Baseball Counting Book

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

Overview

Step up to the plate with this counting book about America's favorite pastime. THE BASEBALL COUNTING BOOK is spring training for little sluggers. The count is zero to zero when the ump calls, "Play ball!" Nine innings later we've counted balls, strikes, players, fans, and more, all the way to twenty. No one strikes out with these fun rhymes. Little leaguers will find themselves counting their way through practice and pointing out all the new things they've learned about this great game when they watch the pro's on TV or at the parks. Early readers will hit a home run with this charming counting book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780881063332
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	02/28/1999
Pages:	30
Sales rank:	60,869
Product dimensions:	10.97(w) x 8.52(h) x 0.11(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Barbara Barbieri McGrath has written over twenty books for children, including The Little Gray Bunny, The Little Red Elf, and many bestselling math concept books. Her love for writing, children and making learning fun was the inspiration for her first children's book, The M&M Brand Counting Book, which sold over 1 million copies. She lives in Natick, Massachusetts.

Brian Shaw grew up in southern Wisconsin riding his bike, building tree forts, and playing baseball. In high school a teacher supported his artistic talent and encouraged him to become an artist. He studied illustration and graphic design at Spring Arbor College in Michigan.

Read an Excerpt

Out on the field are nine places to stand.
Check to be sure each position is manned.

Editorial Reviews

An agreeable rhyming counting book with a baseball theme. The story opens on a little league field where the Blue Sox and the Stars face off. "Come play baseball/ You could be a hero./ The game's starting score/ is zero to zero." The teams of boys and girls run up the numbers to 20, and baseball rules and lore are imparted painlessly. "When there's a full count, we say, 'Three and two.'/ Five fingers up!/ His turn's almost through." A grand slam ends the game, with 19 ice cream cones and 20 baseball cards that give a clear and accurate summary of the main rules of the game. Shaw's stocky acrylic-on-board figures have less zest than his beautifully rendered bats and balls, lush green field and blue sky, and a friendly, ice-cream-loving dog. Younger children whose radar may have picked up McGwire and Sosa, Piazza and Brosius will be ready for spring training after this one.
—Kirkus Reviews

This picture book uses baseball to count from 0 to 20 in rhyming verse. The rules and culture of the game are introduced as two Little League teams compete. The Blue Sox versus the Stars—who will win? Included in the text are the obvious choices of one ball, two teams, three strikes and less obvious choices such as "seventeen pairs of eyes watch the boy at home plate." However, at certain points this pattern strains: "Thirteen good-luck charms/ make some players feel/ That they will be safe/ when they try to steal." Shaw's acrylic paintings capture the excitement of a good game played by teams made up of both boys and girls.
—Booklist

The author has chosen a very appealing and relevant subject-baseball-to help teach children to count from 1 to 20. Her presentation in the form of rhyme is particularly appealing to children, both for its rhythm and its predictability. Each page is full of counting opportunities through its text as well as its fine illustrations.
Throughout the book, many opportunities can be found to extend its role as a counting book into other areas of mathematics and into other disciplines. For example, exploring such shapes as home plate, the baseball field, the ball, the bat, and the megaphone can become a lesson in geometry. Discussing team statistics could later involve class charts, graphs, or perhaps spreadsheets. The introduction of Abner Doubleday could lead to learning more about him by reading his biography or biographies of other baseball legends. The author also includes a glossary of baseball terms presented in the format of baseball cards.
One of my second-grade students evaluated this story very explicitly: "The one thing I did not like about this book was that it was too short." The book is full of counting opportunities and is a springboard for many other learning experiences. I would recommend this book for use at many different levels.
—Teaching Children Mathematics

From the Publisher

What do you get when you add numbers, rhymes, baseball terms, and the excitement of a game? Why this book, of course! Short rhymes show how numbers are integral to baseball and give support to make this an easy-read hit. The illustrations add the last crucial element: a small boy's enjoyment of baseball from one bat and ball to the nineteen ice cream cones he shares with other players at game's end. Young children can understand, appreciate and learn about the sport. The author has found a familiar format to slide in information and pass on her passion for baseball.

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

For readers learning to play baseball or those who just love the game, this is the book for them. Packed with details like how many players are on a team and how to keep score, it's sure to be a hit. What's especially clever about this book is that it's a counting book too. So while they're learning about baseball, they'll be learning to count! Realistic paintings bring the game to life as does the action. From picking out equipment to celebrating with ice cream young readers will be entertained by this clever rhyming, counting book.

Children's Literature - Tracy Defina

PreS-Gr 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

School Library Journal

An agreeable rhyming counting book with a baseball theme. The story opens on a little league field where the Blue Sox and the Stars face off: "Come play baseball/You could be a hero./The game's starting score/is zero to zero." The teams of boys and girls run up the numbers to 20, and baseball rules and lore are imparted painlessly: "When there's a full count, we say, `Three and two.'/Five fingers up! His turn's almost through." A grand slam ends the game, with 19 ice cream cones and 20 baseball cards that give a clear and accurate summary of the main rules of the game. Shaw's stocky acrylic-on-board figures have less zest than his beautifully rendered bats and balls, lush green field and blue sky, and a friendly, ice-cream-loving dog. Younger children whose radar may have picked up McGwire and Sosa, Piazza and Brosius will be ready for spring training after this one. (Picture book. 3-7) .

Kirkus Reviews