Batter Up! Picture Books for the World Series That Kids Will Love

MLB journalist Nathalie Alonso and Caldecott Honor Winner Rudy Gutierrez joined forces to create this electrifying picture book. Call Me Roberto: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos follows two-time World Series champion Roberto Clemente as he grows from a stick-swinging kid in Puerto Rico to a baseball legend demanding to be heard—on and off the field. Swirls of vibrant paint and dynamic textures make every page feel like it’s in motion, just like Roberto in a game. With a mix of English and Spanish, the story celebrates culture, courage, and calling out injustice. From knocking homers to standing tall against prejudice, Clemente’s story inspires kids to dream big and speak up. This book is a grand slam for art, emotion, and action.

Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series introduces young readers to a powerful slice of baseball history. Two Indigenous American players, Charles Bender (of the Ojibwe people) and John Meyers (Cahuilla), faced off in the World Series that year, becoming the first Native American players to do so. Starr’s illustrations pop with authentic Ojibwe and Cahuilla motifs, dramatic baseball‑card-style portraits, and dynamic game‑day scenes. Sorell’s narrative honors the players’ lives, strengths, and passion. She vividly confronts the racist jeers and slurs they endured on and off the field and shows how both men held their ground, broke barrier after barrier, and won nine championships between them. It’s an epic story of heritage, friendship, and justice served alongside fastballs.

Part of the Who HQ series of books, this one is for slightly older baseball enthusiasts. It outlines the history of the competition, from its initiation in 1903 through memorable moments like the 1910 scandal with Shoeless Joe Jackson, presidents throwing pitches, and the Red Sox breaking their World Series curse. This book engages kids in World Series lore via short, informative chapters. If you and your child love sports facts and history, we think you’ll love reading What is the World Series?

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story is an engaging picture book that recounts the real-life story of Effa Manley, a woman whose love for baseball took her from kid‑fan to savvy co‑owner of the Negro League’s Newark Eagles. Don Tate’s vivid acrylic illustrations burst with charm, showing Effa organizing boycotts, managing her team with compassion, and championing her players’ rights off the field. Effa not only negotiated fair player contracts and promoted civil rights, but ultimately became the first—and only—woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. This book is a lively tribute to courage, justice, and baseball spirit.

This book of accurately rendered historical fiction spins a tale of a young Japanese American boy imprisoned in a U.S. internment camp during World War II. It’s a powerful, emotionally resonant story about racism, resilience, and the redemptive power of sports. Life behind barbed wire is relentlessly harsh and humiliating—until the families build a baseball field. On that field, the boy, Shorty, finds strength, purpose, and a way to stand tall, even when faced with cruelty and doubt. This award-winning book, recipient of the Lee & Low Books New Voices Award, brings an overlooked piece of American history to life in a way kids can understand. With clear, direct storytelling, Baseball Saved Us shows how a simple game became a powerful act of resistance and pride.

The William Hoy Story shares the moving story of one of baseball’s lesser-known stars from the late 1800s. Deaf from a young age, William Hoy was rejected from his high school baseball team but kept practicing on his own. He eventually was recruited to play in the Major Leagues, where he broke records, won over the hearts of stadiums full of fans, and fought against discrimination. This powerful story is a great way to discuss following your dreams and the importance of treating people with kindness.

This charming picture book explores the differences between American and Japanese baseball. Follow a little boy as he eats stadium hot dogs and peanuts with his American “pop pop,” then cheers on his favorite Japanese team while snacking on soba noodles and edamame with his “ji ji” at the local baseball dome. Each page mirrors the other, letting readers see the cultural differences between the two countries and their shared passion for baseball.

Casey at the Bat is a classic piece of baseball literature, beloved for over 100 years. It’s a dramatic poem that captures the heart-pounding highs and crushing lows of America’s homegrown sport. With its playful rhythm, vivid language, and timeless twist, it’s ideal for reading aloud. This iconic poem has been brought to life by many talented illustrators, giving families plenty of options to choose from. In particular, look for versions illustrated by Christopher Bing, C.F. Payne, and Patricia Polacco.

Dirt on Their Skirts: The Story of the Young Women Who Won the World Championship is set during the 1946 championship game of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL)—the league that inspired the hit movie, A League of Their Own. The AAGPBL was created during World War II, when many male players were away at war. The book tells the thrilling story of this groundbreaking moment in sports history through the eyes of a young fan. The authors capture the grit, glory, and game-day tension of the legendary match between the Racine Belles and the Rockford Peaches. With the modern-day launch of the Women’s Professional Baseball League, this book will inspire a new generation to chase big dreams, dirt and all.

In this nearly wordless baseball picture book, three-time Caldecott Medalist David Wiesner transforms a routine outfield catch into an epic, mind-bending adventure. The story begins with a young boy stepping up to make the game-saving catch, only for doubt, distraction, and daydreams to erupt in a whirlwind of visual storytelling. Without a single written sentence, Wiesner lets his art do the talking: the boy battles towering trees, monstrous obstacles, and even shrinking down to bug size, all while chasing that one elusive ball. With layered, cinematic illustrations and pulse-raising panel layouts, the book reflects the pressure kids feel in sports—and the triumph of perseverance.

Part of the inspiring Mini Movers and Shakers series, Jackie Robinson introduces young readers to one of the most important figures in American sports and civil rights. With clear, kid-friendly language and bold, colorful artwork, this book shows how Jackie used grit and grace to break baseball’s color barrier—and change the world. Children learn how Jackie overcame racism, stayed true to his values, and became Major League Baseball’s first black player, leading the Brooklyn Dodgers all the way to the World Series. The story emphasizes perseverance, courage, and integrity. It’s a home run of an introduction to this legendary trailblazer, who proved that strength comes from both skill and character.