Hello Baseball

A Celebration of Family Fun

Thank you Destiny Phillips for this adventurous story that celebrates the joy that comes from creating fun memories with the ones we love.

Hello Baseball is a story about a grandfather affectionately called, Papa Hayes, who spends the day playing baseball with his eight grandsons. At the onset we see some of the boys playing video games, some watching cartoons and others running around the house. Papa Hayes lovingly calls the boys away from their separate activities to do something new together. None of the boys had any experience holding a bat or pitching a ball but by the end of the story he teaches them all how to play the game of baseball.

Phillips wittingly captures the essence of what it means to have fun. Although the boys’ idea of fun seems to be worlds away from Papa Hayes’ idea of entertainment, Phillips is able to harmonize their ideas by using the one thing they share in common: the love of family. Truly having fun means sharing a new or familiar and enjoyable experience with the ones you love.

What stands out to me is the scene at the baseball field when the boys are just learning how to use a bat. One of the boys says he knows he can do all things through Christ. Papa Hayes reinforces this truth by telling all the boys that they can do all things through faith in Jesus Christ.

Hello Baseball is perfect for read-aloud time with young readers. It is an excellent independent reading choice for children ages 6-8. Parents and teachers alike will appreciate the positive messages about family, teamwork and doing fun screen-free activities.

This book has mirrors that allow children of color to see themselves in a positive light. This book also has sliding doors allowing children of all races to learn about the joy of family, the benefits of teamwork and positive role models of African descent. This book is a great gift for children ages 4-8.