Take Me Out To The Ballgame (Aladdin Picture Books)

ANNOTATION

The lyrics of the familiar song, illustrated by pictures based on the World Series games played between the Dodgers and the Yankees in 1949 in Ebbets Field.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"Big, bold, pen-and-ink watercolor illustrations . . . accompany Norworth's famous chorus. To illustrate the well-known song, Gillman has chosen the fifth game of the 1947 World series, played in Brooklyn between the Dodgers and the Yankees. . . . Full of nostalgia, excitement, and a good bit of sports history, this celebration of America's national pastime is sure to be a winner" ("School Library Journal", starred review). Full color.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Gillman scores a solid hit with this spirited rendition of the familiar ballpark song in a sensational picture book that skillfully conjures up the smell of peanuts, popcorn and sweaty uniforms. Norworth's tune itself is secondary to the details included in Gillman's nostalgia-filled paintings of the 1947 World Series between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field. As in a wordless picture book, the illustrations tell the story right down to the final ``three strikes, you're out'' as the Dodgers lose the game. Gillman has provided readers with plenty of absorbing and ingenious details--from his baseball card self-portrait on the jacket flap to the action-filled paintings of Jackie Robinson, announcer Red Barber and the members of the ``Sym-Phony,'' a raggle-taggle band of Dodger fans who heckled umpires with their rendition of ``Three Blind Mice.'' A lively, well-researched four-page addition to the text explains both the background of the song and the characters who appear in it. An exciting view of history and an intriguing book of baseball trivia combined, this ``Ballgame'' will be met with resounding cheers. All ages. Children's BOMC selection. (Jan.)

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

The illustrations recall the 1947 World Series game between the Dodgers and Yankees at Ebbets Field. The classic song is here with its music and original lyrics. A history of the composer is included as well. The illustrator's passion for baseball is evident here, and he has found a way to slide in information in a way younger children can understand.

Children's Literature - Donna Freedman

Name this tune: "Katie Case was baseball mad, had the fever and had it bad, just to root for the home town crew, ev'ry sound Katie blew...." Give up? Well, the chorus is a little more familiar: "Take me out to the ball game..." The lyrics to the original verses are just some of the trivia you'll learn in this wonderfully evocative children's paperback. The beloved chorus of the song is the only "story" here, accompanied by illustrations based on Game 5 of the 1947 World Series. Gillman used vintage photos as his inspiration, drawing first in pen and ink, then adding watercolors and highlighting with colored pencils. The result is a warm, loving homage to "Dem Bums," their fans and Ebbets Field. The back of the book offers a brief, interesting history of the club and the song, including the fact that neither the lyricist nor the composer ever went to a baseball game. 1999 (orig.

School Library Journal