Fall Ball

by Peter McCarty

Bobby and his friends wait all day for school to end and for their chance to play outdoors in the fall weather. Flying leaves, swirling colors, and crisp air make the perfect setting for a game of football with Sparky the dog.

The kids are surprised by how quickly it gets dark, and even more surprised when it begins to snow. But there’s no need to worry—the chilly nights ahead will mean watching football on the couch with family, tucked under a cozy blanket.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Football, Childrens, Fiction, Storytime, School

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2013

About the author

I was born in 1966 in Westport, Connecticut right in the middle of two older brothers and two younger sisters. We kept our mother busy while my father worked long hours at IBM. Most of my childhood was spent in my head. I was usually recreating a battle from World War II or running from dinosaurs in prehistoric times. To this day, I develop characters and environments based on worlds I first created when I was three. I am grateful to my mother who kept us surrounded with art. I come from a long line of artists and my grandmother, Grace Boyd, was the best. She died before I was born, but her fantastic paintings and drawings were all around us.

Since my father worked for IBM, we moved often. I think being on the move during my formative years has been the reason I tend to create books about returning home. By the time I graduated from high school we were living in Boulder, Colorado. At the University of Colorado, I began my long career as a professional student. I first thought I was going to be an engineer so I took all kinds of science and math classes. I enjoyed solving math problems, but I could not see myself working in a lab. Along the way, I continued to draw and create worlds as I always have. My friends and teachers were very supportive. Around the time when I should have been graduating, I decided to start over and go to art school at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I finally graduated from college, in 1992.

One of my illustration teachers, William Low introduced me to Laura Godwin, a children’s book editor at Henry Holt and Company. She gave me my first professional art job to illustrate a little science book, Frozen Man written by David Getz. I worked really hard on that book. Laura was impressed; so I was offered to illustrate a picture book, Night Driving written by John Coy. Again I did the best illustrations I knew how, like my life depended on it. One drawing of a car going over a bridge made my girlfriend cry. She said, “Oh, you can draw.” We were then married in 1995.

Night Driving was first published in 1996 and received praise from critics and won some awards. Laura Godwin then offered me the best of all offers; I could write and illustrate whatever I wanted. Little Bunny on the Move came into my mind after months of searching for a story. Little Bunny on the Move was published in 1999 and won a Best Illustrated Book of the Year from the New York Times. That book established my career and gave me the confidence to continue to write and illustrate the stories from my mind.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simply written children’s book aimed at what matter’s most to children: free time to play on their own. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. The children are riding home from school on the bus and plan to play football when they get there. Jimmy is one exception who decides to rake leaves instead. The children play ball, however Sparky, the dog, is quickest to retrieve the ball. he crashes into Jimmy’s pile of leaves, as do all of the children. It’s so early, yet getting dark and cold, and all the children must go home. A beautiful book about fall and things to love: football, cozy pajamas, warm blankets, good things to eat… Highly recommended!!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fall Ball by Peter McCarty is a story filled with fall colors, leaves, and fun. The pages capture the whirl and twirl of the leaves dancing in the crisp air of autumn. And the anticipation! That can’t wait to get home from school and play feeling. I could feel how much those kids wanted to jump into a game of football, running and more. I wanted to dive into that big pile of leaves myself and roll around! :) 

BUT I was a bit disappointed with the end. The words and pictures moved with such energy around the page. So to see the characters plop down in front of the television at the end stole some of that liveliness for me. Plus I’m not sure why the snow was thrown in. It added season confusion instead of magic in my opinion. *shrugs*

Still a fun read that will have everyone running outside to play!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riding home from school one autumn day, a group of children eagerly anticipates the game of football that they will play together. Organized by Bobby, the game gets going, only to be subverted by Sparky the dog, who steals the ball and leads the children on a chase ending in a massive pile of leaves. All too soon it is time to go in, and the children head home as the snow begins to fall...

A simple text is paired with lovely artwork in Fall Ball, author/illustrator Peter McCarty's picture-book tribute to the pleasure of football in the autumn season. The story isn't particularly gripping here, although it certainly captures that sense one has in childhood, of fun times passing too quickly. The real charm, at least for me, was in McCarty's pen and ink and watercolor artwork, which is really quite beautiful. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about playing football with one's friends and/or about the beauty of the autumn season.

[Susan Heskin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read "Fall Ball" to two 2nd-grade classes and they loved it!! Of course, it was in Wisconsin the day after a big Packer/Viking game on TV, but what the kids really loved were the silly pictures of the kids, the funny dog, the tackling and crashing into the leaves, and just the idea of playing neighborhood games with friends. I agree with the other reviewers that there is no compelling story, and it really isn't a book about football. It is much more of an atmosphere book, and that age range seemed to get it. Younger kids might not...I'm not sure.

[raccoon reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woods adored this book and so did I. It's not my favorite style of illustrating but the story is sweet and simple and makes a good fall themed bedtime story.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

We got this because we love Peter McCarty's Hondo books and his illustration style is just so fun. This one is cute but loses a star from me for being about football just cause I hate football. 😏🤭

[Meg Stolte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fall Ball is a fun story about a group of children coming home on the bus, who decide to play football together. The story is set in late fall, as the kids rake up the leaves and jump through them during football, and then it begins to snow as they’re called inside for dinner. At the end of the story, they have dinner and watch more football on TV.
This would be a fun story to read for grades K-2, particularly with children from families that enjoy watching football, or perhaps those with older siblings who play football. It touches on themes of friendship and family, and it could be incorporated into a lesson about retelling stories, since it has a clear sequence of events. It could also be used to discuss details in a story, encouraging students to recall what the setting was like, what sport the kids played, and who stole the football before they had to go inside.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate football. But I know a new baby who needs this book, so it definitely fills a need for more charming football books in the publishing industry.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to see a bunch of friends get together to play football without being supervised by parents or coaches. No cell phone or other digital devices are in this book!

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Fun illustrations but not much of a story.

[Ethan & Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aw yeah football. Aw yeah fall.

[Valencia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was very cute and I like how the author puts some emphasis on football since it is such a popular past time with many people.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's better than football in the fall? This book has no moral or lesson to teach, but not every children's book needs to do that. The text and pictures are both crisp and clean. Lots of action is packed into the 32 pages. The illustrations are very distinctive; at first I didn't really like them but now I appreciate how different they are from so many other cartoonish picture books. And my 16 month old son loves to look at every page.

Once again, I don't review every children's book but after reading it for the umpteenth time I have to write something. My 16 month old son grabbed this book off the shelf at the library; he recognized it from the last time we checked it out. He then proceeded to proudly march the book around and show it to everyone. He now constantly brings the book over for me to read, and even takes it from me to page through by himself. That's all high praise for a children's book.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sums up a pretty near perfect autumn day. And if you have any young football fans, they'll enjoy this short and sweet story too.

Ages: 3 - 6

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As do many school children, Bobby and his friends can't wait for the school day to end so that they can go home and play football. All of them enjoy the game except for Jimmy who must rake the leaves. Sparky the dog turns out to be a football star, stealing the ball and leaping into the leaves at every chance he gets. All too soon, the game ends since it gets dark early at this time of the year. The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations fit this story perfectly since both of them capture well a universal childhood experience. I loved the illustrations showing Sparky clutching the football in his mouth and how the leaves swirl throughout the book's pages.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fall Ball is perfect for football fans, perfect to be read out loud when the season begins to change. Filled with minimalist illustrations and autumnal colors, McCarty makes good use of open space and using leaves to indicate page turns. After a pack of friends return home after a long day of school, they decide to go outside and play football until it gets dark. Unfortunately for them, it’s already dark out by 4:30! This book would be fantastic for reading out loud to a group of children. Great for grades 1-4.

Review cross-listed here!

[Sheri Hoyte Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, the illustrations on the cover of Fall Ball first called me to this book, with the color scheme being the deciding factor. The dominant sepia theme sprinkled with subdued reds, blues and grayish tones create a crisp autumnesque environment. Then the kids faces took hold of me. The caricatures make for a delightful group of kids like none I’ve ever seen before. With simple facial features and hair that seems to stand as if permanently blown by the wind, these kids often made me laugh out loud. Happy, surprised, excited – the faces remain the same and yet you somehow just know what they are thinking.

Full review on www.sherihoytebooks.com

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a celebration of Autumn (with leaves flying on all the pages), football (the children pay outside and when they have to come inside, find football on tv!) and winter. I love the illustrations by McCarty- they are fun, soft, and full of action. Plenty of browns, blacks, and golds- no red or orange leaves here. The illustrations are just perfect! The children's expressions are so happy! When night comes early (4:30!) the children go inside and it starts to snow! Reminds me of coming winter.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great fall story time book. It about a group of kids (both genders) who all live in the same neighborhood and go to the same school. They are excited about the end of the school day so they can all get together and play football. When at last it comes time they run into trouble with a dog and leaves, but in the end a great day.

McCarty does a wonderful job with both text and illustrations. The use of autumnal colors coupled with the guileless pictures left this reader with the overall feeling of warmth and security. Great autumn read.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about fall and football--two of my favorite things. I absolutely LOVE the drawings--the colors, the characters, the whimsical quality are all quite fabulous. Storywise, a fun premise, though I didn't like how it ended. Kind of abrupt and didn't flow well from the point of the kids getting called in to supper to the end. I thought he should have done more with the dog/leaf pile fiasco first. That said, still a sweet book--and my 2nd grader (a huge fan of football, dogs, kiddos, and silliness) loved it. So it's a win. :)

[Brindi Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm very sad to report that I found this book to fall flat and was a total let down. I was all excited about a children's picture storybook on football and knew I'd share it with the kiddos in the fall. I really enjoyed the illustrations, very fall-ish, but the story itself feel short to say the least. No fun at all, hardly anything baout the kids actually playing the game...it seemed to have lost it's focus and wasn't well developed. I giving it 2 stars because it's "supposed" to be about football and fall (2 of my favorite things), but it could score less.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was attracted to this picture book on the library shelf because of the illustrations. Peter McCarty's style is whimsical and full of floating children, dogs, leaves, a bus--and I just love being airborne. (I was a gymnast.) The story is simple--about an outdoor fall, football game, with an underlying theme of kids playing outdoors until it's dark, and watching football on TV with the family on a Monday night...

If you're an avid, crazed football fan. Then this book is for you and your kids.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bobby and his schoolmates are excited for the end of the school day so that they can all enjoy the beautiful fall weather. The kids head out for a game of football and are called in once the weather changes and it starts snowing!

Pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations. I loved the rosy cheeks on everyone's faces and the way the illustrator captured twilight. Great seasonal read aloud for PreK-2.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the illustrations are the glory of this book. The kids resemble elongated balloons with faces, have spiked hair, and smallish arms and legs. The storyline has the kiddos waiting through the school day to ride the bus home and finally getting to play some neighborhood football! Leaves flutter from the trees, the school bus bumps down the road, and the kids can't believe when their parents call them indoors as the snowflakes start to fall. Good choice for autumn to winter story time.

[Andi Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was more a narration of an experience than a story, but I think kids will identify with the excitement of fall. It's calm and simple and could be read at bedtime as a wind-down. McCarty's beautiful palette and quirky children make up a little for the lack of story. There are a couple hat tips to the bunny ; )

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fall Ball is a sweet little story with simple illustrations that does a lovely job of expressing the joys and sorrows fall may bring. Joy over the beautiful weather and thrills over jumping into freshly raked piles of leaves; sorrow over the earlier appearance of night time and having to go indoors sooner. A cute book to share with kindergarten age students or younger.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, both the illustrations and the action. I loved how the leaves and the children just naturally came together. This was a delight to read. Adding the snow just made fall whip past so quickly, but then this is a November sort of book, and it's a very November sort of thing to happen. :)

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Fall winding down, and Football season still going on, FALL BALL is the perfect book to pick up. With it's simplistic story, and simply fabulous illustrations, Peter McCarty has created book that kids of all ages will love. Full of fun, friendship, football, and a cold snowy night, this is a book I would highly recommend picking up.

Read the rest of my review here

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

After school in Autumn: Riding the school bus home in anticipation of playing ... footballs and piles of leaves ... Playing until it gets dark out ... going home to a cozy, warm house with good things to eat.

The memories of childhood days gone by in descriptive language and charming illustrations.

[Romelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

FALL BALL by author/illustrator Peter McCarty is a day-in-a-life story of 9 kids (with Bobby as the MC) experiencing the arrival of Fall through football. Told in present-tense, this whimsical story lacked interest. What I love most about the book is the illustrations, which were done in pen, ink and soft water colors which showcase the beautiful fall leaves.

5 stars for illustration!