Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Grosset & Dunlap (1989)
Description
A narrative poem about a celebrated baseball player who strikes out at the crucial moment of a game.
Media reviews
Booklist
Bill Ott (Booklist, Feb. 15, 2001 (Vol. 97, No. 12))
First-time children's book illustrator Bing's take on Casey at the Bat represents, above all, a stunning example of contemporary bookmaking in which the most sophisticated electronic techniques have been used to re-create the past. The text is
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presented as a "newly discovered," 100-year-old scrapbook into which newspaper articles, including Thayer's poem and other memorabilia, have been pasted, recording not only the events of the day--Casey's ninth-inning strikeout and the Mudville nine's four-to-two defeat--but also a broader view of the baseball world in 1888. The poem is illustrated in two-page spreads in which Bing's scratchboard drawings effectively capture the look of engravings used in newspapers of the period. Imposed over the drawings are fictional clippings that amplify issues suggested in the text (on the spread where Jimmy Blake "tears the cover off the ball," an editorial decries the practice of using only one ball throughout a game). Elsewhere, the illustrations depict a black player, and the clipping concerns the soon-to-be-instituted color line. (As with all the fictional clippings, this reference to baseball before the color line is historically accurate.) There is a phenomenal amount of information on baseball history compacted into this fascinating format, and the juxtaposition of memorabilia to text is unfailingly, even exhaustingly, clever (a newspaper ad for "bronchial troches" to cure hoarseness appears alongside the lines "Then from 5,000 throats and more there rose a lusty yell"). As with so many recent tour-de-force picture books, however, questions linger about the audience. For all its brilliance and bravura, this is a far less kid-friendly Casey than Gerald Fitzgerald's 1995 version. Adults, of course, will marvel at the bookmaking and relish the arcane information, but they may meet a fate similar to Casey's when they try to pass on their enthusiasm to their young children. Category: Books for the Young--Nonfiction. 2000, Handprint, $17.95. Ages 5-8.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member RonKaplanNJ
Many of the contributors for Smith's collection doubtlessly can quote verbatim the timeless poem, CASEY AT THE BAT. Since its debut over 100 years ago, dozens of versions have been published, either continuations of the legend of Casey ("Casey's Daughter," "Casey's Revenge"), or parodies following
One of the most renown artists of our generation, LeRoy Neiman, has lent his unique style to illustrate the words of Ernest Lawrence Thayer. Joe Torre, manager of the New York Yankees, offers his thoughts of the importance of this classic in the book's introduction.
Most illustrators put the brawny batter in turn of the 20th century attire, with high collars and pillbox style caps worn at the time. Neiman, however, takes a rather unconventional step, depicting the mighty Casey as a modern-day player, perhaps with a nod to younger readers. Some might consider such a view as heretical, preferring that comforting illusion of baseball played in a simpler, more rustic time. Nevertheless, no one can argue with Neiman when it comes to expressing the dynamic imagery of sports.
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the same fashion and general meter.One of the most renown artists of our generation, LeRoy Neiman, has lent his unique style to illustrate the words of Ernest Lawrence Thayer. Joe Torre, manager of the New York Yankees, offers his thoughts of the importance of this classic in the book's introduction.
Most illustrators put the brawny batter in turn of the 20th century attire, with high collars and pillbox style caps worn at the time. Neiman, however, takes a rather unconventional step, depicting the mighty Casey as a modern-day player, perhaps with a nod to younger readers. Some might consider such a view as heretical, preferring that comforting illusion of baseball played in a simpler, more rustic time. Nevertheless, no one can argue with Neiman when it comes to expressing the dynamic imagery of sports.
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LibraryThing member Warnerp
Such an artistic rendition of the classic poem! No wonder it was a Caldecott Honor Book!
LibraryThing member elizabethhart
Casey at the Bat is a comedic ballad written about an overconfident baseball player in the fictional town of Mudville. The poem reveals the fans’ belief that if Casey could just get up to bat, they could win the game. Losing by two runs with two outs, Casey gets up to bat after teammates before
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him hit a single and a double. However, his overconfident attitude causes him to strike out and the team loses the game. The poem references baseball as it was in the late 1800s and the appeal of the sport that is still relevant today. As one of the few children’s books I have read that ends sadly, I found the book to be a refreshing reminder that everyone should be humble in the face of success and challenge. I also believe the book is a wonderful representation of rhyme in literature – “Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped – ‘That ain’t my style,’ said Casey. ‘Strike one,’ the umpire said.” Show Less
LibraryThing member patrick.brautigan
Summary: A poem about a baseball game. As his team is on the verge of loosing Casey comes to bat and he is the teams last chance for a win. Everybody is absolutely sure that he is going to get a home run and win the game. Even Casey himself believes that he is going to wn the game, but in the end
Personal Review: A great story one that i loved as a kid and it is amazing that this is still around so i can share this story with my kids. Great illistrations and the newspaper format to the book makes this a great and easy read aloud book.
Claswoom Extensions: Can be used to show that even the hero has his off days, even a hero doesnt win all the time every time. Can be used to teach about base ball and sportsmans like conduct.
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Casey strikes out and his team looses.Personal Review: A great story one that i loved as a kid and it is amazing that this is still around so i can share this story with my kids. Great illistrations and the newspaper format to the book makes this a great and easy read aloud book.
Claswoom Extensions: Can be used to show that even the hero has his off days, even a hero doesnt win all the time every time. Can be used to teach about base ball and sportsmans like conduct.
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LibraryThing member jeffbarrois
This is the classic story of Casey, the hero, coming up to save the Mudville team and win the baseball game. The art in this book is very good and creates a real sense of scale and urgency.
LibraryThing member elpowers
Very interesting-old-timey pencil sketches. A nice book for a read aloud with a historical feel.
LibraryThing member KatiePriddle
Summary:
This is the classic poem about a baseball game. It is in the very last moments of the game and Casey is the last chance for a win. Everybody thinks he is going to get a home run. He believes he is going to win the game as well. He shocks everyone, including himself by instead striking
Personal Reaction:
From a young age I enjoyed this poem. Bing really brings it to life with his illustrations. The pictures are a replica of newspaper clippings from that time. This is a really interesting way to portray the story. I can see why it is a Caldecott honor.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. This could introduce a Social Studies unit over America, and the importance of baseball. We would discuss why baseball was created and how it is our ‘national pastime’.
2. I would have the students discuss in class a time when they were disappointed by the outcome of a situation. Next, they would talk with a partner about how they coped with that event.
This is the classic poem about a baseball game. It is in the very last moments of the game and Casey is the last chance for a win. Everybody thinks he is going to get a home run. He believes he is going to win the game as well. He shocks everyone, including himself by instead striking
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out.Personal Reaction:
From a young age I enjoyed this poem. Bing really brings it to life with his illustrations. The pictures are a replica of newspaper clippings from that time. This is a really interesting way to portray the story. I can see why it is a Caldecott honor.
Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. This could introduce a Social Studies unit over America, and the importance of baseball. We would discuss why baseball was created and how it is our ‘national pastime’.
2. I would have the students discuss in class a time when they were disappointed by the outcome of a situation. Next, they would talk with a partner about how they coped with that event.
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LibraryThing member Ashleyreece
Summary:
This book is about a baseball team that is two points down with two outs and are in the bottom of the last inning. The next two at bats get on base and now it is Casey’s turn. Everyone likes Casey and they just know he will hit the winning run. In the end Casey strikes out and his team
Personal Reaction:
I like this book. As an avid softball player/ fanatic this book speaks to me. I have been in the same situation many times.
Extension 1:
I would use this in a lesson on sportsmanship.
Extension 2:
I would have the class talk about a situation that didn’t turn out quite how they had planned for it to.
This book is about a baseball team that is two points down with two outs and are in the bottom of the last inning. The next two at bats get on base and now it is Casey’s turn. Everyone likes Casey and they just know he will hit the winning run. In the end Casey strikes out and his team
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loses. Personal Reaction:
I like this book. As an avid softball player/ fanatic this book speaks to me. I have been in the same situation many times.
Extension 1:
I would use this in a lesson on sportsmanship.
Extension 2:
I would have the class talk about a situation that didn’t turn out quite how they had planned for it to.
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LibraryThing member lmhudson
I thought this book was really cute and fun. I believe that it would be a great read aloud book for children. I thought how it was written in rhymes that made it easy and fun. The illustrations were funny and went great along side the words.
LibraryThing member elizabethholloway
This classic ballad still speaks to children. It engages them with the subject (baseball), tense conflict (Casey will win or lose the game), and memorable rhyme. It has been years since I heard this ballad, and I had forgotten how the narrative builds tension with the audience reaction at each step
On top of what is already great text is an inspired presentation by Christopher Bing. The illustrations are reminiscent of newspapers at from 1888. The text is in newsprint and the illustrations resemble those one might see in the newspapers of that time. Moreover, in the illustrations there is memorabilia that appears to be pasted on top--newspaper clippings, baseball cards, money. The clippings are particularly inspired: they provide additional context for the poem. For example, when two players are referred to as "lulu" and "cake" there is a clipping that tells us that with the advent of baseball gloves, players who chose to use them were considered wimpy and called such names. This book will engage readers at many levels. It would be appropriate for kindergarten to grade 5.
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and the two men at bat. What I did remember that still resonates from when I first heard "Casey" as a child are the last lines and the imagery of the happy people somewhere else.On top of what is already great text is an inspired presentation by Christopher Bing. The illustrations are reminiscent of newspapers at from 1888. The text is in newsprint and the illustrations resemble those one might see in the newspapers of that time. Moreover, in the illustrations there is memorabilia that appears to be pasted on top--newspaper clippings, baseball cards, money. The clippings are particularly inspired: they provide additional context for the poem. For example, when two players are referred to as "lulu" and "cake" there is a clipping that tells us that with the advent of baseball gloves, players who chose to use them were considered wimpy and called such names. This book will engage readers at many levels. It would be appropriate for kindergarten to grade 5.
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LibraryThing member kthomp25
What I found interesting about this book were the references to baseball history. There was a time when everyone played barehande(the illustrations show some players with gloves, some without; 1894 was the last enforced barehanded play, there was a time when no fence separated the fans from the
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field and spectators could interfere with play, there was an unspoken Gentleman's agreement that no black or darks-skinned players were allowed; that ended in 1947. But in the 1880s blacks were playing although the book (in the newspaper editorials on the illustrations makes reference to some grumbling and ostracization occuring). Very informative on a deeper layer than just the text. Show Less
LibraryThing member Junep
Gr 3 Up-Thayer's classic poem of the 19th-century baseball legend has been revived for a new generation in this creatively designed package. From the first look at the cover, produced to resemble a vintage scrapbook, through the interior views of pages from the "Mudville Monitor," Bing has
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orchestrated every detail to great effect. Each double spread, rendered in ink and brush on scratchboard, is a scene from the poem. The multitude of lines adds energy; the multiple perspectives create interest. Overlaid on this tattered "newsprint" is baseball memorabilia (cards, tickets, medallions, postcards), as well as cleverly fabricated ads or editorials that relate to the moment. The book will be enjoyed by intergenerational partners who can pore over the pages and point things out to one another. It would be a gold mine for teachers seeking inspiration for period projects Show Less
LibraryThing member mlsweatman
This book is a good book illustrated by Patricia Polaco. The book is about a liitle league star named Casey that is really good at baseball. I feel the moral of the story is to tell children "not to count their chickens before they hatch." At the end of the book Casey strikes out and his team
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losses the game. I am planning on reading this as a read aloud at some point in this semester. Show Less
LibraryThing member adge73
Nice. I don't love the art, but it works.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
The well known ballad, highlighted by great illustrations of baseball back in the day.
LibraryThing member artlibby
The timelessness of baseball is evidenced in this repackaging of a poem first published in 1889. Baseball fans will delight in the aspects of the game that have changed, which Bing craftily interweaves through newspaper clippings. The illustrator presents the poem against a pseudo-newspaper
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backdrop that appears convincingly real. Although the artifacts were created by the author, he claims to have made every attempt to accurately reflect the issues of 1889. The yellowed newspaper and black "ink" make up the monotone color combination that recreates a 19th Century newspaper landscape. All the details included in the book beg for second and third readings. Readers can decide to read only the poem, or to read all of the historical extras as well! Recommended for elementary school libraries. Show Less
LibraryThing member NancyStorm
Grew up with this poem as baseball was a huge part of our family. My uncle managed the Portland Beavers and my best friend was the pitcher of the State champions in Little League. Great poem that slowly builds the typical setting of a baseball game, with all the trimmings, into the crescendo of the
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critical inning where the reader feels like he is at home plate, swinging the bat at the winning pitch. Great epic poem that will last the ages. Show Less
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Casey at the Bat, illustrated and expanded by Patricia Polacco
First published in 1888, in The San Francisco Examiner, Ernest Thayer's famous baseball poem, in which an overconfident batsman strikes out, bringing disappointment and defeat to the Mudville team, has been expanded and reinvented by
The only one of Polacco's many picture-books that she did not write herself (at least, not in whole), Casey at the Bat presents a unique, and entirely fitting revisionist take on this American classic. Fitting, because Polacco's body of work, as a whole, has a distinctly American ethos - I have seen her books described as "Americana," a judgment with which I would concur - and her artwork is well suited to this tale. I can't say, in all honesty, that Thayer's poem has ever been a personal favorite of mine, but Polacco's presentation certainly makes me feel its hometown charm! Recommended to young baseball enthusiasts, and to fans of the author/artist.
First published in 1888, in The San Francisco Examiner, Ernest Thayer's famous baseball poem, in which an overconfident batsman strikes out, bringing disappointment and defeat to the Mudville team, has been expanded and reinvented by
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prolific children's author and artist Patricia Polacco in this charming picture-book, which presents the cocky batsman as a little league player. Using the poem itself as her main text - "The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day: / The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play" - Polacco adds a brief prose narrative at the beginning and end of her book, filling out the story, and giving it an unexpected, and ultimately heartwarming conclusion.The only one of Polacco's many picture-books that she did not write herself (at least, not in whole), Casey at the Bat presents a unique, and entirely fitting revisionist take on this American classic. Fitting, because Polacco's body of work, as a whole, has a distinctly American ethos - I have seen her books described as "Americana," a judgment with which I would concur - and her artwork is well suited to this tale. I can't say, in all honesty, that Thayer's poem has ever been a personal favorite of mine, but Polacco's presentation certainly makes me feel its hometown charm! Recommended to young baseball enthusiasts, and to fans of the author/artist.
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LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
"And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey has struck out." Those lines have echoed through the decades, the final stanza of a poem published pseudonymously in the June 3, 1888, issue of the San Francisco Examiner. Its author would
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rather have seen it forgotten. Instead, Ernest Thayer's poem has taken a well-deserved place as an enduring icon of Americana. Christopher Bing's magnificent version of this immortal ballad of the flailing 19th-century baseball star is rendered as though it had been newly discovered in a hundred-year-old scrapbook. Bing seamlessly weaves real and trompe l'oeil reproductions of artifacts-period baseball cards, tickets, advertisements, and a host of other memorabilia into the narrative to present a rich and multifaceted panorama of a bygone era. A book to be pored over by children, treasured by aficionados of the sport-and given as a gift to all ages: a tragi-comic celebration of heroism and of a golden era of sport. Show Less
LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
My all-time favorite baseball poem!
But the illustrations in this book kind of creeped me out. Elongated bodies, over-sized hands, and scary faces in the crowd. I would totally read this to my daughter, but I would not show her the pictures. Especially the ones showing the crowd. Yeesh...
But the illustrations in this book kind of creeped me out. Elongated bodies, over-sized hands, and scary faces in the crowd. I would totally read this to my daughter, but I would not show her the pictures. Especially the ones showing the crowd. Yeesh...
LibraryThing member lissabeth21
Not only did I love reading this to my son, and not only did he love hearing it, but THIS remarkable work of painstaking "reproduction" brought the tale of Casey to a whole new level. I spent over 30 minutes on my own marveling at the extras, the illustrations done in so many different formats, the
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intricacies and amazing details imagined by Mr. Bing. Gorgeous! Show Less
LibraryThing member rhoadesm1
The story of "Casey at the Bat" and the Mudville nine is a familiar one, but Bing's illustrations make the story fresh again. The book's layout resembles that of a contemporary newspaper, which gives young students today a glimpse of how people long ago viewed the world. This would be an
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interesting "slice of life" book to accompany a social studies lesson. Show Less
LibraryThing member BrettMartin
"Casey At The Bat" is a poem taking place in 1888 about a star baseball player up to bat at the end of a baseball game. The book gives a background to the history of the poem, stating that it was written by Ernest Thayer in 1888 and became a ballad of the republic. To go along with the poem,
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Christopher Bing creates amazing illustrations that make it seem like you are reading a newspaper article about Casey and the game in 1888, complete with clippings, old time baseball cards, money, and advertisements. This book could be used as a companion to a lesson on post-Civil War America, but any teacher could use this book in their classroom as a lesson on not being too cocky. Show Less
LibraryThing member caseybp
I have always loved this poem!
LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
The popular narrative poem about a celebrated baseball player who strikes out at the crucial moment of a game, with additional text placing it in the context of Little League.
Subjects
Awards
Caldecott Medal (Honor Book — 2001)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2000)
NCTE Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K—Grade 6 (11th Edition: 1993-1995)
Notable Children's Book (2001)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1888
Physical description
8.1 x 7.9 inches
ISBN
0448191121 / 9780448191126