The Funniest Man in Baseball: The True Story of Max Patkin

K-Gr 3—Vernick (The Kid From Diamond Street: The Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton) has hit another home run with this enjoyable account of baseball clown Max Patkin. As a young boy, Patkin longed to be a major league player. An injury ended his playing career but he pitched for a navy team during World War II. After giving up a home run to Joe DiMaggio, Patkin followed DiMaggio around the bases mimicking him and making faces. A career was born, and Patkin spent the next 50 years entertaining crowds at minor league games. Vernick's delightful prose combines with Bower's cartoon illustrations to ensure an engaging read—the opening sentence alone will hook kids ("Did you hear the one about the pitcher who walked into a ballpark?"). Photographs and references are included in the back. VERDICT A welcome addition to public and school libraries alike.—Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA

Growing up, Max Patkin had big baseball dreams, but was also "a funny guy, a goofy guy, always looking for a laugh." In this picture book biography, Vernick (Brothers at Bat) details Patkin's brief career as a ballplayer, first in the minor leagues and then with a team of enlisted players during WWII. During one game, he pitches against, then pokes fun at Joe DiMaggio, earning a reputation as a jokester in the process. A shoulder injury forces Patkin to retire from the game, but his talents as an entertainer land him an official role as a "baseball clown" and performer in the big leagues. Vernick writes in energetic prose that is well matched to debut illustrator Bower's cartoons, which depict Patkin's exaggerated movements and clownlike expressions on and off the field. Readers learn little about Patkin's personal life, though a quote from Patkin provides insight into how he felt about the unconventional role he filled: "In my heart I would have rather been a big-league baseball player. But then I'd have never made so many people happy." An author's note includes photographs and additional insight into Patkin's life and outsize personality. Ages 6-9. (Apr.)

"Vernick has hit another home run with this enjoyable account of baseball clown Max Patkin."—School Library Journal

"A loving homage to the last baseball clown."—Kirkus

"Vernick writes in energetic prose that is well matched to debut illustrator Bower's cartoons, which depict Patkin's exaggerated movements and clownlike expressions on and off the field."—Publishers Weekly

"He's a jolly subject, and Vernick's lively text gives him full due."—Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books