Tavares's account of Ruth's childhood is both informative and touching.
Before he was the Sultan of Swat, he was just George—a seven-year-old boy discovering baseball at Baltimore’s Saint Mary’s Industrial School. Matt Tavares’s stunning picture book reveals the humanity behind the legend, celebrating second chances and the mentors who shape us.
$17.99
Before the Sultan of Swat. Before the home run king. Before the legend. There was just a boy named George, standing at the gates of Saint Mary’s Industrial School for Boys in Baltimore, about to discover the game that would change his life.
Matt Tavares’s stunning picture book biography offers a tender, rarely seen glimpse into Babe Ruth’s formative years at the institution he would later call “the House that built Ruth.” When seven-year-old George Herman Ruth arrives at Saint Mary’s, he’s a kid who’s gotten into more than his share of scrapes. But under the patient guidance of Brother Matthias, he discovers something transformative: baseball.
What makes this book special is how Tavares captures the humanity behind the icon. Through vivid, atmospheric illustrations and clear-eyed storytelling, we see George evolve from troubled boy to dedicated player, shaped by discipline, mentorship, and the pure joy of the game. The bond between George and Brother Matthias pulses at the heart of this story—a reminder that we all need someone who believes in us.
This isn’t just a baseball story. It’s about second chances, the power of mentorship, and remembering where you came from. Perfect for young readers discovering the Babe for the first time, or anyone who loves stories about how greatness is built one day, one choice, one swing at a time.
A beautiful addition to any collection celebrating American history, sports heroes, or simply the transformative power of finding your place in the world.
Tavares's account of Ruth's childhood is both informative and touching.
Tavares's characteristically evocative paintings capture both the grit of early-twentieth-century Baltimore and the glow of a young man finding his calling.
An appealing picture-book biography that will be a hit with baseball fans.
Tavares scores another home run with this picture-book biography.
Tavares humanizes the legend, creating a moving portrait of a troubled boy who found salvation in baseball.
| Weight | 1.40 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10.30 × 0.42 × 12.12 in |
| Fiction Type | |
| Book Author | |
| Subject | 20th Century, Baseball & Softball, Biography & Autobiography, History, Juvenile Nonfiction, Sports & Recreation, United States |
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