Yogi

December 1, 2018

Gr 2-5-Yogi Berra was a lot of things: a kid from an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis, a World War II vet, an amazing catcher for the New York Yankees, and a man who had a memorable way with words. Rosenstock and Widener use his "Yogi-isms" to highlight a number of difficulties he experienced in his life; in his early struggles as a catcher, Yogi could've said "It's not too far, it just seems like it is." Widener's acrylic illustrations steal the show. He cleverly outlines Yogi in white so that he always stands out to readers and he uses color to signal emotions-red for anger and cool blue for sadness. Rosenstock provides a great amount of back matter, including career stats for catching and hitting, career accomplishments, and a bibliography. The author also includes "A Note About Yogi-isms" to give some insight into how she chose which quotes to include in the book and how readers can find out if Yogi actually said them. In his own words: "I really didn't say everything I said." VERDICT A solid purchase where the Yankees and baseball history are popular, secondary purchase elsewhere.-Kerri Williams, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2019
Grades 1-4 This is a loving tribute to New York Yankee baseball legend Yogi Berra. Back matter documents his amazing career?he earned multiple World Series rings, one for each finger?and complement the storylike text that introduces a simple Italian kid from Saint Louis who loved his family, loved his friends, and really, really loved baseball. Accompanied by some of his most famous malapropisms, the chronological narrative tells how he struggled, persevered, and ignored criticism, including jabs about his physical appearance, to just concentrate on what he did best: catch and hit baseballs. The illustrations capture the wistful, nostalgic mood and provide period details, and, in fitting tribute, always portray him outlined in white, as if enveloped in a halo. This is laudatory but factual, and readers will come away with an appreciation for both the amazing athlete and the humble, unique individual. Source notes, a bibliography, and additional background information elevate this offering into viable research material, making this an entertaining and worthy addition to sports biography collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2019
This excellent picture-book biography covers Yankees catcher Yogi Berra as both baseball player and cultural icon known for his "Yogi-isms." Rosenstock captures young Berra's love of sports (and aversion to school); his struggles making it into the major leagues; his reactions to hurtful comments about his homely appearance; and his passion for the game. Widener's illustrations in vibrant, appropriately brawny acrylics ably capture Berra's short stature and big personality. Bib.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2019
New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra (1925-2015) was one of the most colorful characters in baseball?in addition to being one of the most gifted, dedicated, decorated, and longest working. The Yogi-isms attributed to him ( It ain't over till it's over; When you come to a fork in the road, take it ) have passed into common parlance?and this picture-book biography by the team behind The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America's Hero (rev. 5/14) does an excellent job covering Berra as both baseball player and cultural icon. Beginning with his childhood in the Italian American section of St. Louis, Rosenstock captures young Berra's love of sports and his aversion to school (when asked how he liked school, he'd answer, Closed ); his struggles to make it into the major leagues; his reactions to sportswriters' and players' hurtful comments about his homely appearance ( So? I don't hit with my face ); and his passion for the game. She details how Berra, a talented hitter, worked hard to become an equally skilled catcher, and how he eventually made home plate his living room, becoming famous for chatting with batters and throwing them off their game. Widener's illustrations in vibrant, appropriately brawny acrylics ably capture Berra's short stature and big personality. Thorough back matter concludes the book, including a double-page spread of Berra's amazing stats, a bibliography, an author's note, several photographs, and source notes. martha v. parravano

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)