Authors Jack Siemiatycki and Avi Slodovnick follow the success of their previous book, The Hockey Card, with a new title in the same tradition of tall tales and sport legends. The Baseball Card begins when a young boy and his father attend a baseball game at Yankee Stadium. The father recounts how he once owned a special baseball card of his favourite player, Babe Ruth, that landed him in a schoolyard showdown the likes of which had never been seen. Challenged by the school bully to a winner-take-all game of Closest to the Wall (a tossing game to win cards), poor Dad found himself in dire straits and down to only two cards, one of them the coveted Babe Ruth. Which card should he play? To his astonishment, Dad discovered that a little faith in his hero (and a little magic) helped him win the day. Later, when the boy questions the truth of his father’s story, he discovers that the magic does indeed exist.

The Baseball Card has the key elements of a tall tale told with enough sincerity to make readers want to believe the story is true. The tone of the text effectively draws readers into the nostalgic world of schoolyards and childhood possessions, and the mounting tension of Dad’s memorable game is captured in tight, dramatic sentences.

Laura Watson’s slightly faded illustrations also evoke the atmosphere of days gone by, while skillfully portraying the intense emotions of the players and spectators in slightly exaggerated expressions and gestures that bring readers right to the excitement of the plot. In one particularly effective spread, she presents multiple freeze-frame images of the action (also echoing the theme of baseball cards) that capture the changing fortunes of our hero.

The Baseball Card would be equally satisfying as either a storytime choice or an independent read, as it touches on the themes of faith and courage entwined with the pure enjoyment of an exciting sports event. This title is a home run for both authors and illustrator.