McG, Shane. 2007. TENNIS, ANYONE? Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books. ISBN 0822569019 [Suggested Grade Levels K-3]
REVIEW
For Tom Foley’s seventh birthday, he receives lots of great presents. All cool presents that move and make sounds, except one. “It doesn’t DO anything. Dad said it was a racket. You play tennis with it. He said it’s a lot of fun. I wasn’t convinced.” Tom has a sister who doesn’t play tennis, a mom who doesn’t play tennis, a best friend who doesn’t play tennis, and two pets who don’t play tennis. Each person or animal likes to do other things, but tennis is not among the list of hobbies. If Dad is right that tennis is fun, then somebody must like it, but “who plays tennis?”
From the front cover all the way to the back are bright, bold illustrations that play perfectly with the text. Text that reads like the thoughts of a seven-year-old, using all capital letters to emphasize a point and using smaller fonts when the boy is talking to himself. In addition to the harmony of words and pictures, tennis balls and rackets are found throughout the book, as art on the living room walls or on a runner’s t-shirt, to intrigue readers even more.
CONNECTIONS
On the last page of the book, Tom mentions that a tennis racket can also be used as an electric guitar. Brainstorm with children other creative uses for a tennis racket and have them act out their various ideas.
RELATED BOOKS
Other books about children playing sports:
Isadora, Rachel. NICK PLAYS BASEBALL. ISBN 0399232311
London, Jonathon. FROGGY PLAYS SOCCER. ISBN 0140568093
Martin, Bill. SWISH! ISBN 0805065784
By Mary D. Buckalo
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