Henry Aaron's Dream - Softcover

Well-written text and brilliantly composed art highlight the poignancy and triumph in Aaron's story. This rousing tribute should resonate with a wide audience.
--School Library Journal (starred review)

A multi-layered treat. On one level it is an account of one of the most amazing hitters to ever play baseball, but it is also a valiant story of hope, resilience, perseverance, and love. The author paints a rich history lesson cloaked in sports.
--Library Media Connection (starred review)

Tavares' vibrant artwork brings viewers into dingy dugouts, on cramped buses, and into the dust of the diamond as Aaron works his way into history.
--Booklist

Lyrical yet hard-hitting narrative... Close-up portraits of Aaron on and off the field dominate Tavares's watercolor, ink, and pencil art.
--Publishers Weekly (web exclusive)

The author illustrates his powerful words with extraordinary, heroic images: Muscular watercolor, ink and pencil pictures put readers right in the scene.
--Kirkus Reviews

Tavares' vibrant artwork brings viewers into dingy dugouts, on cramped busses, and into the dust of the diamond as Aaron works his way into history. . . . The home-run record may have been stolen, but books like this ensure that Aaron's legacy remains intact.
--Booklist

Memorable images of a memorable man.
--Chicago Tribune

Zachary's Ball is a children's classic. Now Henry Aaron's Dream is a masterpiece of a children's book.
--Peter Gammons, Hall of Fame baseball reporter

A compelling biography of Aaron's early years, from sandlot days, to the Negro Leagues, to his debut with the Milwaukee Braves; a nicely done homage to an all-time great.
--Pittsburghlive.com (Tribune-Review)

Tavares' soft, warm illustrations capture the heart and silent determination of Aaron's story in a way that's accessible to readers of all ages.
--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Although Hank Aaron is a popular subject for young readers, this book highlights his moving story with outstanding illustrations and includes an author's note, a page of stats and a bibliography.
--Chicago Sun Times

Tavares's illustrations - in watercolour, ink and pencil - capture the warmth and support of the black community, and the determination of figures like Robinson and Aaron to transcend racial stereotypes. The result is a picture book not only well suited to history classes, but an inspiration to children of all backgrounds to do the best they can and to follow their dreams.
--Montreal Gazette.com

Tavares' color illustrations are as clear, exciting, and moving as his prose.
--San Francisco Chronicle

Matt Tavares hits one out of the park with this powerful tale of a kid from the segregated South who would become baseball's home-run king.

Before he was Hammerin' Hank, Henry Aaron was a young boy growing up in Mobile, Alabama, with what seemed like a foolhardy dream: to be a big-league baseball player. He didn't have a bat. He didn't have a ball. And there wasn't a single black ball player in the major leagues. But none of this could stop Henry Aaron. In a captivating biography of Henry Aaron's young life — from his sandlot days through his time in the Negro Leagues to the day he played his first spring training game for the Braves — Matt Tavares offers an inspiring homage to one of baseball's all-time greats.
Back matter includes an author’s note, Henry Aaron’s career statistics, and a bibliography.