"The tale is entirely fictional, but it manages to capture the essence of that extraordinary time and the larger-than-life persona that was Babe Ruth. Hyman invests George's voice with boyish enthusiasm and conversational language filled with contemporary syntax. Pullen's oddly proportioned, compelling illustrations, rendered in oil paint and walnut oil, are in perfect tandem with the nostalgic spirit of the text and wonderfully depict every aspect of the characters' emotions ...." - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
"Pullen's oversize oil paintings .... [are] an inspired complement to the wry humor. Mixing just the right amount of nostalgia, pitch-perfect storytelling, and baseball fantasy, Pullen and Hyman have crafted a winning tale for readers, young and old—even Red Sox fans will find it irresistible." - School Library Journal
03/24/2014
In Hyman's inventive baseball fairy tale, it's 1927 and a diehard Yankees fan named George is finally attending his first baseball game—and a New York–Boston game, no less. There's only one catch: Ma insists he wears a Red Sox uniform given to him by a misguided relative. Feeling like “the biggest traitor in the world," George ends up having a heart-to-heart with the Bambino himself, and comes away with an autographed baseball card, the Babe's own jersey, and a life lesson to boot. Pullen, who worked with Hyman on Hockey Hero, skirts sentiment and nostalgia with vibrant, larger-than-life oils; in this fairy tale, the pixie dust is New York exceptionalism. But the real draw may be actor Jason Alexander's exuberantly avuncular and occasionally Seinfeldian performance on an accompanying CD. Punctuated with period music, sound effects, and some fine characterizations, Alexander transports readers to a time when the “important stuff" in a kid's pocket was “a bunch of marbles, a couple of jacks, and some bottle caps," and Babe Ruth could be earnestly described as “more famous than Tarzan. He was every kid's hero!" Ages 6–9. (Apr.)
06/01/2014
Gr 2–4—In 1927, 10-year-old George follows his beloved Yankees and their star, Babe Ruth, on the radio. With no money for tickets, he can only dream of seeing a game. Then his parents surprise him with a pair of tickets for his birthday. Alas, Uncle Alvin in Boston has also sent a present: a Red Sox jersey and cap, which his mother insists that he wear to the game. When George angrily protests, she washes his mouth out with soap. Crestfallen, he trudges to the game with his dad, with the catcalls of Yankee fans ringing in his ears, noting, "I would've rather kissed a girl—that's how bad it was!" A delightful surprise awaits him at the ballpark. Pullen's oversize oil paintings memorably capture the farcically exaggerated emotions. George and the other characters have rubbery faces with prominent noses and knobby chins and ears. Falling between caricature and cartoon, they're an inspired complement to the wry humor. Mixing just the right amount of nostalgia, pitch-perfect storytelling, and baseball fantasy, Pullen and Hyman have crafted a winning tale for readers, young and old—even Red Sox fans will find it irresistible—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
The sounds of city streets, jazz music, and clattering tableware transport the listener to a modest Bronx kitchen in 1927, where 10-year-old George Alexander receives the birthday present of his dreams—a ticket to see the New York Yankees. Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”), with his well-known accent, enthusiasm, and love of baseball, is the perfect narrator, playing up George’s jubilation and then his outrage as he learns he must wear a Boston Red Sox jersey to the game. The sounds of catcalls from neighborhood boys add to his misery as he trudges to the ballpark. At the game, however, George and listeners are uplifted by the sounds of baseball—the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and, finally, the cavernous voice of George’s idol, Babe Ruth. L.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
★ 2014-03-31
The historic rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox is the catalyst for a young fan's extraordinary adventures in Yankee Stadium. George Alexander loves the Yankees and his hero Babe Ruth, but he is torn between joy and despair when he is forced to wear the Red Sox jersey and cap his uncle sent him to a Yankees-Red Sox game. The outfit causes quite a stir in his neighborhood and at the game, where he endures jeers and is pelted with peanuts, making George feel like a traitor. When the Great Bambino comes to the plate, he seems to notice that flash of red in the bleachers, points and hits a huge homer. After the game, George is escorted to meet the Babe, who treats him with great kindness and encouragement. Though related as a "memoir" by George as an old man, the tale is entirely fictional, but it manages to capture the essence of that extraordinary time and the larger-than-life persona that was Babe Ruth. Hyman invests George's voice with boyish enthusiasm, and the conversational language is characterized by contemporary syntax. Pullen's oddly proportioned, compelling illustrations, rendered in oil paint and walnut oil, are in perfect tandem with the nostalgic spirit of the text and wonderfully depict every aspect of the characters' emotions. Actor Jason Alexander's CD recording of the story is included. Lively, fun-filled and altogether delightful. (author's note) (Picture book. 6-10)
