Reviews

Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

veritas19's review against another edition

4.0

I’m not one to pick up poetry often. I am also not a huge sports fan, especially baseball. I will be the first to admit it but this poem was actually quite good. The illustrations were astonishingly good too for a poetry book. Ken Bachaus brought life to the baseball game and I enjoyed the yellow and brown pastels pictures. They were very detailed and creative. I also enjoyed the story. I was fun and exciting and you wanted so badly for Casey to get a chance to bat. Casey up to the plate and he finally has his chance. He tries to keep the crowd from killing the ump or causing any harm. The crowd is so excited by the game that you can’t help feel their excitement too. When Casey finally put his game face on you thought there is no chance he could miss. Then you are surprised when they end with him striking out. I really enjoyed the tension of the poem, as it got closer to the climax. I was actually disappointed with the ending but I am sure I am not the only one. This was a poem that I wouldn’t mind reading again.

annikajvo's review

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

4.5

Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 was written by Earnest Lawrence Thayer and illustrated by Christopher Bing (2001, hardcover). This would be a great book for any 3rd-5th grade baseball lovers. It could also be used in the classroom to talk about this historical event and learn about rhyming. 

mjfmjfmjf's review

3.0

This is a great book that I appreciated but just didn't like. And it turned this famed poem into something special and detailed. And there was so much on every page that you could have spent a long time looking. Definitely a could be a favorite book for the right kid. But will also drive some parents mad.

kimberlyjerger's review

4.0

*4

2001 Caldecott Honor

beecheralyson's review

4.0

Caldecott Honor 2001

yapha's review

5.0

Casey at the Bat has been a favorite poem of mine since childhood, and it is now one of my favorite poems to read aloud. The illustrations by Christopher Bing in this version, however, take it to a whole new level. The details are phenomenal and the students are stunned that these are illustrations and not photographs. They really help to bring this classic poem to life for a new generation. Recommended for all ages to share together.

libraryrobin's review

5.0

My new favorite illustrations to my old favorite poem. Reminiscent of Chris van Allsburg's style.

madissenvermeer's review

emotional inspiring medium-paced

2.75

 Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer is a narrative poetry book. This book was published on January 1, 1978, and is for ages 10+. This poem tells the story of a famous baseball player who doesn't perform well during a big moment in the game. This poem also has additional text that is placing this event during a little league game. I liked this poem and thought it was interesting how it takes a big event and compares it to a little league game. I would have this poem in my classroom library because it is a poetry book and includes a sport that many people would love. <baseball> <poetry> <Little League>

staceym's review

I read the book every year to my students on Opening Day. My copy is special to me because it was autographed in 2001 before the Red Sox won the World Series again.

calistareads's review

4.0

I love the Disney cartoon short of this little story. It’s funny and pretty much the same thing. No one is really into baseball in this house, but my dad is. He played every sport in his high school and he has an enduring love for his baseball cardinals when they were in St. Louis. So my dad is visiting at the moment and I let him read this to everyone while he was here. It was a family story time.

I gave this 4 stars because how they tell the story with old newspaper clippings was really interesting and unique. It really fit the story perfectly. It puts you in the feel of being in baseball.

With everything we did to make the story fun, the kids are not into baseball (me either). The nephew did like the ending where Casey strikes out. He thought that was funny, but that was all he cared for. Still, his Poppy was very entertaining and he put in all the historical commentary and the kids loved seeing Poppy be so silly. He gave this 4 stars for the whole experience. The niece laughed at her Poppy. She said she didn’t care for the story, but it was fun anyway. She enjoyed seeing Poppy swing his hips like he was going to bat. She gave this 3 stars.