Author : Jonah Winter, Illustrator : Jonah Winter
Preschool - 2nd Grade

Beisbol

Beisbol, Softcover, Spanish, Book, Jonah Winter, Jonah Winter, Preschool - 2nd Grade, 9780584300366, $8.95
Beisbol, Softcover, English, Book, Jonah Winter, Jonah Winter, Preschool - 2nd Grade, 9781584302346, $8.95

$121.80 for Story Collection Orange Books Spanish Set, Including 20%-Off, Free Shipping, and No Sales Tax : 2 Hardcover Bilingual Books, 12 Softcover Spanish Books, and 1 Softcover Bilingual Book

"Choices", Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
40 Books about Sports for 2003, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

A celebration of Latino baseball superstars from 1900-1960 who were pioneers of the sport.

Baseball, known as America’s favorite pastime, is a favorite sport in Latin America as well. In this fascinating and colorfully written collection of profiles, author/illustrator Jonah Winter -- following the success of FAIR BALL!, his earlier book on the Negro Leagues -- gives us a guide to Latino heroes, including little known pioneers of the sport.

Readers learn stats and anecdotes about fourteen players including Dolf Luque, the Cuban pitcher who became the first Latin American star in the major leagues; Roberto Clemente, the legendary Puerto Rican outfielder of the 1950s and 1960s; and Felipe Alou, the first full-time Dominican star in the majors who later became the first Latin American Manager of the Year. Each profile is accompanied by a stunning portrait rendered to resemble traditional baseball cards. ¡BÉISBOL! recalls the drama of Latin American stars with all the color, grit, and style that should now be part of U.S. baseball history.

"Before 1947, Latino baseball players like their African-American counterparts, found that acceptance into the Major Leagues was based on the tint of their skin rather than the talent they possessed. Many of these players were known and admired, and were able to display their impressive talents in exhibition games against star white players, but were not allowed to play on a Major League team. Winter (FAIR BALL, 1999) profiles 14 Latino ballplayers, 7 of whom never had their chance at the Majors. The author has selected an interesting, well-balanced variety of players and offers the information in an eye-catching, highly readable format. Each player is presented in a two-page spread that resembles the front and back of a baseball card. The text page is comprised of statistics and a brief biography of each personality and his career. The brightly colored acrylic illustration depicts the player in action and each "card" is placed on a bright blue or purple background and is framed in yellow. These cards introduce the reader to Dolf Luque, a light-skinned Cuban who played for several Major League teams from 1912 to 1932, and to others with darker skin like Tetelo Vargas and Martin Dihigo, who played their entire careers in the Negro Leagues and in leagues throughout Latin America. Perucho Cepeda and Luis Tiant Sr. were also barred, but lived to see their sons forge impressive Major League careers. Major League stars like Minnie Minoso, Roberto Clemente, and Juan Marichal appear here as well. An introduction by Bruce Markusen Rodríguez of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum sets the stage for what follows: an attempt to address a neglected facet of the development of baseball and its relation to American societal history via fascinating anecdotes about both well-known and unknown baseball heroes. Sure to appeal to young baseball fans and their parents." –KIRKUS REVIEWS

"[A] welcome addition to any baseball collection." –SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

"[Children who collect baseball cards will appreciate the 14 stars featured in ¡Béisbol! Latino Baseball Pioneers and Legends by Jonah Winter. Striking full-page portraits accompany biographical information on standouts such as José Méndez, the "first Latino baseball legend ever," known as "El Diamante Negro" (The Black Diamond) and Roberto Clemente, "The Pride of Puerto Rico," who died in a plane crash helping to aid Nicaraguan earthquake victims." –PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

"Following the format of Fair Ball!, Winter presents fourteen early Latin American baseball superpowers who collectively clawed their way to U.S. recognition, respect, and finally, acclaim. Although all highlighted players are notable for prowess on the field, the range of national background, professional experience, and name recognition for North American readers is quite broad...Winter's text pumps the stats and career hype certain to please browsers and serious readers alike, and his baseball-card-style acrylic action "shots" capture the glaring whites, Day-Glo color highlights, and deep shadows of a blazing summer day at the park. A brief introduction comments generally on racial discrimination in the U.S. major leagues...A concluding "Players at a Glance" page summarizes the superlatives, suggesting some strong candidates for a fresh set of sports heroes." –THE BULLETIN FOR THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS

"Although it is a picture book tailored to children, any baseball fan child or adult, will profit from reading this book and looking at the good drawings of Latino baseball legends." –MULTICULTURAL REVIEW

"Béisbol! introduces the reader to Latino players from the past and is a suitable addition to school and public libraries." –LIBRARY TALK, recommended

"Latin American players faced discrimination in major league baseball, and many helped break down the barriers. That’s the can-do theme of this collection of 14 brief biographies honoring the perserverance and prowess of pioneers like Dolf Luque, Juan Marichal and Felipe Alou, all part of Giants history." –SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, BOOK REVIEW

"With very little information available about these players, the English edition of the book is a solid title for most libraries. The Spanish edition is an essential selection for libraries serving Spanish-speaking communities." –BAYVIEWS, ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S LIBRARIRANS

"This book gives an exciting look at fourteen great Latino baseball players. Any baseball fan would love this book. For each player, there is an illlustrated picture, a fact sheet, and a short biography. The book is a great way to get young students excited about other cultures or, perhaps, their own culture. It helps older students understand the hardships, struggles, and amazing accomplishments of these 14 great men. Neither baseball, nor its fans should forget the contributions of these men.." –LIBRARY MATERIALS GUIDE, CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL

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