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The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball
Andrew Larsen evokes the eternal hope and joy of all true baseball fans --- along with their love of facts --- in this heartwarming story about a baseball-loving boy who doesn't give up.
Lenny can't get enough of baseball. He loves to play. And he loves to pore over his Big Book of Baseball Facts. He wants to be in the big leagues someday, and, he figures, the more he knows, the better his chances. The only thing is, though he tries to keep his eye on the ball as it heads his way during a game, it somehow ends up by his feet. “You just need to practice,” his dad tells him. So they practice. And practice. Lenny doesn't give up. And it pays off. Lenny makes a game-changing catch! Now he's proven he can be great some of the time. Which, according to the facts, makes him just like the greatest Hall of Famers, right?
In this endearing picture book, bestselling author Andrew Larsen celebrates the love of both the game of baseball and its countless facts --- which for many fans go hand in hand. It offers a strong character-building portrait of perseverance and patience at work in skill development. It also underscores the importance of letting go of the idea of perfection. With energy and emotion in equal parts, Milan Pavlović's illustrations capture Lenny's (and baseball's) highs and lows, and his loving supportive relationship with his father.
Lenny can't get enough of baseball. He loves to play. And he loves to pore over his Big Book of Baseball Facts. He wants to be in the big leagues someday, and, he figures, the more he knows, the better his chances. The only thing is, though he tries to keep his eye on the ball as it heads his way during a game, it somehow ends up by his feet. “You just need to practice,” his dad tells him. So they practice. And practice. Lenny doesn't give up. And it pays off. Lenny makes a game-changing catch! Now he's proven he can be great some of the time. Which, according to the facts, makes him just like the greatest Hall of Famers, right?
In this endearing picture book, bestselling author Andrew Larsen celebrates the love of both the game of baseball and its countless facts --- which for many fans go hand in hand. It offers a strong character-building portrait of perseverance and patience at work in skill development. It also underscores the importance of letting go of the idea of perfection. With energy and emotion in equal parts, Milan Pavlović's illustrations capture Lenny's (and baseball's) highs and lows, and his loving supportive relationship with his father.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 5, 2021
12 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Larsen
33 books37 followersAndrew Larsen is a father, homemaker and author. When he was a child, he would spend a part of every summer with his grandparents at their cottage on a hill, by a lake. Andrew now lives in a downtown Toronto neighborhood. He has published three picture books with Kids Can Press and one with Fitzhenry & Whiteside. He is married with two children.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 1, 2021
I have heard it said that there are many life lessons in the game of baseball. This book of a boy that loves baseball shares the most important life lesson of never giving up. The love of the game and how that love drives you to do better. Even as adults, we can loose that lesson. If you want that lesson for your child, Lenny is a great role model. He is not perfect but he is determined. We all need that and baseball is a great way to start. Whether you play the game or watch the game, you will appreciate the lessons learned.
A special thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A special thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
October 21, 2021
At the age of 4, The Bear was given a choice to either try soccer or try baseball, he chose baseball. This began a love affair with the game that continues on today. He plays rep baseball and is one of the Toronto Blue Jays biggest fans. When we saw Andrew Larsen’s new story The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball it was a must get. Illustrated by Milan Pavlovic it’s a wonderful story that reminds me of those early days on the diamond.
Full disclosure, The Bear is 10 so the book wasn’t his favourite, however Little Bear would have had this book on request every night. Lenny knows a lot about baseball. He is always reading from his book of baseball facts. He figures the more he knows, the better he will play. Lenny tries hard in his games but he fails more than he succeeds, such is the game of baseball. When he realizes that practice makes better but not perfect, he realizes all he loves about baseball.
Baseball is one of those sports where you are going to fail more than you succeed. If you have been watching the Toronto Blue Jays games lately you are seeing it on full display. It’s one of the reasons it's such a great game. Perseverance and practice are what will make a great player. I love that Lenny practices in his own way. To get better at catching fly balls he wears a very funny looking helmet. His dad is patient with him and always eager to help him practice, with an encouraging word after the game or practice session, a fabulous model for would be sports parents out there. Even though Lenny fails and questions whether he wants to continue playing, his book of facts and his love for the game spur him on.
The illustrations by Milan Pavlovic are fantastic. Each page is full of colour and action. There are there great excerpts from Lenny’s book of facts and a lot of baseball action.
Full disclosure, The Bear is 10 so the book wasn’t his favourite, however Little Bear would have had this book on request every night. Lenny knows a lot about baseball. He is always reading from his book of baseball facts. He figures the more he knows, the better he will play. Lenny tries hard in his games but he fails more than he succeeds, such is the game of baseball. When he realizes that practice makes better but not perfect, he realizes all he loves about baseball.
Baseball is one of those sports where you are going to fail more than you succeed. If you have been watching the Toronto Blue Jays games lately you are seeing it on full display. It’s one of the reasons it's such a great game. Perseverance and practice are what will make a great player. I love that Lenny practices in his own way. To get better at catching fly balls he wears a very funny looking helmet. His dad is patient with him and always eager to help him practice, with an encouraging word after the game or practice session, a fabulous model for would be sports parents out there. Even though Lenny fails and questions whether he wants to continue playing, his book of facts and his love for the game spur him on.
The illustrations by Milan Pavlovic are fantastic. Each page is full of colour and action. There are there great excerpts from Lenny’s book of facts and a lot of baseball action.
May 21, 2022
As someone who loves baseball and is a bit of a perfectionist, this book really spoke to me. In this endearing picture book, bestselling author Andrew Larsen celebrates the love of both the game of baseball and its countless facts --- which for many fans go hand in hand. It offers a strong character-building portrait of perseverance and patience at work in skill development. It also underscores the importance of letting go of the idea of perfection. It's also a great book about father and son bonding.
Lenny and his dad bond over baseball but when Lenny misses a catch in a crucial game, he starts to have doubts that he'll ever be good enough to follow his dreams in pursuing his big dreams of baseball stardom. But with a little bit of perseverance and patience, he quickly becomes better at the game and realizes that even the greats weren't perfect all of the time - in fact, Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron spent most of their time striking out, and that what makes their incredible stats that much more astounding.
Lenny and his dad bond over baseball but when Lenny misses a catch in a crucial game, he starts to have doubts that he'll ever be good enough to follow his dreams in pursuing his big dreams of baseball stardom. But with a little bit of perseverance and patience, he quickly becomes better at the game and realizes that even the greats weren't perfect all of the time - in fact, Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron spent most of their time striking out, and that what makes their incredible stats that much more astounding.
July 27, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Kids Can Press through NetGalley.
A patient and tuned in dad supports his son as Lenny learns about and plays baseball. Larsen show the struggles and joys of learning a sport through Lenny's actions. He reads about the sport and knows many facts. When it comes to playing, he struggles. Then through practice and his dad's belief in him which shifts to belief in himself, Lenny realizes he can play and he is improving.
The illustrations bring further attention to the information shared in the text. Readers will appreciate the details and feel like they are part of the action. Great book for families to encourage and empower children in sports, the arts, etc.
A patient and tuned in dad supports his son as Lenny learns about and plays baseball. Larsen show the struggles and joys of learning a sport through Lenny's actions. He reads about the sport and knows many facts. When it comes to playing, he struggles. Then through practice and his dad's belief in him which shifts to belief in himself, Lenny realizes he can play and he is improving.
The illustrations bring further attention to the information shared in the text. Readers will appreciate the details and feel like they are part of the action. Great book for families to encourage and empower children in sports, the arts, etc.
May 19, 2021
A very well clued-up dad gives Lenny the encouragement and the impetus he needs to practise at baseball, a game we're told allows anyone the chance to be really good some of the time. So we're taught both to keep at things, and not to expect perfection, in this bright and easy read. Obviously it's only going to be a success within North America, but it is going to be a success, much like Lenny, we're told.
May 22, 2021
I loved this book and can't wait to read it to my niece and nephew. The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball by Andrew Larsen is a beautiful book about practicing and tenacity. I love the message of if you're not good at something, practice and work for it. It seems like such a great lesson for kids to carry into adulthood. Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2021
The one thing that endeared to The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball is baseball. The Thing Lenny Loves Most About Baseball is a story about Lenny and how he loves the game of baseball and everything about it. I loved this book and think it would be perfect to read in any environment. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on Goodreads.)
May 19, 2024
Realistic Fiction. K-3. Persistent pays off for Lenny in this story. Especially with his dad's support and encouragement. This is a great example for all of us. It models how a parent can support their child, and how a child can persist in learning something difficult, wile realizing they can't get it right all the time. Lenny loves baseball and finds the balance between the facts of the game and the practice needed to learn to play.
November 28, 2025
We are so proud of you for reading Lenny's baseball story! You learned something really special - it's okay to make mistakes. Even the best baseball players miss the ball sometimes. What matters is that you keep trying and never give up, just like Lenny did.
You can do this with anything - reading, drawing, or learning new things. Practice helps you get better!
Keep reading, sweetheart. We love you so much!
You can do this with anything - reading, drawing, or learning new things. Practice helps you get better!
Keep reading, sweetheart. We love you so much!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and ___ for a free digital copy.
If you are a baseball lover, this book is for you. It celebrates the essence of baseball, which is to be a great player, you don't have to be great all the time. Every one misses or strikes out. It also celebrates the fact that to be great, you have a to practice and be determined. What a delight.
If you are a baseball lover, this book is for you. It celebrates the essence of baseball, which is to be a great player, you don't have to be great all the time. Every one misses or strikes out. It also celebrates the fact that to be great, you have a to practice and be determined. What a delight.
September 1, 2022
After reading this book, it's almost like I did not even realize it but the dad and son are both light brown-skinned and the other characters in the book are white making this a great asset to a classroom library. It shows to students that if they put their mind to something they can do anything as long as they have the passion for it.
July 10, 2021
This book reminds me of the Kenny Rogers song "I am the Greatest". The illustrations were fun and the story was great. I love that Lenny's dad doesn't let Lenny give up and that Lenny takes his dad's advice and practices. I also enjoyed learning about all of the things Lenny loves about baseball.
April 29, 2023
Lenny learns the ups and downs of baseball. What's more fun, reading the facts or playing the game? This would be a great story for promoting growth mindset and practice to children and students along with the importance of perseverance.
January 4, 2022
Poorly written
February 15, 2022
Will Lenny ever catch a pop fly? Readers learn the importance of perseverance through the game of baseball & what the character loves most about baseball.
Read
June 30, 2022Super cute!
September 30, 2022
Despite my hopes, this was not a child-oriented autobiography of Lenny DiNardo.
April 12, 2023
Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 04-12-2023
September 27, 2021
I read this with my 7-year-old who is currently obsessed with baseball. Here are our thoughts:
7-year-old: I really enjoyed this book. I would give it a 4 or a 5 because it's about baseball and I love baseball. My favorite parts where when they were playing baseball on the baseball field. I think Lenny must have been frustrated in some parts like when he missed the ball or it went over the fence.
me: This is such a cute and sweet book! And it has a great message. No matter whether you're a baseball great or just starting out, sometimes you'll miss the catch or strike out, and sometimes you'll catch the ball or hit a home run. No one is perfect and to get better, you just have to keep practicing. These messages were also cleverly told through a story in a way that felt organic -- not like when a book really hits you over the head with the message. The story was easy to get caught up in and the main character very relatable.
The illustrations were also clear and made it easy to follow the story. The images and moments chosen to illustrate the story were perfect and definitely added to the overall delivery.
My 7-year-old has asked to read this many times since we first read it. It's definitely a hit with them.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing an e-arc for review.
7-year-old: I really enjoyed this book. I would give it a 4 or a 5 because it's about baseball and I love baseball. My favorite parts where when they were playing baseball on the baseball field. I think Lenny must have been frustrated in some parts like when he missed the ball or it went over the fence.
me: This is such a cute and sweet book! And it has a great message. No matter whether you're a baseball great or just starting out, sometimes you'll miss the catch or strike out, and sometimes you'll catch the ball or hit a home run. No one is perfect and to get better, you just have to keep practicing. These messages were also cleverly told through a story in a way that felt organic -- not like when a book really hits you over the head with the message. The story was easy to get caught up in and the main character very relatable.
The illustrations were also clear and made it easy to follow the story. The images and moments chosen to illustrate the story were perfect and definitely added to the overall delivery.
My 7-year-old has asked to read this many times since we first read it. It's definitely a hit with them.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing an e-arc for review.
October 11, 2021
I love this book! We see a lot of picture books with the theme of building self respect and self love, and just generally powering through. But I've never seen one where the characters were a father and son. Throw in baseball love and this book is a winner. I can't wait until my husband reads this one.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews