Each year, I do some type of baseball post. I marvel that baseball far surpasses other sports in the number of picture books, early chapter books, and novels for children and teens that are published. I know I am a little biased, but every year when I look at new releases, baseball still leads the pack.
This year, Matt Tavares is back with another baseball picture book biography. This one is about Pedro Martínez, his relationship with his brother Ramon, and the journey to the major leagues from the Dominican Republic. I have also included a couple of other baseball titles to check out and also links to past posts.
Growing Up Pedro: How the Martinez Brothers Made It from the
Dominican Republic All the Way to the Major Leagues
by Matt Tavares
Candlewick Press (February 10, 2015)
Audience: Grades 3 to 7
Nonfiction * Biography * Baseball
IndieBound | WoldCat
Quick Thoughts on this book:
There is no denying that Matt Tavares loves baseball. He has written and illustrated at least 7 picture books with the theme of baseball. His most recent biography on Pedro Martínez follows in form and style as his biographies about Ted Williams and Babe Ruth. Also, in similar fashion, Tavares focuses on a specific aspect of the ball player's life and career. In this case, Tavares looks at the relationship between Pedro and his brother Ramon and how Pedro's dream of playing in the major league with his brother eventually came true.
For more information about the book including teacher's guide, check out the publisher's page . For more information about Matt Tavares, check out his website.
Official Book Trailer:
A 3-minute drawing less with Matt Tavares:
Candlewick's Five Questions (Plus One) with Matt Tavares:
And not to forget the women of baseball...
Queen of the Diamond: The Lizzie Murphy Story
by Emily Arnold Murphy
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (February 17, 2015)
Audience: Kindergarten to 3rd
Nonfiction * Biography * Baseball * Women's History
IndieBound | WorldCat
Quick thoughts on this book:
Another aspect of baseball that fascinates me is how women have played a significant role in the history of baseball. New to me was the inclusion of Lizzie Murphy as an actual baseball player in the first half of the 20th century. Murphy played professional baseball from 1918 to 1935. When Lizzie realized that people were coming to see her play and yet she wasn't receiving a share of the collection, she took a stand "no pay, no play". This resulted in her receiving similar shares to the men on her team. Definitely a biography to add to a classroom or school library.
For more information about the book, check out the publisher's website.
If you missed these 2014 nonfiction picture book baseball releases, add them to your pile:
Baseball Is.... by Louise Borden; Illustrated by Raul Colón (Margaret K. McElderry, February 18, 2014)
The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America's Hero by Barb Rosenstock; Illustrated by Terry Widener (Calkins Creeks, March 1, 2014)
Below are some of the previous posts that I have done around baseball books both fiction and nonfiction:
Review of There Goes Ted Williams
Common Core IRL: Baseball Edition
Last week, I was unable to to do a nonfiction post. If you want, please link up twice with last week's link and then this week's link: