Celebrating Baseball's Opening Day in the Library

Today was opening day for Major League baseball, and we celebrated with baseball books!

Two of my wonderful parent volunteers pulled baseball middle grade, picture books, and nonfiction books for me and displayed them on top of a shelf decorated with green paper and baseball-themed die-cuts. As classes came in, I referred them to the display, and I really enjoyed seeing books gathered in this way. It made me realize just how many we had! I also continually thought of more baseball books I could add to the display, including:

After thinking about this list for awhile, I realize there are many more baseball books than one can ever possibly imagine!

For my read-aloud with two classes, I chose two books that tie together really perfectly. Note that both covers feature pitchers!

From Poem Runs (HMH Books, 2012), I read Florian's "Play Ball!" (perfect for opening day) and "Poem Run" (a concrete poem about a poet who makes a home run).  The poems are lively and crisp, and a joy to read aloud. (Tip: Open up the cover so that readers can see the front and back as one continuous illustration. They will love it!)

Growing Up Pedro (Candlewick, 2015) brings back some great memories for me from ALA MidWinter in Boston, from a wonderful event at  Fenway with fellow librarians courtesy of Candlewick (where I first met Matt Tavares). 

The book doesn't require much an introduction. Its cover does the job of pulling a reader in: Pedro Martínez at the mound about to pitch, and one almost winces at the potential power, expecting the ball to come straight towards you. 

Well-crafted paragraphs and full-of-life illustrations make reading this book aloud extremely engaging. Tavares builds the story well, hooking listeners/readers with the strong bond between the Ramon and Pedro Martínez. I suppose this is the part of the story that really struck me -- how Pedro had such respect for his older brother, and how Ramon watched over him and prepped him for the life he would have.) Also impressive is their rise to fame and success built on practice and determination. The childhood details Tavares includes connect with readers, and the last page will make you tear up. 

An author's note provides more background and supports the well-crafted story further. 

I will no doubt read this book again, and see something more that I treasure within its pages. 

I truly wish baseball's opening day lasted more than one day! There are so many more books I want to share! 

Play ball, and while you're at it, read some baseball books, too!