Becoming Babe Ruth: Candlewick Biographies - Paperback

by Matt Tavares (Author), Matt Tavares (Illustrator)

"This exceptionally engaging chronicle recounts Ruth's amazing rags-to-riches story. . . . Equally important, the art captures Ruth's irrepressible personality and joy in playing baseball." -- Booklist (starred review)

Before he becomes known as the Babe, George Herman Ruth is just a boy who lives in Baltimore and has a knack for getting into trouble. But when he turns seven, his father takes him to Saint Mary's Industrial School for Boys, and his life is changed. Here, under the watchful eye of Brother Matthias, George evolves as an athlete and a man. With vivid illustrations and clear affection for his subject, Matt Tavares sheds light on an icon who learned early that life is what you make of it -- and sends home a message about honoring the place you come from. Back matter includes an author's note, Babe Ruth's career statistics, and a bibliography.

Author Biography

Matt Tavares is the author-illustrator of Zachary's Ball, Oliver's Game, Mudball, Henry Aaron's Dream, and There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived. He is also the illustrator of The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup and Lady Liberty: A Biography by Doreen Rappaport, among other picture books. Matt Tavares lives in Ogunquit, Maine.