Say-Hey and the Babe: Two Mostly True Baseball Stories

Waldman, Neil. Say-Hey and the Babe: Two Mostly True Baseball Stories. Illustrated by the author. Holiday House: 2006. Ages 8-12.

This book is based on two true baseball events with a little twist. the kids aren't real people, but the events, players, and stadiums are. It is historical fiction and it informs and entertains the reader. The pictures are one of a kind. The monotone illustrations are rendered in pen and ink. The color illustrations are rendered in watercolor, acrylic, and graphite. Both types are on Arches hotpressed watercolor paper. The pictures, while they don't have much detail, are actually captivating. The dialogue uses great accents which help you get a feel for the story and how things were. The text is written with a leisurely pace. I thought the information was interesting and easy to follow. The pictures gave a sense of of when the events took place which made me feel like I was there. I would recommend this book for ages 8 to 12.

Reviewed by C.S., 8th grade, Van Buren Middle School