The Baseball Counting Book [Hardcover]

Barbara Barbieri McGrath (Author), Brian Shaw (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999 | Age Level: 3 and up

Let Charlesbridge take you out to the ball game with a book that teaches counting from one ball to twenty baseball cards. The spirited verse and nostalgic illustrations set the scene as readers watch young children play a game from start to finish. For those who have trouble telling a full count from a grand slam, there's a helpful glossary of baseball terms at the end. A must-have for baseball fans both young and old.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Numbers from 0 to 20 are featured in this rhyming picture book. Some of them fit naturally into baseball terminology, such as 3 strikes, 2 teams, and 9 positions. Others, like 12 pieces of gear and 19 ice-cream cones, are more arbitrary, but still tie in to the theme. Kids without basic familiarity with the sport won't fully understand why "5" is a "full count" or why there are 6 infielders. The double-page spread for "20" helps, though, by showing baseball cards, several of which offer glossary-type information about the sport. A game seems to progress along with the counting, starting with a 0 to 0 score and ending with a game-winning grand slam. Unfortunately, many of the rhyming couplets suffer from awkward rhythms: "Eleven bats to choose from-/find one that feels right./Keep your eye on the ball,/and hit with all your might." Acrylic illustrations depict the action from a variety of perspectives, including a double-page, wide-angle view of the field (showing the 9 positions) and a close-up look at 10 fingers gripping the bat. Team members include both boys and girls from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Figures and faces are a bit stiff in some cases, but the determination of the young players and some of the fun of the game do come through. Though not particularly exciting, this is a pleasant enough introduction to a popular sport.
Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library, OR
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...uses baseball to count from 1 to 20 in verse. The rules and culture of the game are introduced... -- Booklist, February 1999

Throughout the book, many opportunities can be found to extend its role as a counting book... -- Teaching Mathematics, December 1999

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881063320
• ISBN-13: 978-0881063325
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #841,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars RHYME AND COUNT, July 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Baseball Counting Book (Paperback)

MY KIDS ADORED THIS BOOK, AFTER ABOUT THREE READINGS THEY HAD MEMORIZED THE RHYMES AND WERE NOT AT ALL BORED BY COUNTING TO 20.WE WORE OUT THE LIBRARY'S COPY AND ORDERED OUR OWN. I LEARNED A BIT ABOUT BASEBALL AS WELL. NOT THE USUAL DULL COUNT OF CRITTERS OR OBJECTS, THIS BOOK TELLS A STORY BETWEEN THE RHYMES.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Young Baseball Lovers, April 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Baseball Counting Book (Hardcover)

I loved this picture counting book because it uses the numbers from one to twenty to introduce various aspects of the game of baseball,with full-color realistic paintings. Children who love the game would love this book. It would be great to use for storytelling or for a math or sports unit in the classroom.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the book, February 23, 2010

By 

Angela Donaldson - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Baseball Counting Book (Paperback)

The book came in a few days and my son loves it. I would buy again from this seller without second thought.