A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 93

Picture Book: Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Author: Jonah Winter

Illustrator: Raul Colon

Summary: Baseball hero, Roberto Clemente, was a Puerto Rican boy who made it to the Major Leagues despite the poverty of his childhood and the racism he encountered in professional baseball. Known for his fast feet, skilled moves, and 3000 hits, he was nicknamed “The Great One.” Along with his baseball success, he was notorious for his charitable work, especially work which benefited his home island. Sadly, in 1972 Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash at the height of his baseball career while on a humanitarian flight to Central America to help victims of an earthquake. The Great One was the first Latino to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hanna’s Comments: Modern children need to hear about sports heroes like Roberto Clemente, who worked tirelessly and gave much because of his love for baseball and fellow human beings. His legacy remains and is a great tool for inspiring future generations to be generous with their time, money, and talents. Be sure to read the Author’s Note in the back.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Atheneum, 2005

Age & Grade Appropriateness: 5 and up, K and up

# of Pages: 40

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: Tablet

PBT Category: Biography

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, acceptance, America, awe, body of Christ, call/calling/vocation, caring/tending, Central America, commitment, confidence, death/loss/grief, difficulties, diversity, dreams/aspiration, equality/inequality, generosity/giving/offering/stewardship, gifts/giftedness/talents, growing up/growth, heroes, home, injustice, integration, journeys/pilgrimages/migration/quests, judgment/judges/judging, justice, obstacles, outreach, outsiders, passion, perseverance, play, poverty, prejudice, race relations/racism, sacrifice, sports/sports stars, steadfastness, time/timing/over time, tragedy 

Scripture Connections: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17); the strong must bear the failings of the weak… building up our neighbors (Romans 15:1-2)

Idea(s) for Application: This book could be part of a series of lessons on heroes of the modern era and their connections with your religious heroes.