Clorinda Plays Baseball!

February 6, 2012
In her third comedic outing, Clorinda the cow dreams of joining her favorite baseball team—the Red Hats of Bosstown. But practice comes first. Clorinda and her “piggest” fan, Hop, construct a makeshift baseball field and grandstand, but when a shy boy named Deke steps up to the mound, Clorinda realizes that he’s the real star player. Deke gets signed by the Red Hats (Clorinda thinks sadly, “But... that was my dream”), but his nerves won’t allow him to play without his coach, Clorinda, who helps the team to a World Series win when a freak dust storm sets in. As in the previous Clorinda books, Kinerk’s couplets are buoyant (“One day he knocked/ such a powerful fly,/ it bounced off a copter/ just then whumping by”), and his plotting is over-the-top; Kellogg’s characteristically expressive, gold-infused illustrations have no trouble keeping pace. Ages 4–8.

February 1, 2012
Clorinda's dreams always push the envelope of ordinary, cud-chewing existence. Having been a ballerina and a pilot in previous outings, Clorinda, a very determined and talented cow, sets her sights on playing big-league baseball. Her friends build a grandstand and create a field, and several of them join the game. Along comes Deke, a boy with tremendous talent, and Clorinda becomes his mentor, putting her own dreams on hold. When he gets to the big leagues with the "Bosstown Red Hats," he cannot do without her, so she joins the team as his coach. Deke becomes the star player, leading the Red Hats to the World Series. A freak storm blows in, and Deke is blinded by sand. Guess who saves the day with a tremendous home run? Kinerk's easy, breezy verse, with some wonderfully inventive rhymes, moves the story along at a breathless pace, with one madcap event after another. See a home run that knocks a storm out of the park, and be amazed at a cow that pilots a helicopter. It's over-the-top baseball fantasy, but there's also friendship and loving selflessness. Kellogg's signature cartoon watercolors and text placement vary pleasingly in layout. As always, they not only match the plot but add layers of details and special effects. Hilarious and joyful; hooray, Clorinda. (Picture book. 3-9)

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March 1, 2012

PreS-Gr 2-Through a rhyming text, children take a joyous romp on and off the baseball diamond, learning to be better friends along the way. Clorinda the cow dreams of playing for the Bosstown Red Hats and works with several animals and human neighbors to find their places on the field or in the stands. First, she helps her friend Hop, a pig, find his true calling, and then teaches Deke, a neighbor boy, to play the game and launches him into the big leagues. Kellogg uses his signature style to capture the action and the personalities. Vibrant watercolor illustrations dance across the barnyard and the stadium, capturing the characters' delightful expressions and moods on every page. Predominant themes include sports, friendship, coaching, self-confidence, and helping others achieve their dreams, even if it means subverting one's own. This book is certain to be loved by both listeners and readers alike.-Janene Corbin, Rosebank Elementary School, Nashville, TN

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.