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  • Hardcover: $16.95
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-329-0
  • Total Pages: 32
  • Size: 9 1/2 x 11
  • Language: English
  • Rights: World
  • Status: active
  • Add Format to Cart
  • Paperback: $8.95
  • ISBN: 978-1-56145-531-7
  • Total Pages: 32
  • Size: 9 1/2 x 11
  • Language: English
  • Rights: World
  • Status: active

Dad, Jackie, and Me


"It was Opening Day, 1947. And every kid in Brooklyn knew this was our year. The Dodgers were going to go all the way!"

It is the summer of 1947 and a highly charged baseball season is underway in New York. Jackie Robinson is the new first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers—and the first black player in Major League Baseball. A young boy shares the excitement of Robinson's rookie season with his deaf father.

Each day he listens eagerly to the Brooklyn Dodgers games on the radio. When his father arrives home from work, the boy uses sign language to tell him about the Dodgers. His father begins to keep a scrapbook, clipping photos and articles about Jackie. Finally one day the father delivers some big news: they are going to Ebbets Field to watch Jackie play in person!

Author Myron Uhlberg offers a nostalgic look back at 1947, and pays tribute to Jackie Robinson, the legendary athlete and hero who brought a father and son—and an entire New York community—together for one magical summer. Illustrator Colin Bootman's realistic, full-color illustrations capture the details of the period and the excitement of an entire city as Robinson helps the Dodgers win the long-awaited pennant.

Author & Illustrator


Author Photo

Myron Uhlberg is the author of several picture books. A retired businessman, he lives in California.

Author Photo

Colin Bootman was born in Trinidad but moved to the United States at the age of seven. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, he has illustrated numerous books for children, including Dad, Jackie, and Me. Almost to Freedom was a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. Bootman lives in New York City.

You can visit Colin Bootman’s website here.


Reviews


“...an affecting tribute to Robinson, to a dedicated son and to a thoughtful, deep-feeling father. And, of course, to baseball.” ―Publishers Weekly

“...genuinely affecting... Bootman's realistic, wonderfully expressive watercolor paintings capture the fashions and flavor of 1940's New York in muted brows and greens. The endpapers, an actual scrapbook of old newspaper articles about Robinson, provide a satisfying context for this ultimately upbeat, multi-dimensional story.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Bootman's lovely watercolor paintings add detail and wistful nostalgia... [readers] will appreciate the story's insightful treatment of deafness as viewed through the eyes of a child.” ―School Library Journal

“It takes the young Uhlberg, narrator of the story, a while to overcome his embarrassment at his father's attempts to cheer for Robinson...but eventually Dad's devotion wins the day in a moving finale. Colin Bootman, who earned a Coretta Scott Honor Award for Almost to Freedom (2003), uses evocative watercolors rich in soft browns and lush greens to capture both the feel of the 1940s (fedora-wearing fans) and the electricity of Robinson's play.” ―Booklist

“[Bootman's] rich watercolors evoke the deep shadows of summer afternoons at the ballpark and the easy camaraderie between father and son.” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“...A moving and uplifting story commemorated in realistic watercolors and winner of The Teacher's Choice Award and the Schneider Family Book Award. Wonderful!” ―Picture Book Reviews blog

Awards


Schneider Family Book Award ―American Library Association 2006

Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts ―NCTE 2006

Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―NCSS/CBC 2006

Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities ―IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Disabled Young People 2007

Teachers' Choices (primary) ―IRA 2006

Comstock Book Award ―Minnesota State University Moorhead 2006

Outstanding Book Award (Honorable Mention) ―The Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights 2005

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People (Special Recognition) ―The Poetry Center at Passiac County Community College) 2006

SCBA Book Awards (nominee, children's books) ―Southern California Booksellers Association 2005

Children's Crown Award (honor book) ―National Christian School Association 2007-2008

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (starred, primary) ―Kansas National Education Association 2006

Virginia Readers' Choice (Elementary list) ―Virginia State Reading Association 2009-2010

Young Hoosier Book Award (nominee, picture book) ―Association for Indiana Media Educators 2008-2009

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards (nominee, grades 3-6) ―PSLA 2008-2009

Charlotte Award (nominee) ―New York State Reading Association 2008

California Young Reader Medal (nominee, picture book for older readers) ―CRA, CLA, CATE, CSLA 2007-2008

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (nominee) ―Maryland Educational Media Association 2007-2008

Children's Book Award (nominee) ―Florida Reading Association 2006-2007

Show Me Readers Award (nominee) ―Missouri Association of School Librarians 2007

Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Master List) ―New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of IRA 2007-2008

Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award (nominee) ―Kansas Reading Association 2006-2007

North Carolina Children's Book Award (nominee, picture book category) ―North Carolina Reading Association 2007

KC3 Reading Program (nominee) ―Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians 2007-2008

Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Awards (reading list) ―Arkansas Department of Education 2007-2008

Living the Dream Children's Book Award (nominee) ―Manhattan Country School 2006-2007

Storytelling World Resource Awards (winner, Stories for Pre-Adolescent Listeners) ―Storytelling World magazine 2006