THAT SWEET DIAMOND - Compilation by Paul Janeczko

THAT SWEET DIAMOND
By: Paul Janeczko

Bibliography: Janeczko, Paul B. Ill. Katchen, Carole. 1998. THAT SWEET DIAMOND. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 068980735X

This is a collection of nineteen topical poems on the sport of baseball. The complete collection is written by Paul Janeczko. He has written poems about a variety of positions on the field as well as umpires and coaches, vendors and fans. The collection takes you into the game of baseball.

BEFORE THE GAME, FOUL BALL, THINGS TO DO DURING A RAIN DELAY, SECTION 7, ROW 1, SEAT 2, NUNS and AFTER THE GAME connect the fans to the excitement of the game as well as the enthusiasm of the die-hard fan.

Particularly touching was the poem SECTION 7, ROW 1, SEAT 3 which identifies an old woman who is such a fan she measures her life through the years of her favorite baseball team; the year of her marriage, the year her son was born, the year her husband died.

A couple of the poems stand out as specifically important to those young boys who dream of making the major leagues. The poem NICKNAMES (what young man does not want to have that “special” nickname?) and the poem HOW TO SPIT – practice makes perfect – check the wind, develop your style, concentrate, and don’t dribble.

The art work is Carole Katchen’s first for a children’s book. The poems and illustrations make a double page spread for each poem. The illustrations are rendered in pastels with most facial expressions and details limited for the reader to imagine it could be him! The most notable contrast to this observation is the player illustrated for HOW TO SPIT.

REVIEWS:

School Library Journal: The sights, sounds, and emotions of a baseball game leap from Janeczko's poetry and Katchen's colorful pastel illustrations. Just about everything associated with the great American pastime is scrutinized, from the refreshments to pointers on how to spit, from fans to field positions and foul balls. The rhythm of the poetry parallels the rhythm of the players' movements.

Kirkus Review: An extremely appealing suite of poems that illuminate the plays and dramatis personae from before the game to after the last out.

CONNECTIONS:

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME by Jack Norworth and Jim Burke – This book has the complete lyrics of the classic baseball song. Sing with the kids the part of the song that they know (probably very little) and then read the book. Ask your music teacher to sing the song to the students and help them to learn it or find it on a CD.

Have students find stats on their favorite ballplayer.

Write a poem about the position they play on the field, or as a fan, or maybe their favorite snack.