Baseball Is . . .

by Louise Borden, Raúl Colón (Illustrations)

The ultimate celebration of an all-American sport, this picture book captures the joy and the history of baseball, and knocks it out of the park!

Don't wait for Opening Day to start your baseball season! Crack open Baseball Is...; and revel in the fun of this all-American game! Perfect for the stats-counting superfan and the brand-new little leaguer, Baseball Is... captures the spirit of this cherished pastime, honoring its legendary past, and eagerly anticipating the future of the sport that is "stitched into our history."

Genres: Sports, Picture Books, Baseball, Nonfiction, Poetry, Childrens, History

48 pages, Hardcover

First published February 18, 2014

About the author

There were already two Louises in my family when I was born: my mother and my grandmother, Nana, who lived with us when I was growing up. So early on, I was given the name Leezie. This is a name that my family still calls me. Years later, my niece was born and also named Louise. Then there were four of us with the same name! Louise is a fine name to have except that people often spell it incorrectly. Sometimes my mail is addressed to Louisa, or Louisie, or Lewis, or Lois. Leezie is also tough for people to spell. Names and their pronunciations have always interested me, so writing about a teacher named Mrs. Kempczinski was a natural thing for me to do.

I grew up in a house at the top of a steep street in Cincinnati, Ohio, the kind of street that is a big challenge when you are pedaling uphill on your bicycle. My two sisters and I used to ride our bikes down, down our street, and then to the local dimestore to buy candy bars or meet up with our friends. But coming home, we had to pedal up our long hill. (This was before mountain bikes!) Pedaling slowly up my street may be where I learned perseverance, something all writers need when they are working alone at their desks.

Writing picture books came much later—after studying history in college, getting married, and raising three children. Even though I didn't grow up to be a composer, I like to think that my picture books are almost songs because the sound of words and the poetry of my style are so important in the texts that I write. I work very hard at my desk, revising and revising and revising, trying to find just the right words that will be beautiful or fun to read.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging text does a great job of capturing a wide spectrum of baseball with focus on major leagues (both present day and historical perspectives--special mention is given to Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente)) as well as brief mention of Negro Leagues and Women's Leagues. Considers many aspects beyond the actual game on the field, including stadiums, announcers, press, and, especially, fans. Not much focus on kids as players beyond just the first and last illustration, but, of course, they enjoy the games... and dream.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about this fabulous text. You can enjoy it on so many levels. Read it for enjoyment, especially if you are a baseball fan. Take close note of the illustrations. As a Chicagoan, loved seeing Wrigley Field depicted. As a Sox fan, loved seeing Miller Park (note, bigger illustration than Wrigley, haha). Read it for the history, as Borden includes just a touch of information about the all the different leagues - Negro and Women's - information about how past presidents have impacted baseball, and she quickly nods to Roberto Clemente, Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. Read it to learn more about the game of baseball. Use it for a mentor text for vocabulary. It's an amazing book.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While we have this shelved with the picture books, I think it'd be great as a writing prompt for sharing information. Borden's book reads a bit like a long poem, all swirling around the repetition of "baseball is". Lots of good information along with great sensory details, and Raul Colon's art never ceases to amaze.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really about love of baseball, and in that sense it's a delight. It very much includes fans, which I appreciated.

Some sections of this seem like they'd be pretty confusing for a kid who wasn't familiar with baseball. You don't have to know the different types of pitches or what a squeeze play is, but a lot of terminology comes up without explanation. Having heard the terms before helps.

It focuses a lot on baseball as an American game, which is far less true than it used to be. Colon did a good job with the players in the illustrations, though.

[Grant Herron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn you, Louise Borden. I couldn’t make it through this book without crying. There I was reading to my son, and all of a sudden, tears are running down my face, my voice is wavering, and my 2.5 year old is looking at me like, “What I’m the world is going on?”

Great book. How can you not be romantic about Baseball?

[Kim Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC! Borden is clearly a fan.

[Harrison Staab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few books have made me cry like this one did. It captures so beautifully the essence of baseball, the greatest sport in the world.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a poetry picture book that regardless of if you are a hard core baseball fan or just a child who throws a ball with your catchers mitt every now and then. This book will stir emotions within you. Very well written along with great illustrations.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=3118

My Review: I am a huge baseball fan, have been for over 24 years now, so I am a sucker for baseball books. This one is special though. It captures the beauty of the baseball stadiums around the country, the intricacies of the sport, and the amazing history that baseball holds. I also love the choice of telling baseball’s story in verse. It made it rhythmic like the sport.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book is a wonderful mentor text for free verse. The poetry is very rhythmic, but has no rhyme. The book also has some amazing vocabulary: craftsman, poise, spectators, finesse, etc. It captures the sport through imagery: “the crack of the bat,” “slow stride of the manager,” “groans or boos,” etc.

On top of the poetic aspects of the book, you can learn so much about baseball and history from the book. It discusses greats like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. Also talks about the Negro and Women’s Leagues. All parts of history in general, not just baseball.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I am a big baseball fan; but this children's book really struck a chord with me.
The author writes: "Oh, the bright happiness of cheering a team on,
of sitting side by side,
of standing hand in hand
with those who share with you
their own special love
for this team,
for that player,
who recall their own memories of other innings,"
I got a bit chocked up; each page (illustrated beautifully) adds to the words that speak to the heart of baseball.
A great book to share with little kids and grown-up kids.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those baseball lovers, this is almost poetry, the words “baseball is” defining every single lovable moment of our national sport, the players, the fields, the umpires, home plate, the pitcher’s mound and of course those famous players of long ago, and those in the All-Star game, coming soon next month. There is a part of all of us that is baseball, and the story by Louise Borden includes the fans and those children who start playing and dreaming while very young. And Colón’s illustrations, while colorful, are nostalgic in style, and filled with action in the baseball he shares. Just take a look at the cover, such excitement, like baseball!

[Holly Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take me out to the ball game! I'm not even a baseball fan, and I loved this book. With beautiful imagery and vivid sensory details, this book takes you inside the experience of baseball with joy and excitement. With tributes to baseball greats, the atmosphere of the ball park, and baseball's rituals, Borden creates a love letter to the great American game. The illustrations are beautiful, the word choice and design perfect. This book will be loved in my classroom. I'm going to wait to read it to my students on the Reds' opening day this year - March 31st.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baseball (or softball) games are commonplace in our neighborhoods with skill levels as varied as our ages and sizes. We all play to win, even if we know we will probably lose. Our love of the sport is like a fever. Attending a major league game is a valued rite of passage. With eloquence in words and pictures, Baseball Is... (Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division) written by Louise Borden with illustrations by Raul Colon brings back memories of every game ever watched or played.



My full review: http://bit.ly/1mnABsC

[Elizabeth Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because I'm a huge baseball fan and have worked in baseball forfour years now. The movie Hardball puts it so perfectly, "there's something romantic about baseball." I think this quote summarizes this book quite well. Baseball is.. is a great book that shares the history of the sport. Often time students play sports without knowing any of its history. I think this would be a good book to share with the class or have kids read on their own. The book read as a bit of poetry, which I found to be a very good fit.

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures the feeling of being at a baseball game with all of the traditions that go along with this great sport! Lots of baseball vocabulary inserted throughout (how can you talk about baseball without the lingo?) and wonderful illustrations that provide a soft, vintage feel. I did not know that FDR sent a signal to light the first night game in Cincinnati! Be sure to read "A Note to the Reader" at the end. Perfect to read aloud at the start of baseball season!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book about baseball. After all, what epitomizes summer better than baseball. Louise Borden eloquently tells the reader what baseball is, while fitting in many historical details. She shows the reader that baseball is as American as apple pie and that it is an important part of our landscape. I can't wait to share this with my 5th graders!

[Amy Allgeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baseball lovers: this is a must read! Pulls everything we love about baseball into one book and captures every moment and feeling of going to a game. Made me want to go to a game right now! Can't wait for Opening Day!

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetic prose in this ode to all of the elements and meanings of the game and ways baseball has touched the lives of individuals and history of this country lead to an inspiring book full of awe, pride, and nostalgia.

[Gps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the game of baseball, and this book captures the elements so beautifully…
wonderful illustrations, and informative text.
a book that can be read and examined on many levels, adult as well as youngsters--definitely a book to keep and treasure.

[Kifflie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A loving tribute to the phenomenon that is baseball in America -- not just the game itself but the atmosphere of the ballpark, and the culture and history that surround it. You can almost hear the flags flapping and smell those peanuts. Raul Colon's artwork is gorgeously rendered.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Above the scene, like a familiar friend, red-and-white stripes, AMERICA'S FLAG." i guess baseball isn't played in Canada? Cuba? Japan?
what cadence there is is broken for the stanzas about Presidents Taft and FDR.
there is a San Francisco(?) Giant, unnamed on the cover.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baseball fans will love this book and the little pointers to things that they know and love (like Wrigley Field and League of their Own).

[Tori Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations, wonderful tribute to America's sport. I'm sure if I knew anything about baseball it would have been an even better ready- I think the illustrations included lots of Easter egg details that baseball fanatics would catch.

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joyous celebration of all things baseball. Perfect for fans.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't catch baseball fever, so I can't share Louise's love for the game as an insider. But her writing makes me wish I could.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even really like baseball and I adored this book! It's a keeper!

[Sarah Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book to share with your young baseball fans! Actually made me tear up...love love love it!

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Louise Borden hits a homerun w/ her latest picture book BASEBALL IS! A great look into what makes the game so special for so many people! Raul Colom also scores with his illustrations!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is baseball pure and simple! Beautifully written and the artwork is amazing! This surely could win awards this year! Nice too having a local author here in cincinnati!