Ballpark

by Eileen Rajala Meyer, Carlynn Whitt (Illustrator)

It's our big day—
just us two.
We have our gloves,
and mine's brand new.

A boy and his grandpa are heading to their first big league baseball game together. They'll cheer on their team, keep an eye out for fly balls, eat some peanuts, and hopefully watch their team win the game! Eileen R. Meyer's charming rhymes bring to life all the sights and sounds of the big game, while Carlynn Whitt's adorable characters showcase all the fun and action of a day at the ballpark.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Baseball

26 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

Eileen Rajala Meyer writes children's picture books and poetry.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me via a goodreads contest giveaway. I am so happy that I was lucky enough to be chosen to win this book. The story follows a boy and his grandfather and their adventures at the little boy's first baseball game. I love this story!! From the illustrations all the way down to the rhyming in every sentence. It takes you through a play by play on what to experience at the ball game. Reminded me of my first experience too. Of course I was well into my 20's when I went to my first one. Still, definitely brings back memories all the same. This is one that I would definitely recommend to read to young little boys who have been to or want to go to a ball game. It's perfect for little ones too that are starting to read out loud as well. Easy to read and overall a fun book to experience.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a First Reads Winner of this book! I'm excited to get it in a few weeks and read it with my boys.

The book arrived today! I glanced through the pictures before I read it. The illustrations throughout the book are fun and add to the story. I love seeing the grandpa and his grandson enjoying their adventure of a baseball game together. The story, told through poetry, is a great introduction to the game of baseball. The words flowed together nicely and it was fun to read it out loud. I loved the mention of singing the national anthem and the look on Grandfather's face as his hand is on his heart. I think my favorite part of all is that the story is really about spending time with our loved ones. The characters in the book enjoyed their time together at this game and they plan to attend another game in the future.

I'm so glad we have this book in our collection.

[Rebecca Conn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Good story about good memories with someone loved. The pictures are great and the story is simple. I like that it's about making memories that the little boy will cherish.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an great children's book. As a kindergarten teacher, I feel that I could use this book in a variety of ways in my classroom. It would be great for a lesson on baseball since it includes all the aspects of the game -- national anthem, the actual game, food vendors, seventh inning stretch -- with baseball vocabulary -- umpire, shortstop, line drive, fair ball, stealing a base, etc. I also love that there is an underlying theme of family -- a little boy and his grandfather spending time together and doing something special and meaningful to the two of them. I think I will use this book in my class for our social studies unit on families! Also great for anyone who has a kid that loves baseball! Awesome book!

[Peggy Tibbetts · Rating 3 out of 5]

In “Ballpark,” a boy and his grandpa experience the sights and sounds of a big league baseball game. Author Eileen Meyer describes their trip to the ballpark in rhyming verse. Even though there’s plenty of activity, there is no story here which makes it difficult for young readers to make an emotional connection. Carlynn Whitt’s colorful action scenes add much to this predictable adventure, but too many of them focus on the crowd and not enough on the players and the game itself. If you’re looking for a picture book that describes a baseball game, then this is for you. But if you’re looking for a good baseball story, keep looking. "Ballpark" is not a home run.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This book is perfect for kids that are getting ready to go to their first baseball game. This is a great children's book of the U.S. national pastime. This book would make a great gift from grandparents to grandchildren and shows the bond that baseball can create between the generations. An easy to read book that my kids love.
I won this book through the Goodreads giveaway program. What a great program and I am grateful that this book is in our family library because of it.

[Gina Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for the young baseball fans. I enjoyed how the clever rhymes were so beautifully illustrated. Engaging lyrical rhymes make for a terrific read by children and adults. I would highly recommend this book either for a young reader or to be read to a child at bedtime. The book is written in poetry and is very fun to read. The pictures are engaging. It is a unique book that any child interested in baseball would love. It makes a great gift early readers who are baseball fans.

[Kristen]

I received this as a first reads winner. It's a darling book and I loved the rhyming text and the pictures are wonderful. It made me think of the baseball games I've been to. It will be a gift for both my dad and brother this year because they've had many wonderful times together at baseball games.

[Oksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book through the goodreads give away. This book was very fun to read! It written by rhyming poetry and very beautifully illustrated. Very easy to read and pictures show children what's going on as we read and keeps them entertained. Thank you for writing this book! We really enjoyed it!

[Angie Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story about boy and his grandpa! My grandson loved it!!! Amazing!!

[Jill King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and so did my 3 year old little man. I thought the pictures went very well with the text. I will recommend this to my local librarian.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a baseball or sports storytime. Goes through the basics of what it's like to go to a major league baseball game by following a little boy and his grandpa.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read a lot of great baseball books. This is not one of my favorites.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walks you through what to expect at a baseball game. Would be cute for a baseball or sports themed storytime.

[Zachary B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely enjoyed reading this one. Boys love books about sports, esp when it's one they are involved in, teamwise.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute picture book about baseball. Great for toddlers and preschoolers.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story of dad and kid at the ballgame. Reminds me of going to the game as a kid with my dad.