Picture Books: Sports
Various Sports (See also J 796)
Berenstain, Stan and Jan. The Berenstain Bears’ Report Card Trouble J PB PIC B
When Brother Bear's spends too much time on sports and brings home a terrible report card, the whole family pitches in to help him improve his grades.
Bridwell, Norman. Clifford’s Sports Day J PB PIC B
Clifford goes to school with Emily Elizabeth to participate in the outdoor sports day activities.
Carlson, Nancy L. Get Up and Go! J PIC CAR
Text and illustrations encourage readers, regardless of shape or size, to turn off the television and play games, walk, dance, and engage in sports and other forms of exercise.
Goodstein, Madeline. Sports Science Projects: the Physics of Balls in Motion J 530.078 GOO and J 507.8 GOO
Presents experiments and science fair projects that demonstrate the differences between kinds of sports balls and the relationship between their design and performance.
Heine, Helme. The Boxer and the Princess J PIC HEI
Max was a gentle rhinoceros, his skin tender and thin. His father told him he had to toughen up, and he surrounded his body with physical protection, such as armor and an iron helmet. Along with his body, his feelings were locked up tight and there was no key to open him.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Sports! Sports! Sports!: a Poetry Collection J PIC HOP
A collection of poems celebrating the joy and anguish of baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, soccer, skating, swimming, and running races.
LaMarche, Jim. The Raft J PIC LAM
Reluctuant Nicky spends a wonderful summer with Grandma who introduces him to the joy of rafting down the river near her home and watching the animals along the banks.
Lasky, Kathryn. Tumble Bunnies J PIC LAS
Feeling inept in the team sports scheduled for his school's Gymboree, Clyde the rabbit develops his own event, a freestyle tumbling routine with a dazzling move called the "twirly burly."
Lester, Helen. Tacky and the Winter Games J PIC LES
Tacky and his fellow penguins on
McDaniel, Becky Bring. Larry and the Cookie J PIC MCD
After playing on the slide and swing, riding his bike, and playing basketball and football, Larry has trouble finding the cookie he stashed in his pocket. Larry puts one of his favorite cookies into the front of his overalls and goes to play football. When the game is over, Larry cannot find the cookie until he discovers crumbs. The simple colored paintings and minimal text work well together.
Prelutsky, Jack. Good Sports J 811.54 PRE
An illustrated collection of poems for children about various sports activities.
Rex, Michael. Dunk Skunk J PIC REX
Sport actions rhyme with the names of animals who love to play, such as Goal Mole, Dunk Skunk, and Hurdle Turtle.
Rockwell, Anne. Chip and the Karate Kick J PIC ROC
D Chip starts taking karate lessons to be like the hero of his favorite television show, but his impatience to earn a belt gets in the way of learning the true spirit of karate.
Rosen, Michael J. Balls! J PIC ROS
Learn about the balls used in basketball, soccer, football, tennis, handball, golf, volleyball, and ping pong: how they're made, why they look the way they do, some amazing facts about their history...and a bit about the games that use them, too.
Football (See Also J 796.332)
Allard, Harry. Miss Nelson Has a Field Day J PB PIC ALL
The notorious
Barber, Tiki and Ronde. By My Brother’s Side. J PIC BAR
Introduces twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber, who worked hard to overcome obstacles and became National Football League stars, one as runningback for the New York Giants, the other as cornerback for the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Barber, Tiki and Ronde. Teammates J PIC BAR
A story of teamwork and perseverance based on the childhood of National Football League stars and twin brothers Tiki and Ronde Barber.
Bildner, Phil. The Greatest Game Ever Played: a Football Story J PIC BIL
When their beloved baseball team, the New York Giants, moves to California, Sam and Pop switch their loyalties to the other New York Giants and attend their championship game with the Baltimore Colts. Includes historical note.
Carlson,
Though she plans to try out for cheerleading, Louanne Pig helps her friend Arnie try out for football, with surprising results.
Delton, Judy. Blue Skies, French Fries J PB EASY
The Pee Wee Scouts practice hard for their upcoming football game against Troop 15 from Oakdale.
George Jean Craighead. Nutik & Amaroq Play Ball J PIC GEO
While searching for a missing football, a young Eskimo boy and his wolf pup friend nearly get lost on the tundra.
Walton, Rick and Ann. Take a Hike: Riddles About Football J 793.7 WAL
A collection of riddles about the game of football, including "What do football kickers wear?" "Puntaloons."
Baseball (See Also J 796.357)
Adler, David A. The Babe & I J PIC ADL
While helping his family make ends meet during the Depression by selling newspapers, a boy meets Babe Ruth.
Berenstain, Stan & Jan. The Berenstain Bears Go Out For the Team J PB PIC B
Brother and Sister Bear are such good baseball players that Papa Bear decides they should try out for the Bear Country Cub League.
Brown, Marc. Arthur Makes the Team J PB PIC BRO
Arthur is thrilled to make the Little League team but worries that he won't be able to play as well as all his friends.
Christopher, Matt. Zero's Slider J PB Easy C
While trying to ask Uncle Pete to coach for the Peach Street Mudders, Zero discovers that he can throw a slider when there's a big bandage on his injured thumb.
Christopher, Matt. The Catcher's Mask J Easy CHR
Mudders' catcher Rudy Calhoun is having a bad season behind the plate until, at a yard sale, he buys a used catcher's mask that greatly improves his playing.
Cohen, Ron. My Dad's Baseball J PIC COH
A father tells his son about going to his first game and getting a ball signed by Yogi Berra.
Cooney, Doug. I Know Who Likes You J PIC COO
When Swimming Pool's mother insists she graduate from charm school or give up baseball, Ernie, who is the reluctant team manager, and Dusty, the catcher, pull together to help the team and their friend.
Curtis, Gavin. The Bat Boy & His Violin J PIC CUR
Reginald is more interested in practicing his violin than in his father's job managing the worst team in the Negro Leagues, but when Papa makes him the bat boy and his music begins to lead the team to victory, Papa realizes the value of his son's passion.
Egan, Tim. Roasted Peanuts J PIC EGA
Sam the horse gets picked to be on the local baseball team, but unfortunately his friend Jackson the cat, despite being a good thrower, is not selected.
Isadora, Rachel. Max J PIC ISA and J PB PIC I
Max finds a new way to warm up for his Saturday baseball game--his sister's dancing class.
Isadora, Rachel. Luke Goes to Bat J PIC ISA
Luke is not very good at baseball, but his grandmother and sports star Jackie Robinson encourage him to keep trying.
Johnson, Angela. Just Like Josh Gibson J PIC JOH
A young girl's grandmother tells her of her love for baseball and the day they let her play in the game even though she was a girl.
Jordan, Deloris and Roslyn. Michael's Golden Rules J PIC JOR
Jonathan's friend Michael, Michael's parents, and Jonathan's family help him do his best in the Badgers' big baseball game.
Kovalski, Maryann. Take Me Out to the Ball Game J PIC KOV
The lyrics of the familiar song, with illustrations showing two baseball-mad girls enjoying a ball game with their grandmother.
Lester, Helen. Batter Up, Wombat! J PIC LES
An Australian wombat joins the Champs baseball team, and even though he is disastrously ignorant about the game, his innate talents save everyone when a tornado suddenly strikes.
London, Jonathan. Froggy Plays T-Ball J PIC LON
Froggy looks forward to playing in his first T-ball game but finds it hard to remember the rules.
Lorbiecki, Marybeth. Jackie's Bat J PIC LOR
Joey, the batboy for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, learns a hard lesson about respect for people of different races after Jackie Robinson joins the team. Joey, the batboy for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, learns a hard lesson about respect for people of different races after Jackie Robinson joins the team.
Madison, Alan. Pecorino Plays Ball J PIC MAD
Pecorino Sasquatch proves that he is still the silliest boy in the world when his first day of Little League arrives and he realizes he has never hit or caught a baseball before--nor even chewed bubblegum.
McCully, Emily Arnold. Grandmas at Bat J EASY MCC
Pip's two grandmothers, who cannot agree on anything, take over coaching her baseball team and create chaos.
McCully, Emily Arnold. Mouse Practice J PIC MCC
Monk the little mouse learns from his parents that practice is the way to succeed--whether it is in playing baseball or in playing music.
Michelson, Richard. Across the Alley J PIC MIC
Jewish Abe's grandfather wants him to be a violinist while African-American Wille's father plans for him to be a great baseball pitcher, but it turns out that the two boys are more talented when they switch hobbies.
Mochizuki, Ken. Baseball Saved Us J PIC MOC and J PB PIC M
A Japanese American boy learns to play baseball when he and his family are forced to live in an internment camp during WWII, and his ability to play helps him after the war is over.
Norworth, Jack. Take Me Out To the Ballgame J PIC NOR
The lyrics of the familiar song, illustrated by pictures based on the World Series games played between the Dodgers and the Yankees in 1949 in Ebbets Field.
Oechsli, Kelly. Mice at Bat J Easy OEC and J PB Easy O
When the human baseball game is over, two teams of mice take over the ballpark to play their own championship ball game.
Parish, Peggy. Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia J PB Easy P
Amelia Bedelia, who knows very little about baseball, stands in for a player during a game.
Paxton, Tom. The Jungle Baseball Game J PIC PAX
The jungle animals enjoy a rousing game of baseball.
Posada, Jorge. Play ball! J PIC POS
Presents a story of right-handed Jorge Posada being coached by his father to bat left-handed, and how it leads right to the major leagues.
Tavares, Matt. Zachary's Ball J PIC TAV
Dad takes Zachary to his first Boston Red Sox game where they catch a ball and something magical happens.
Tavares, Matt. Mudball J PIC TAV
During a rainy Minneapolis Millers baseball game in 1903, Little Andy Oyler has the chance to become a hero by hitting the shortest and muddiest home run in history.
Tavares, Matt. Oliver's Game J PIC TAV
Oliver's grandfather tells him the story of how he almost joined the Chicago Cubs.
Welch, Willy. Playing Right Field J PIC WEL
Although he is always chosen last and sent to play in right field, a young boy discovers the importance of that position.
Wheeler, Lisa. Dino-Baseball J PIC WHE
Plant-eating dinosaurs face meat-eating dinosaurs on the baseball diamond.
Basketball (See also J 796.323)
Garland, Michael. Hooray José! J PIC GAR
Because he is such a short mouse, José is never picked to play basketball, but his determination to play well and a lot of practice get him on the team and give him the ability to step in when the star player is injured the day of the playoffs.
Greenfield, Eloise. For the Love of the Game: Michael Jordan and Me J PIC GRE
Two children discover the importance of determination and find inspiration in the life of Michael Jordan.
Minters, Frances. Cinder-Elly J CD MIN (Book and CD, in a hanging bag)
In this version of the traditional fairy tale, the overworked younger sister gets to go to a basketball game and meets a star player, Prince Charming.
Noble, Trinka Hakes. Jimmy's Boa and the Bungee Jump Slam Dunk J PIC NOB
Jimmy's boa constrictor creates havoc in his gym class and his antics leads to the formation of an unusual basketball team.
Smith, Charles R., Jr. Hoop Kings : Poems by J PIC SMI
A collection of twelve poems that celebrate contemporary basketball stars, including Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant.
Hockey (See also J 796.962)
Bailey, Linda. The Farm Team J PIC BAI
Holabird, Katharine. Angelina Ice Skates J PIC HOL
Angelina and some other mice are preparing for a New Year's Eve ice skating show, but the hockey players keep getting in the way until Angelina gets them involved.
Sederman, Marty. Casey and Derek on the Ice J PIC SED
A rhyming tale of an underdog hockey team's last minute attempt to win a big game.
Stevenson, James. Sam the Zamboni Man J PIC STE
Matt visits his grandfather, who operates the Zamboni at the hockey rink, and on his last night there, he becomes the youngest Zamboni driver of all time.
Soccer (See also J 796.334)
Berenstain, Jan and Stan. The Berenstain Bears Get Their Kicks J PB PIC B
When Brother and Sister try out for soccer teams, Papa is at first disappointed that they do not want to play baseball, but he changes his mind when he sees them practice.
Bourgeois, Paulette.
Blackaby, Susan. The Best Soccer Player J EASY BLA
When the children play soccer, Katy is the best player of them all.
Burleigh, Robert. Goal J PIC BUR
Illustrations and poetic text describe the movement and feel of a soccer game.
Christopher, Matt. All Keyed Up J EASY CHR
When his soccer teammate and new friend Stookie asks him to take care of his gerbils while he is on vacation, Jerry is happy to agree, but then disaster strikes.
Elliott, Laura Malone. Hunter & Stripe and the Soccer Showdown J PIC ELL
When Hunter and Stripe, two raccoons who are best friends, play on opposing soccer teams, they must figure out a way to keep the competition on the field from spoiling their friendship.
Finchler, Judy. You’re a Good Sport Mrs. Malarkey J PIC FIN
The children on a newly formed soccer team love their coach, Miss Malarky, who doesn't know much about the game except how to make it fun, but the school principal and parents have other ideas.
Gikow, Louise. The Big Game J EASY GIK
A child who has trouble with some of the soccer skills finds an important role as goalie.
Hamm, Mia. Winners Never Quit! J PIC HAM
Shows that being a team player is more important than winning or losing a game.
Kessler, Leonard. Old Turtle's Soccer Team J EASY KES
Under Turtle's guidance, animals learn how to play soccer and the meaning of good sportsmanship.
London, Jonathan. Froggy Plays Soccer J PIC LON
Although Froggy is very excited when his Dream Team plays for the city soccer championship, he makes a mistake on the field that almost costs the team the game.
McNaughton, Colin.
Preston Pig uses his amazing soccer skills to help him escape from hungry Mr. Wolf.
Marzollo, Claudio. Kenny and the Little Kickers J PB EASY M
Although he feels shy and out of place on the playing field, Kenny agrees to try soccer.
Rockwell, Anne. Morgan Plays Soccer J PIC ROC
Morgan Brownbear has trouble playing soccer until his coach, Mr. Monkey, finds the perfect position for him.
Stevens, Phillippa J. Bonk! Goes the Ball J EASY STE
A ball is hit, kicked, chased, passed, and sent through a goal during a soccer game.
Wheeler, Lisa. Dino-Soccer J PIC WHE
Plant-eating dinosaurs face meat-eating dinosaurs in a soccer match.