Baseball from A to Z [Hardcover]

Michael P. Spradlin (Author), Macky Pamintuan (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Learning about baseball has never been so much fun! From a pitching Ace to a strike Zone, this energetic alphabet book covers all the bases of America's favorite pastime. Lively, action-packed illustrations will take readers right into the stands to root, root, root for the home team. So put on your favorite team Jersey and get ready for the Ballpark . . . because Baseball from A to Z is one Home run you don't want to miss.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–3—This alphabet book matches each letter to a simple baseball factoid, as in: "Error. If a fielder misses the ball, he can be charged with an error." Q is for "Quick Release," X is for "Extra Innings," and so on. The baseball terms are predictable: "ballpark," "dugout," and so on. The main interest lies in Pamintuan's comically exaggerated figures. Rubbery faced fielders grimace as they stretch to make a catch while hugely muscled pitchers smirk down at terrified batters. This lighter-than-air confection may appeal to fans, but among the many excellent baseball books, it fails to distinguish itself.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
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From Booklist

This energetic picture book uses the alphabet as a framework for defining baseball terms. Most of the terms revolve around the types of things that young fans might hear when they attend their first major or minor league game. Common words such as ace, grounder, no-hitter, mascot, and tag, are given crisp, one- or two-sentence definitions. Pamintuan’s bright, cartoon-style illustrations, featuring exaggerated gestures and facial expressions, will easily attract attention, although he doesn’t capture the full multicultural makeup of a modern baseball team. Many definitions include thematic links to others, often on the same double-page spread. For example, a shortstop (S) is shown making a tag (T). Even very young fans will find this fun and informative. Preschool-Grade 1. --Todd Morning

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (March 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061240818
• ISBN-13: 978-0061240812
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children, some of which have actually been published. He grew up in a small town in Michigan not far from the Indiana border, which may explain his irrational fear of Hoosiers. (Both the inhabitants of the state of Indiana and the movie starring Gene Hackman).

Surrounded by books in his formative years, he grew up loving to read, imagining himself the hero of numerous epic battles and indulging in his favorite pastime, which was smuggling fireworks across the Ohio border so that he could blow up his collection of Plastic Green Army Men and Matchbox Cars.

Michael is the author The Youngest Templar trilogy, The Spy Goddess series, and several picture books including the award winning Daniel Boone's Great Escape.

When not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family and worrying over the fact that he really should be writing instead of doing other stuff. He lives in Michigan with his wife Kelly, son Michael, daughter Rachel and two dogs Willow and Apollo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a baseball family and intend to carry on the tradition, this is one marvelous one you should add to your collection!, May 28, 2010

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Baseball from A to Z (Hardcover)

You can take enthusiastic youngsters out to a ball game any day of the week, but before you go, you might just want to share this book with them. This vibrant, animated book doesn't miss a beat and will not only excite the young reader, but can also be a learning experience for the novice baseball fan.

The artwork, along with each letter, captures the essence of baseball and teaches baseball lingo. For example, the letter N represents No-Hitter, "a game in which the pitcher does not allow the opposing team to get any hits. No-hitters are very rare." The background shows a scoreboard peppered with zeros across the board, fans holding signs with the letter N, and sports and a determined pitcher in the foreground.

A * Ace
B * Ballpark
C * Catcher
D * Dugout
E * Error
F * Foul Ball
G * Grounder
H * Home Run
I * Infield
J * Jersey
K * Knuckleball
L * Line Drive
M * Mascot
N * No-Hitter
O * Outfielder
P * Pitcher
Q * Quick Release
R * Rookie
S * Shortstop
T * Tag
U * Umpire
V * Visiting Team
W * Walk
X * Extra Innings
Y * Youth League
Z * Strike Zone

This book has the "feel" of baseball simply emanating from its pages, one of the qualities I admired in this book. Many of the newer ABC books I run across seem to drift away from their theme, especially when they hit the final letter Z, but this one is "baseball" all the way. If you are a baseball family and intend to carry on the tradition, this is one marvelous book you may wish to add to your baseball book collection!

5.0 out of 5 stars A is for Amazing, B is for Baseball..., March 26, 2010

By 

J. Hamilton "Betty Crocker Mom" (NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Baseball from A to Z (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful way to incorporate baseball and learning the alphabet together. I got my copy yesterday and the illustrations look like they could jump off the page. The baseball from A to Z is a great way to have kids get into the game and take them out to the ballpark. My kids and daycare kids love this book, it is now a new favorite ad will be enjoyed by many. This is a great book for kids of all ages.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect blend of ABC's and baseball, March 23, 2010

By 

Christine C. (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Baseball from A to Z (Hardcover)

Clever way of combining learning ABC's and love for/learning about baseball. My boys read it 3 times today!! Beautifully illustrated! I plan on giving this as a gift to my son's friends.