score. Well after a little while longer his dad suggests that they work together as a team instead of opposite teams. Mitchell instantly says yes! They grab the ball walk up, do a little leg kick and throw the ball down the lane, then all you hear is SSSSTTTRRRIIIIIIKKKEEE! Mitchell was so excited, he then looks at his dad and says "Battle On!" That's exactly what they did for the rest of their time at the bowling alley.
I really liked the story by Hallie Durand, the only thing I thought was kinda odd was that the little boy didn't have the gutters automatically put up. I thought that was a little odd, but I liked everything else. I loved hoe competitive Mitchell got with his Dad. It shows just how little boys can be. It was a very enjoyable and easy read for me. I also loved all the detail that went into the bowling alley, I was able to close my eyes imagine one that I have been to and it be just like it was in the picture. I also thought that Tony Fucile really captured the emotion in the faces of the dad and Mitchell.
I really liked the story by Hallie Durand, the only thing I thought was kinda odd was that the little boy didn't have the gutters automatically put up. I thought that was a little odd, but I liked everything else. I loved hoe competitive Mitchell got with his Dad. It shows just how little boys can be. It was a very enjoyable and easy read for me. I also loved all the detail that went into the bowling alley, I was able to close my eyes imagine one that I have been to and it be just like it was in the picture. I also thought that Tony Fucile really captured the emotion in the faces of the dad and Mitchell.
November 10, 2017
Another Mitchell book! And it is wonderful. I adore the illustrations--Fucile is definitely a favorite for me. And this story was just as fun as the previous Mitchell one--with a portrayal of a fabulous dad and clever way to entertain a child as well as teamwork.
6/11/14: I had a good though somewhat quieter crowd. They sat still and they listened. They answered my questions. And they seemed to like the story. They just didn't laugh very loudly.
9/29/14-10/2/14: I had this as an option during the Morningside school visits that I did this week. I read it in classes covering grades 3-5. A great success. Love that most of them loved my favorite parts--the hot potato dances and the "he prayed." Well received which made me quite happy.
6/17/15 This was not as enjoyable for my Daddy! theme this time because the majority of the kids have never been bowling. They couldn't really relate. So then I had to make sure to point out the two things Mitchell does that you should NOT do and why. Not as many laughing reactions as I get from the older kids, so I might keep this more for their age range.
4/19/17 Used in M theme, since we'd done the other Mitchell book the week before. Some of the kids said they had been bowling before. Adults laughed a bit more. But the kids loved seeing how Mitchell reacted to everything. Very cute.
11/6/17-11/9/17 Used in Morningside Elementary visits. 2nd grade class didn't quite get it because many had never been bowling. So when I read it to a 3rd grade class, I made sure they knew about bowling. Went over much better then.
6/11/14: I had a good though somewhat quieter crowd. They sat still and they listened. They answered my questions. And they seemed to like the story. They just didn't laugh very loudly.
9/29/14-10/2/14: I had this as an option during the Morningside school visits that I did this week. I read it in classes covering grades 3-5. A great success. Love that most of them loved my favorite parts--the hot potato dances and the "he prayed." Well received which made me quite happy.
6/17/15 This was not as enjoyable for my Daddy! theme this time because the majority of the kids have never been bowling. They couldn't really relate. So then I had to make sure to point out the two things Mitchell does that you should NOT do and why. Not as many laughing reactions as I get from the older kids, so I might keep this more for their age range.
4/19/17 Used in M theme, since we'd done the other Mitchell book the week before. Some of the kids said they had been bowling before. Adults laughed a bit more. But the kids loved seeing how Mitchell reacted to everything. Very cute.
11/6/17-11/9/17 Used in Morningside Elementary visits. 2nd grade class didn't quite get it because many had never been bowling. So when I read it to a 3rd grade class, I made sure they knew about bowling. Went over much better then.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews