Skip to Main Content

Ballpark

The Story of America's Baseball Fields

Illustrated by Lynn Curlee

About The Book

A vibrant visual history of America’s most famous ballparks from award-winning author-illustrator Lynn Curlee—now with a new look!

If you love baseball, chances are you love one particular ballpark. Boston fans wax poetic about Fenway Park, Cubs fans are adamant that Wrigley Field is the classic ballfield. Busch Stadium is a hit with folks from Missouri, and Yankee fans are passionate about the House That Ruth Built. Besides passionate fans, there’s one other thing all ballparks—from the Union Grounds in Brooklyn built in 1862 to the Baltimore Orioles’ Camden Yards built in 1992—share: having its own vibrant and unique history.

This baseball book like no other explores both the histories and the cultural significance of America’s most famous ballparks. Grand in scope and illustrations and filled with fascinating anecdotes about these “green cathedrals,” the picture book also explores the changing social climate that accompanied baseball’s rise from a minor sport to the national pastime.

About The Author

Photo Credit:

Lynn Curlee was educated as an art historian and worked as a fine artist for many years before he began to make children’s books. Three of his books, Capital, Liberty, and Rushmore, were chosen by the Barbara Bush Literacy Campaign as their Book of the Year in three consecutive years. Mr. Curlee has won numerous awards for his work, including but not limited to a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book (Brooklyn Bridge), Orbis Pictus Award (Rushmore), ALA Notable Books for Children (Liberty), and Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year (Parthenon). His other books include Ballpark, Trains, Mythological Creatures, and Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. He lives in Norwich, Connecticut, with his partner and two Great Danes. Find out more on Instagram @LynnCurlee.

About The Illustrator

Photo Credit:

Lynn Curlee was educated as an art historian and worked as a fine artist for many years before he began to make children’s books. Three of his books, Capital, Liberty, and Rushmore, were chosen by the Barbara Bush Literacy Campaign as their Book of the Year in three consecutive years. Mr. Curlee has won numerous awards for his work, including but not limited to a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book (Brooklyn Bridge), Orbis Pictus Award (Rushmore), ALA Notable Books for Children (Liberty), and Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year (Parthenon). His other books include Ballpark, Trains, Mythological Creatures, and Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. He lives in Norwich, Connecticut, with his partner and two Great Danes. Find out more on Instagram @LynnCurlee.

Product Details

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Intermediate Title
  • Parents' Choice Award Silver Medal

Resources and Downloads

Common Core Suggestion

High Resolution Images