Friday, April 19, 2013

"Betsy's Day at the Game" by Greg Bancroft and Illustrated by Katherine Blackmore (Review & Giveaway)


It's baseball season, and also time to read a bit about the game! This time around, we'll read Betsy's Day at the Game and see what Betsy and Grandpa are up to.

About the book:  Betsy's Day at the Game is the heartwarming story about family traditions and America's favorite pastime. Betsy loves spending time with her grandfather, especially at the ballpark. Today is another game day, and she is ready to show her grandpa all that she has learned about keeping score. Betsy can keep track of it all--foul balls, home runs, and favorite players--but more exciting things are about to happen at today's game than just what's on her scorecard. The book even includes a full scorecard (with more available online). As John Coy, author of Top of the Order and the 4 for 4 series said, "This book celebrates the ways baseball is passed down through generations. Young fans will connect with Betsy and also learn how to keep score." For parents, grandparents, and especially baseball lovers, what could be better?

My thoughts:  Family dynamics have changed dramatically in the last 50 or 60 years here in America. The ties of generations interacting have diminished or vanished. Respect and love for grandparents and other other relatives has taken a back seat, and we as a nation and world have suffered from this loss.  It is very encouraging to see a charming book that shows a young girl connected so well to her grandfather.  There is most definitely love and respect.  There is the sharing of his knowledge and experience to a granddaughter.  And there is the occasion to experience a much anticipated and welcome day out together.  Now let's actually see a bit into the story....

Betsy and her Grandpa head out to the baseball game and Betsy is delighted to see the amazing ball diamond and stadium.  As the game begins she and Grandpa talk about the team members and their positions, and the way to call a ball, strike, a foul, or out. And how to keep score of each of these events.  Frankly, not being sports minded myself, it was a bit confusing to me. But Betsy and Grandpa seemed to really enjoy themselves doing this.

The game progresses and surprise of surprises! Betsy catches one of the balls!  But that is not the end of the game.  Grandpa insists it isn't over until it's over.  So they stay until the end taking home their happiness and enjoyment with spending the day together, learning about the game, and catching the ball.

A big part of this little book is learning to record and keep score during a baseball game. I found this an interesting concept and one that will appeal to many folks. I found the illustrations lovely and the characters pictured filled with passion for the game.

LINKS OF INTEREST: 

-A short video on scoring by Greg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz4RR-UcrNs
-Link to downloadable additional scorecards:  http://betsyscorecard.scarlettapress.com/


Scarletta Kids Publishing is providing a copy for one of Chat With Vera's readers to win. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter. Begins April 20 and ENDS May 6 at 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA residents only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: Scarletta Kids Publishing provided a complimentary copy of Betsy's Day at the Game in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own.

23 comments:

  1. I'm not sure if I have a game day or not...but I remember every summer growing up, we would go to St. Louis and spend a week there for our vacation. (we lived in north central Illinois. Growing up in a household with 9 kids, my parents took us to places they could afford...like St. Louis; we had the BEST times there)
    I didn't always understand the games, but I sure enjoyed looking around and watching the fans...and watching the vendors going around screaming, "Cold beer heeeeere" or "POPpppppppcorn!" My sister and I would laugh because when we weren't at the games, we watched them on TV and guess what? Her and I would hear the vendors on TV. We always laughed!

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  2. I want to thank my wonderful husband for a fun night. It's so nice to go out now and then without the kids....where we can be adults and act silly if we want to. I love my hubby!
    Thank you Joe!!

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    1. And your hubby loves you! Those evenings out now and then are highlights for me, and I can't imagine anyone I'd rather be there with.

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    2. This is so sweet. Keep the sweetness alive!

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  3. The best game day I ever had was when I had to go to a week long class with 2 coworkers. After class we went to see the Grizzlys play at Fresno, California's Chuckchansi Stadium. Because they are a minor league team, tickets were very inexpensive and we got 3 seats behind home plate. It was the first time I ever saw a game that close. I later tried to recreated the experience with my family but the girls were too young to be interested in the game at all.

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    1. Sounds like you had a really fun day. But isn't that just like kids not to get the full benefit of something like that! ;)

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  4. I visited FB.

    https://www.facebook.com/ScarlettaPress/posts/10151437233096185

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  5. I like your style of writing and the illustrations in your books! Be Happy and keep up the good writing, thank you BL

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  6. I have enjoyed following my kids as they played sport in school. I was proud of them when their team won a game or lost. It was just fun watching them put their hearts into the game. thank you BL

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  7. I have been to several Phillies and Iron Pigs game days. It was always a great time whether they won or not.

    sflickinger at rocketmail dot com

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  8. My dad and I went to A LOT of Red Sox games when i was younger I LOVE Game Day

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  9. I have the best father in the world

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  10. We went to opening day every year growing up. What fun!

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  11. We always enjoyed game day with our family and rooting for our favorite team!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  12. I love my friends and family.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  13. I went a few times as a kid and loved it.

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  14. I always loved watching my boys play baseball
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

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  15. I like to go to the ball park on days that they have fireworks after the game.

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  16. I've never "been to" a game....but we played at my little private school all the time....many childhood memories of gnat inhaling. :)

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  17. The weather was beautiful here in sunny FL today.

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  18. https://www.facebook.com/ScarlettaPress/posts/10151455336581185

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