In these 15 poems, Douglas Florian (Comets, Stars, the Moon, and Mars) tips his cap to the All-American pastime, from positions in the infield to staples of the game (such as stealing bases).
Odes to the pitcher and catcher will appeal to baseball fanatics, due to Florian's fluid incorporation of classic pitches. "I'm the curve-ball creator,/ The man on the mound./ The great devastator,/ Where fastballs are found," opens the poem for "Pitcher," as a fellow with limbs to rival Randy Johnson's occupies the entire two-page spread. A line about his sinker demonstrates how it "plummets," with the letters for that word falling down the page, while his riser similarly "climbs summits" up the page. The man behind home base ("Catcher") proves he's up to the task of partnering with such a pitcher. "I can catch curve balls./ I can catch heat./ I can catch sliders/ With glove or with feet."
But the poem that achieves perfection, in its ability to pay homage to the game and also to the form that celebrates it in these pages, is "Base Stealer": "With greatest greed/ I take my lead./ My greatest need/ Is speed./ I steal your base/ Before your face./ You blink--/ I've done the deed./ .../ And you should know,/ Before I go,/ That I will steal this poem." Only the base stealer's right arm and leg remain visible in the accompanying artwork. Whether children are newcomers to the game or proven fans, this collection will bring new appreciation to what goes on in the ballpark.--Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness