Telling Jackie Robinson’s Story through Children’s Literature

Jackie laughed. “Baseball isn’t all about home runs,” he said. “It’s a team sport. You have to trust the other players as much as you trust yourself.”1

 

A Big Day For Baseball (2019), written by Mary Pope Osborne and illustrated by Sal Murdocca. (Courtesy of Penguin Random House)

 

When Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in April of 1947 many of his new teammates were not happy he was on their team. Robinson would have to work hard to change their attitudes, to show them he belonged. That story of triumph over adversity is one of the many themes to be found in writings about Robinson and his life. Historians, journalists, writers, and fans have studied Robinson’s whole life. In addition, there are many books written for children and young adults using Jackie’s life story as the central focus and as inspiration to teach children important life lessons. A thorough examination of children’s literature reveals key themes and approaches, as well as highlights important strengths Jackie displayed in order to accomplish all that he did in his life. The questions to be explored and answered by examining the literature are: how is Jackie Robinson’s story presented to children of different ages? What lessons are taught? Why is he a hero to so many?

The children’s literature on Robinson is extensive, dating back to the 1970s, with new books coming out all the time. There are books for every age, from graphic novels to picture books, both fiction and non-fiction. Included among the published works are a series of books by Robinson’s daughter Sharon Robinson. Sharon has written stories about specific events in her father’s life and has also used his accomplishments as inspiration for other children’s stories. Because of her connection to Jackie, her stories deserve their own examination and will be dealt with in another chapter.

Books about Jackie Robinson teach children about topics ranging from segregation to civil rights to family life, bullying, the military, and baseball. Common themes that emerge discuss courage, responsibility, bravery, hope, inspiration, and other positive messages which make these books important. Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” These books continue to extend Jackie’s impact to future generations.

One of the first children’s books published about Robinson came out in 1971, just a year before Robert Peterson’s groundbreaking work about Negro League baseball, Only the Ball was White. Kenneth Rudeen wrote Jackie Robinson (1971) to tell young children about the challenges and struggles Robinson faced as the first Black ballplayer to enter what was then known as the major leagues. He focuses on the strength and courage it took for Robinson to be able to play at the level he did, especially since he was not welcomed. Rudeen incorrectly identifies Robinson as the first Black player in the majors, since his book was written before researchers had uncovered the stories of Moses Fleetwood Walker and his brother who played in the nineteenth century.

A second early children’s book, Thank You Jackie Robinson by Barbara Cohen, was published in 1974, just two years after his death. Cohen’s book is a fictional story about the friendship between a young boy, Sam, and a cook named Davy. That friendship is tested when Davy gets sick, and Sam hopes that getting the great Jackie Robinson’s autograph will help Davy get well. The story focuses on the friendship that blossoms between Sam, a young Jewish boy, and Davy, a Black cook, who comes to serve as a role model for Sam who lost his own father. They are drawn together by their love of the Dodgers and especially their new ball player Jackie Robinson. The book tells a story of friendship, courage, and inspiration in the face of loneliness and societal barriers. Robinson is their hero because he stood strong in the face of all the challenges thrown at him because of his skin color. Their friendship grows despite the differences in race and religion just as Robinson perseveres and triumphs despite his race.

Another book published in the 1970s, The Value of Courage, by Spencer Johnson brings out some of the same themes. The key difference is that Johnson provides a biography of Robinson’s life without any fictional characters. Johnson recounts Robinson’s baseball career to show the importance of bravery and hard work. Robinson had to work hard to overcome prejudice and break down barriers placed in his way because of his race. He also displayed tremendous courage when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and broke the color barrier. He stood alone in facing fans, players, and managers who taunted him and wanted to hurt him. Johnson’s biography is designed to help elementary and middle school children see what can be accomplished when you have a dream.

During the 1980s a few books began to introduce young readers to the larger story of Black baseball. Margaret Davidson’s biography tells young people that White and Black athletes have not always played baseball together. In The Story of Jackie Robinson: The Bravest Man in Baseball, Davidson tells young readers what it took to be able to play baseball before 1947 as a Black man in America. She focuses on the idea that Robinson had to break the rules of society in order to play baseball like any White ballplayer. Author Jim O’Connor broadens the knowledge of young readers by placing Jackie Robinson’s career in the larger context of Black baseball in Jackie Robinson, The Story of All Black Baseball. O’Connor has six chapters in his book and only two are devoted to Robinson. O’Connor covers the problems Robinson faced but also his accomplishments from breaking the color barrier to being named Rookie of the Year and helping the Dodgers win the World Series. Young readers also learn about the existence of all-Black baseball teams and some of the stars who never got the chance to play in the major leagues because of their skin color. O’Connor tells the story with an appropriate level of language for second and third graders, and also includes a number of black and white photos from the time period to help students get a full understanding of who these players were.

Many of these early themes and approaches continued in the 1990s when an increasing number of books were published as more attention was brought to the Negro Leagues after the Ken Burns Baseball television documentary series was released. The years 1992 and 1997 were also the 45th and 50th anniversary of Robinson’s debut with the Dodgers, bringing new attention to Robinson’s legacy and importance. Two new books kicked off the decade with their publication in 1990. Carol Greene and Steve Dobson published Jackie Robinson: Baseball’s First Black Major Leaguer and Barry Denenberg came out with Stealing Home: The Story of Jackie Robinson. Greene and Dobson focus on how Robinson helped to shape American history when he was signed by Branch Rickey. The book provides a chronology of life events from his childhood until his death in 1972. The story does not provide any analysis, just a narrative of accomplishments with lots of photographs. O’Connor’s earlier work gives young readers a more in-depth look at Black baseball. Denenberg provides a biography for slightly older children, focusing on not just Robinson’s courage but also his role as a pioneer.

Edward Ferrell picks up on the theme of inspiration in Young Jackie Robinson: Baseball Hero. What Robinson was able to accomplish on the baseball field helped produce much larger changes in society. His achievements made Robinson not only a hero to look up to but also to aspire to emulate. His life provided a lesson in what others could do in the face of everyday challenges. Peter Golenbock continued the emphasis on change but broadened the focus beyond Robinson in Teammates. Golenbock provides a well-illustrated story of the power of friendship. When Golenbock’s Robinson walks out alone onto the baseball diamond, one can feel his sadness, but then Pee Wee Reese steps up and makes Robinson feel welcome. From a perspective other than Robinson’s, Reese takes a stand when he extends the hand of friendship, teaching children the difference one person can make.

Manfred Weldhorn brings the focus back to Robinson’s abilities on the field in Jackie Robinson (1993). Weldhorn tells middle school readers a more in-depth story about Robinson’s on-field play. Weldhorn provides the stories to help children see what is possible when you are not afraid to go after your dreams. Robinson overcame all the obstacles in his way by using his athletic abilities to prove he belonged. David Adler brings this story down to the youngest readers in A Picture Book of Jackie Robinson. In a short but well-illustrated biography Adler shows children how one person can help change the world. Adler also provides a timeline of key dates and a bit of information about other important figures in the desegregation of baseball at the conclusion of the book.

Following the 50th anniversary celebrations a new spate of books was published. Among them were three children’s books published in 1998-99 that added to the different approaches used to tell Robinson’s story. Herb Dunn wrote Jackie Robinson: Young Sports Trailblazer to tell middle school readers the story of this great ballplayer. Dunn’s book is part of a larger series on the childhood of famous Americans such as Abigail Adams, Thurgood Marshall, and George Washington. The book is filled with colorful illustrations by Meryl Henderson, who is actually the author as well, writing under the pseudonym of Dunn. Robinson is presented as a trailblazer even before he entered the majors. She tells of how he went to integrated schools, served in the military, and played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues. Derek Dingle wrote First in the Field: Baseball Hero Jackie Robinson for early readers to learn about someone who paved the way for those that followed. Unlike many other Robinson biographies, Dingle focuses primarily on Robinson’s early years and less on his civil rights career after baseball. The final book published in 1999 was Dan Gutman’s Jackie and Me. This is a fictional story about a youngster named Joe Stoshack who can travel in time. Joe wants to interview his hero Jackie Robinson and so he uses his baseball card to take him back to 1947. Here Joe not only meets Robinson but also finds himself initially unable to return to his own time. It is Robinson who helps him find his way.

As the number of children’s books about Jackie Robinson increased a great deal starting in the 2000s, the question to ask is what else was there to tell? What new approaches or stories can these books provide? We find both new stories but also new approaches such as graphic novels and graphic flash format novels. Each author saw in Robinson’s life story lessons to be taught and learned. For example, Dodger Dreams (2010) by Brandon Terrell was written as a graphic flash format novel which is designed to help the story move more quickly for today’s young reader who is used to the beauty and speed of computer graphics. The format combines graphic novel style pages with more typical book pages to give readers the best of both. Terrell uses this format to talk about the importance of strength of character but also addresses bullying and standing up for what is right. Robinson did that every time he stepped on the diamond but also in his daily life. In the story Max Owens receives 1955 World Series tickets from his grandfather so he can see his idol play in person. Though the Dodgers lose the game Max gets to see Robinson steal home plate while also experiencing segregated seating in the stands. After the game Max gets to help another young fan who is being bullied and gets to meet Robinson in person. Robinson reminds Max the importance of doing what is right. To help young readers get more from the story, Terrell also includes a timeline and discussion questions.

A number of fictional stories have been published in the last 20 years that use Robinson’s career as the centerpiece to teach students a variety of important lessons, including Bette Bao Lord’s, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (2019). Middle school readers are introduced to Shirley Temple Wong who arrives in the United States from China. She speaks little English and has trouble fitting in until she discovers Jackie Robinson and baseball in 1947. Wong joins her classmates playing stickball and listens to the Dodgers on the radio. Robinson’s story provides hope to Wong and other immigrant children that America could become a home for them too. Lord uses the idea of baseball as America’s National Pastime to show how Robinson’s ball playing changed America for the better.

In Just Like Jackie (2018), Lindsay Stoddard provides a story about family, acceptance, bullying, and so much more. The story centers around Robinson Hart and her grandfather as a family of two. Her grandfather raised her on stories of baseball and life. Robbie finds herself having to fight to protect her family as her grandfather battles with memory loss. Like the real Robinson, Robbie struggles to gain acceptance for her non-traditional family and fights to overcome the obstacles of keeping them together. Written for middle schoolers, the book provides wonderful lessons about family, acceptance, illness, and bullying – all while using Jackie Robinson’s story as a backdrop to learn from.

Another type of fictional story can be found in A Big Day for Baseball (2019), written by Mary Pope Osborne. This book is part of the Magic Tree House series which uses both fiction and non-fiction stories to teach about history, science, mystery, and more. Osborne introduces young readers to Jack and Annie, two youngsters who want to be great ballplayers but have not learned to play much yet. Their librarian Morgan gives them magic baseball caps that transport the children back to 1947. Jack and Annie are surprised to find themselves as batboys and not players when they arrive. The first barrier the children face is realizing that girls cannot be batboys in 1947 so Annie tells everyone she is Andy. The children have arrived on Opening Day in 1947, a big day indeed for baseball as the Dodgers take on the Boston Braves with Robinson making his debut. Jack and Annie find themselves learning many lessons at Ebbets Field—lessons about hard work, trust, and even the rules, not just of the game, but of life. Since this book is a part of the Magic Tree House Series, educators and parents will find a wide range of additional materials available to help teach the book and the many lessons that can be learned from Robinson’s struggles and triumphs.

Moise Michel uses the technique of time travel in the book Kwame and his Great Adventure (2017). Kwame invents a watch that can take him back in time. Kwame goes back to meet his hero Jackie Robinson. Kwame wanted to play baseball but he did not make the team because others told him he was not good enough. Robinson teaches Kwame about following his dreams no matter what others might tell him.

Using Robinson’s minor-league stint with the Montreal Royals as the backdrop, Nancy Russell tells the story of young Matt Parker and his hero Jackie Robinson in So Long, Jackie Robinson (2007). Matt’s family moves to Montreal and he has to leave behind everything and everyone he knows. He ends up in a city where everyone is a hockey fan and they all speak French. Things begin to change for the better when Matt gets a job selling concessions at the Royals ballpark. He gets to see Jackie Robinson play every day. Montreal turns out to be exactly where he wanted to be in 1946. The unique contribution this book makes is simply the focus on Robinson’s minor-league career which is usually left out of most children’s books.

Another story not usually covered is Robinson’s military career. Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen tackles this part of Robinson’s life in The United States v. Jackie Robinson (2018). Everyone knows Robinson faced prejudice on the diamond but this story shows readers he faced those same issues every day while he served in the military during World War II. Though written for new readers, this book does not shy away from the topic of segregation but tackles it head on. Robinson faces all those who would stand against him with strength and grace.

Tania Grossinger provides another new approach to Robinson’s story by telling it through the eyes of a young girl. In Jackie and Me: A Very Special Friendship (2017), Tania’s family operate the famous Grossinger’s Hotel in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Tania feels that she does not really fit in with the guests or with her stepfamily. Then she meets one of the guests, Jackie Robinson, who plays ping pong with her. The game helps bring her out of her shell and starts to improve her self-confidence. After that game Tania and Robinson continue to write letters until his death in 1972. Through the eyes of Tania readers learn about Robinson the man and the struggles he faced, and how he learned to cope and stand strong. While Grossinger shines a light on a more personal story, Mary Beth Lorbiecki focuses her attention on the field in Jackie’s Bat (2006). Lorbiecki tells Robinson’s story through encounters with a White batboy who does not treat him the way his White teammates do. Written for early readers both books are a great way to introduce young children to differences that exist in the world and how to not only try to cope with them but to find ways to change how we deal with differences. Acceptance is a huge part of the message of both these books.

In 2010 author Myron Uhlberg captures the excitement of the 1947 season in Dad, Jackie, and Me. A young boy listens to the Brooklyn Dodgers every day on the radio, signing the highlights to his father who is deaf. The boy dreams of one day seeing Robinson play in person but does not believe that will happen. Then one day his father brings home tickets to a Dodgers-New York Giants game. Dad tells his son he wants to see Robinson play. The two storylines can be seen to overlap as Robinson and the father both struggle to fit in and find their place.

Continuing the story line of not fitting in and working to overcome barriers is Cathy Goldberg Fishman’s When Jackie and Hank Met (2012). Fishman bases her story around the first meeting between Hank Greenberg and Jackie Robinson in May 1947. The two ball players collide at first base and rather than give in to the urging of the fans to fight one another, they both go on to become players others could look up to. Each man had to overcome obstacles in order to achieve their dreams. For Robinson it was his skin color and for Greenberg it was his religion. Young readers can watch how these two men did not give in to hatred but instead worked to change people’s minds, to find their own place in the world. The book is beautifully illustrated and also includes a biography of each player with a timeline and additional resources for those wanting to learn more.

What’s Your Story, Jackie Robinson? (2015), by Emma Carlson Berne, introduces young readers to interviewing skills. The story is told as an interview between a cub reporter and Robinson. Each question gives Robinson a chance to tell the young readers about his career and the obstacles he had to overcome. Robinson says, “But I showed them that prejudice hurts sports teams. Teams are stronger when everyone plays together.”2 The message is clear, we need to find ways to play together and ultimately live together. Each question is interspersed with a written response and photographs of Robinson’s family and his playing days with the Kansas City Monarchs and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The interview approach teaches young students about how to ask questions to learn from others.

Among the many other non-fiction children’s books written about Robinson there are a few that are part of larger book series that have a specific approach or message. One example is Character Counts! Young Jackie Robinson (2014) by Edward Farrell. Farrell has written about Robinson’s story of struggle and triumph as part of a program that focuses on the Six Pillars of Character. Farrell chose to focus on the pillar of responsibility in telling Robinson’s story. We each have a responsibility to work to make the world a better place. Another book that fits this pattern of being part of a series is Brad Meltzer’s I am Jackie Robinson (2015). This book is the fifth in a series focusing on how ordinary people can change the world. Robinson’s bravery is highlighted to show kids how to dare to dream big and then go for those dreams no matter what.

Jackie Robinson’s life is a story of hard work, perseverance, and courage. He challenged prejudice and segregation every day and pushed boundaries to make America a place where all could find a home. Writers and illustrators have found his achievements on and off the field to be a great way to introduce young readers to difficult topics, and also as a way to inspire hope and a sense of responsibility in each of us. Whether their books are biographies or fictional stories, each author mentioned, and many others in the bibliography that follows, found a hero in Robinson and have shared his life as lessons for all of us to learn, no matter our age.

LESLIE HEAPHY is an associate professor of history at Kent State University at Stark. Leslie has written numerous articles, book chapters and books on the Negro Leagues and women’s baseball topics as well as the New York Mets. Leslie currently serves as the vice president for SABR and is on the board of directors for the International Women’s Baseball Center.

 

List of Books

Abraham, Philip. Jackie Robinson (Danbury, Connecticut: Children’s Press, 2003) (grades k-3)

Adler, David A. A Picture Book of Jackie Robinson (New York City: Holiday House, 1994) (grades pre-k-k)

Amoroso, Cynthia. Jackie Robinson (Mankato, Minnesota: The Child’s World Inc., 2014) (grades k-2)

Bardham-Quallen, Sudipta. The United States v. Jackie Robinson (New York City: Balzer and Bray, 2018) (grades k-3)

Berne, Emma Carlson. What’s Your Story, Jackie Robinson? (Mankato, Minnesota: Lerner Publications, 2015 (grades k-3)

Berrios III, Frank John. My Little Golden Book about Jackie Robinson. (Racine, Wisconsin: Golden Books, 2018) (grades pre-k-1)

Burleigh, Robert. Stealing Home: Jackie Robinson against all Odds (New York City: Simon and Schuster, 2007) (grades k-2).

Christopher, Matt. Jackie Robinson: Legends in Sports (New York City: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006) (grades 3-5)

Cohen, Barbara. Thank You, Jackie Robinson (New York City: HarperCollins, 1997) (gr. 3-7)

Davidson, Margaret. The Story of Jackie Robinson, the Bravest Man in the World (New York City: Yearling Books, 1971) (grades 3-7)

De Marco, Tony. Jackie Robinson, Journey to Freedom (Mankato, Minnesota: The Child’s World, Inc., 2014) (grades 3-5)

Denenberg, Barry. Stealing Home: The Story of Jackie Robinson (New York City: Scholastic Paperbacks, 1990) (grades 4-7)

Dingle, Derek. First in the Field: Baseball Hero Jackie Robinson (New York City: Scholastic Inc., 1999) (grades k-3)

Dunn, Herb. Young Sports Trailblazer (New York City: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, 1999) (grades 3-6)

Farrell, Edward. Character Counts! Young Jackie Robinson, Baseball Hero (New York City: Scholastic Publishing, 1992-2014) (grades pre-k-k)

Fishman, Cathy Goldberg. When Jackie and Hank Met (Seattle, Washington: Two Lions, 2012) (grades k-2)

Golenbeck, Peter. Teammates (Boston, Massachusetts: HMH Books for Young Readers, 1992)(grades k-2)

Grabowski, John. Jackie Robinson (Baseball Legends) (New York City: Chelsea House Publishers, 1990) (grades 4-6)

Gregory, Josh. Jackie Robinson (New York City: Scholastic Library Publishing, 2015) (grades 3-6)

Greene, Carol and Steve Dobson. Jackie Robinson: Baseball’s First Black Major Leaguer (New York City: Scholastic Library Publishing, 1990) (grades k-3)

Grossinger, Tania. Jackie and Me: A Very Special Friendship (New York City: Sky Pony Press, 2017) (grades pre-k-k)

Gutman, Dan. Jackie and Me (New York: Harper Collins, 1999) (grades pre-k- 5)

Haldy, Emma. Jackie Robinson (My Itty-bitty Bio) (Ann Arbor, Michigan: Cherry Lake Publishing, 2016) (grades k-1)

Hansen, Grace. Jackie Robinson: Baseball Legend (New York City: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2017) (grades k-2)

Herman, Gail. Who was Jackie Robinson? (New York City: Penguin Workshop Publisher, 2010) (grades 3-7)

Johnson, Spencer. Value of Courage (Oxfordshire, England: Oak Tree Publishers, Inc., 1977) (grades k-6)

Kaiser, Lisbeth. Who was Jackie Robinson? (New York City: Penguin Workshop Publisher, 2021) (grades pre-k-k)

Krensky, Stephen. Play Ball, Jackie ! (Lansing, Michigan: Millbrook Printing, 2011) (grades 2-3)

Lord, Betty Bao. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson (New York City: Harper Collins, 2010), (grades 3-5)

Meltzer, Brad. I Am Jackie Robinson (New York City: Dial Books, 2015) (grades k-2)

Michel, Moise. Kwame and his Great Adventures: Kwame meets Jackie Robinson (Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania: Page Publishing Inc., 2017) (grades 1-3)

O’Connor, Jim. Jackie Robinson and the Story of All-Black Baseball (New York City: Random House Books for Young Readers, 1989) (grades 2-4).

Osborne, Mary Pope. A Big Day for Baseball (New York City: Random House Books, 2019) (grades 2-4)

Patrick, Denise Lewis. Jackie Robinson: Strong Inside and Out (New York City: Harper Collins, 2005) (grades 2-4)

Prince, April Jones. Jackie Robinson: He Led the Way (New York City: Penguin Young Readers, 2007) (grades 1-3)

Russell, Nancy. So Long, Jackie Robinson (Santa Fe, New Mexico: Leaf Storm Press, 2007) (grades 4-6)

Scaletta, Kurtis. Trailblazers: Jackie Robinson: Breaking Barriers in Baseball (New York City: Random House Books for Young Readers, 2019) (grades 3-7)

Schaeffer, Lola. Jackie Robinson (Mankato, Minnestota: Capstone, 2002) (grades pre-k-2)

Sexton, Colleen. Jackie Robinson: A Life of Determination (Hopkins, Minnesota: Bellwether Media, 2007) (grades 3-5)

Simmons, Matt. Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Line in Baseball (New York City: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2014) (grades 4-6)

Smolka, Bo. Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier (Fort Wayne, Indiana: Sportzone Publishing, 2015) (grades 3-5)

Stoddard, Lindsay. Just Like Jackie (New York City: Harper Collins, 2018) (grades 3-6)

Terrell, Brandon. Dodger Dreams: The Courage of Jackie Robinson (Bloomington, Minnesota: Stone Arch Books, 2009) (grades 3-6)

Thorpe, Andrea. The Story of Jackie Robinson (Emeryville, California: Rockridge Press, 2021) (grades 1-5)

Uhlburg, Myron. Dad, Jackie, and Me (Atlanta, Georgia: Peachtree Publishing, 2010) (grades 1-2)

Walker, Sally M. Jackie Robinson (Minneapolis, Minnesota: Lerner Publishing Group, 2002) (grades 2-5)

Weldhorn, Manfred. Jackie Robinson (New York: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing,1993) (grades 4-7)

 

Notes

1 Brandon Terrell, Dodger Dreams (Bloomington, Minnesota: Stone Arch Books, 2010), 43.

2 Emma Carlson Berne, What’s Your Story, Jackie Robinson? (Mankato, Minnesota: Lerner Publications, 2015), 4.