“Let Them Play” by Margot Theis Raven and Chris Ellison is an amazing book, it tells the true story of the 1955 State Champion Little League team from South Carolina. The story is heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once as the authors tell the readers about the realities and injustice that this team of little boys faced. They were the first all black all star team who were disqualified from playing in the little league world series because they hadn’t played a single game to become state champs, because all the other teams forfitted. I dare you not to cry, I was a sobbing mess by the end. The book itself is too complex for really little guys, my son had no interest in the text, though he loved the pictures. All kids old enough though should take a look, and be prepared to answer some tough questions about why people were so mean. Wonderful wonderful, important book!
Take Me Out To The Ball Game !
Bat and Ball
This was another request from my son, his favorite book right now is “No, David!” by David Shannon , in the book David gets in trouble for playing baseball in the house. Of course my son thinks the book is hilarious ( which it is) and wanted to make something at art time from it. I added in the lacing which is great fine motor and hand eye coordination practice.
______________________________
Gather your materials. You will need a paper plate, a hole punch, some ribbon, tape, some cardboard, markers and scissors. Start by cutting out the middle of small paper plate, and punching 6 holes on each side of it. Older children can do this with little or no help.Next wrap a small amount of tape around the end of the ribbon to make it stiff and easier to thread through the holes.Next thread the ribbon through the holes, I secured the ribbon with tape so it wouldn’t slip through. Tape down the other end when you are done as well and put it aside for now. While your child is threading the ribbon, or after if they needed help ( my little guy needed some) draw a bat on the cardboard with a marker. Have your child color it to their hearts content. Cut out. Tape the baseball to the bat.
Book
I was going to suggest “No, David!” since it is the inspiration for the activity but when I came across the book below I knew I needed to devote a whole book section to it.
[…] Let’s Them Play by Margo Theis Raven […]