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8th out of 30 books
—
20 voters
Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson
Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, has crafted a hearwarming, true story about growing up with her father.
When Jackie Robinson retires from baseball and moves his family to Connecticut, the beautiful lake on their property is the center of everyone's fun. The neighborhood children join the Robinson kids for swimming and boating. But oddly, Ja...more
When Jackie Robinson retires from baseball and moves his family to Connecticut, the beautiful lake on their property is the center of everyone's fun. The neighborhood children join the Robinson kids for swimming and boating. But oddly, Ja...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
October 1st 2009
by Scholastic Press
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Jackie Robinson not only showed his courage when he crossed the race barrier in the American baseball leagues in the 1940's, but he also became the bravest man in his children's eyes. This story shows Jackie and his children interacting in an activity that Jackie is very uncomfortable, swimming. However, when it comes to his children's safety after the pond freezes over, Jackie is the first one out on the ice to check its' thickness. His unselfishness is also evident when he paved the way for ot...more
Wonderfully done. While the book tells the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in MLB, that is not the whole purpose of the book. The book is really about bravery, both dramatic and simple. It leaves you feeling that even though your dad isn't on the news or remembered in history, yet he may be just as brave as Jackie Robinson. It is also a glimpse into the home life of Jackie Robinson, as told by his daughter. It doesn't say anything about the kids having friends of different sk...more
My children are younger than the ages recommended for this book and they still loved it. My son loved it as he's a huge baseball fan and loved learning about one of America's greatest baseball players. Sharon does such a great job at pulling the reader into this story. It starts out talking about her father's accomplishments and what he endured as an African American baseball player. Then she talks about this beautiful home and property they moved into in CT that had a lovely pond that they woul...more
This is a beautiful book—a tribute from a daughter to her heroic father. And isn’t that the way it should be? My father was certainly my childhood hero (and he still is!). Author Sharon Robinson grew up with fond memories of her father who was the first black man to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball. It’s a story about courage brought to life through the stunning illustrations by Kadir Nelson. I especially loved the facial close-ups. They helped to make the story that much more re...more
My children are younger than the ages recommended for this book and they still loved it. My son loved it as he's a huge baseball fan and loved learning about one of America's greatest baseball players. Sharon does such a great job at pulling the reader into this story. It starts out talking about her father's accomplishments and what he endured as an African American baseball player. Then she talks about this beautiful home and property they moved into in CT that had a lovely pond that they wou...more
Testing the Ice is a warm, wonderful story by Jackie’s daughter Sharon, illustrated with the amazing oils of Kadir Nelson. As Sharon tells the story of how her dad braved the ice one winter so she and other kids could go ice skating, you feel as if you are sitting around the living room hearing it live. And it will bring (happy) tears to your eyes!
An author’s note provides additional background on his life.
Evaluation: This book makes a great start for both kids and adults to get an intimate gli...more
An author’s note provides additional background on his life.
Evaluation: This book makes a great start for both kids and adults to get an intimate gli...more
While searching the library shelves for treasures, I came across Testing the Ice by Sharon Robinson, a true story about Jackie Robinson. The last names are not a coincidence; Sharon wrote this book about her beloved father. What I cherished about her story was that it wasn’t centered around Jackie's record-breaking baseball career, but rather focused on a different side of her father… a side that portrayed vulnerability and insecurities in one of our most profound heroes.
Not only did this hear...more
Not only did this hear...more
I really enjoyed this book! Sharon Robinson's writing style is beautiful. She never talks down to the reader. She's written a book that has a message without it ever feeling too preachy. Instead, it comes across as her telling a childhood tale. The image of Jackie Robinson stepping out onto the frozen ice, even though he's afraid because he can't swim is also a great metaphor for him stepping into the world of baseball and breaking the color barrier. But this metaphor is worked so well into the...more
Jan 06, 2011
Jackie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
baseball,
5012,
children-non-fiction,
historical,
memoir,
prejudice,
pride,
monarch-award-nominee-2012
If I could give this book a billion stars, I would. Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson is a story told from a childhood memory, that speaks volumes. What child would not be proud of a father who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball? Yet, he is also the father that braved walking across the frozen ice to test its strength, knowing that he couldn't swim. For his children, he would do the unthinkable...for a nation of baseball fans, he was the first of a long line of fi...more
I especially love sharing picture book biographies with young children. They are intrigued by the real stories, and the best of these books push students to think about bigger issues. Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson, is a wonderful, stirring picture book by Sharon Robinson and Kadir Nelson that shares the story of Jackie Robinson with a young audience.
Sharon Robinson, daughter of famed baseball player Jackie Robinson, wrote this book to teach kids about her father, but she f...more
Sharon Robinson, daughter of famed baseball player Jackie Robinson, wrote this book to teach kids about her father, but she f...more
Sharon Robinson writes about how her father, Jackie Robinson who would test the frozen lake by their house before they could go out and ice skate on it during the winter. He wanted to make sure it was safe for all the children so he would be the first to go out on it. She connected this warm family tale of how her father Jackie Robinson was the first African American man to break into the major league baseball. Jackie Robinson tested how people would react to him being the first man of color to...more
Audience: This book would attract the attention of both boy and girl students. This would also be a choice to students who have an interest in sports.
Appeal: This book has beautiful illustrations that students will be able to focus on. In addition to this the book being about a famous baseball player will attract many students into wanting to read it.
Application: I would use this book when talking about heros in history or people who were motivational and stood up for what they believed in. Th...more
Appeal: This book has beautiful illustrations that students will be able to focus on. In addition to this the book being about a famous baseball player will attract many students into wanting to read it.
Application: I would use this book when talking about heros in history or people who were motivational and stood up for what they believed in. Th...more
More Kadir Nelson fangirl gushing here.
Lovely paintings. Like the one where all the kids are sitting around listening to Jackie Robinson talk about his early days in the Major Leagues. There's one little boy with glasses and big ears that stick out. He just makes me laugh. A funny character.
And then the painting where he is coming back from testing the ice for all of the neighborhood kids. The text says "All I could think was: My Dad is the bravest man alive."
How wonderful that due to talented a...more
Lovely paintings. Like the one where all the kids are sitting around listening to Jackie Robinson talk about his early days in the Major Leagues. There's one little boy with glasses and big ears that stick out. He just makes me laugh. A funny character.
And then the painting where he is coming back from testing the ice for all of the neighborhood kids. The text says "All I could think was: My Dad is the bravest man alive."
How wonderful that due to talented a...more
This book, written by Jackie Robinson's daughter, covers the breaking of the color barrier in baseball, but it does something even more important than that. Through this story, children can see the kind of character that makes this man a real hero. She talks of his courage in facing his fears in order to be certain his children would be safe. She shows how he demonstrated the love for his family. It is this strength of character that made Robinson the baseball hero we all know, but it is more im...more
This book about Jackie Robinson is a slice of life written by his daughter Sharon. She writes a little about his baseball career and talks about his bravery in that very public portion of his life. Sharon also opens the door into his home life and a moment where he overcomes a personal fear as well.
At my library we have a section of books that we think are of particular interest to older children (4th and up). I think that this book would work well in that section. It is beautifully illustrated...more
At my library we have a section of books that we think are of particular interest to older children (4th and up). I think that this book would work well in that section. It is beautifully illustrated...more
Testing the Ice is written by Sharon Robinson and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This is the story about the first professional baseball player, who also happened to be black, Jackie Robinson. The story si told from his daughter's, Sharon Robinson, perspective. The story uses the metaphor of testing the ice of a lake in winter to help explain his breaking of the color barrier in baseball. The illustrations in this book keep your eyes glued to every page. The expressions of the characters are beaut...more
Written by Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson's daughter, this book tells about her childhood with a famous father shortly after he retired from baseball. The reader gets a different perspective of Jackie Robinson, Jackie as a dad. Jackie does tell about his experience in baseball, but the main focus of the book is on how, even though he can't swim, Jackie tests the ice for his children to see if it is strong enough for them to skate on.
Kadir Nelson's illustrations are mostly close ups of the char...more
Kadir Nelson's illustrations are mostly close ups of the char...more
Audience: This book is great for children of all ages. For younger children, it's harder to read but an adult or older child could read it to them. It's also a great read for someone that is a fan of baseball or Jackie Robinsion.
Appeal: I would incorporate this into the classroom when discussing African American history or when talking about treating everyone equally. It tells how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball but it also talks about another fear that he had and that he ov...more
Appeal: I would incorporate this into the classroom when discussing African American history or when talking about treating everyone equally. It tells how Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball but it also talks about another fear that he had and that he ov...more
This book is written by Jackie Robinson's daughter. Apparently, since this is listed as fiction, this is not a true tale. That's unfortunate.
Ms. Robinson tells of her father's bravery of checking the ice for the children to play on. THis is something monumental for Jackie since it appears he has a fear of water. Ms. Robinson draws parallels between that episode and her father's breaking the color barrier in major league baseball. THat is a bit of a stretch, methinks, but it is a nicely told stor...more
Ms. Robinson tells of her father's bravery of checking the ice for the children to play on. THis is something monumental for Jackie since it appears he has a fear of water. Ms. Robinson draws parallels between that episode and her father's breaking the color barrier in major league baseball. THat is a bit of a stretch, methinks, but it is a nicely told stor...more
Sharon Robinson and Kadir Nelson have hit this one out of the park. This biography picture book tells the story of what happened to Jackie Robinson after baseball. Readers will be interested to know heroes have fears too. Robinson's text tells this story in clear voice highlighting the many characters that were in the lives of Robinson after he retired from Major League Baseball. She tells this story with the love, affection, and honesty of a daughter's love for her father. Nelson's paintings ar...more
This fantastic book about Jackie Robinson by his daughter, Sharon, is a must-read for students in grades 2 and up. Boys and girls will like learning more about Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball, and the courage it took for him to do it. Ms. Robinson gives her personal experience with her famous dad and the courage he showed her, her siblings and friends when he faced one of his greatest fears on an icy winter day. The illustrations are rich, vibrant, an...more
This lovely book was written by Jackie Robinson's daughter, Sharon, and shares the story of how he set aside his fears to literally test the ice so his children and their friends could ice skate one winter afternoon. Kadir Nelson's amazing capture the reader's attention (my second-grade boys were hooked by the picture of Jackie sliding into home during the 1955 World Series against the Yankees) and bring warmth and depth to the story. This books is inspiring and serves as a metaphor as Jackie Ro...more
Another amazing book about baseball player Jackie Robinson...this one is told by his daughter Sharon Robinson. She manages to capture the essence of Jackie Robinson's character by not only sharing his experience playing major league baseball but by also showing how those same characteristics translated into his every day life as a father and husband. The illustrations will absolutely take your breath away. Kadir Nelson is one of the finest illustrators I've ever seen. His work is AMAZING! Fantas...more
To start with I have to say that I am a huge fan of Kadir Nelson. I love, love, love what he does. There is something about light and contrast that is so deeply stunning in his illustrations. Whew. And this book does not disappoint. Hold on. I have to take a deep breath.....there. So, these illustrations are nicely woven together with Sharon Robinson's rememberance of her dad. She tells a poignant story of him testing the ice on their pond for skating and links it with his testing of the ice in...more
Great story of a national treasure told by his daughter and depicted with great skill, emotion - both tension and joy - and clarity by Kadir Nelson (I also loved his illustrations for the Joe Louis book). What is especially lovely is how the book is centered in the Robinson family at their lake home, how much of a hero Robinson was to his kids and their neighborhood friends, and how his testing the lake's ice for winter skating mirrored the waters he tested for African American players in major...more
This is a wonderful diversity book of people of color. I enjoyed the illustrations. I would recommend this book to 2nd or 3rd graders.
Children's Literature
This is a beautifully illustrated book written by Jackie Robinson's daughter about her father, his break into baseball, and a personal family story. The family had just moved from Queens, NY to Connecticut and the part of the move that the family liked best was the new friends that they made with the neighbors and the lake that ran to their y...more
Children's Literature
This is a beautifully illustrated book written by Jackie Robinson's daughter about her father, his break into baseball, and a personal family story. The family had just moved from Queens, NY to Connecticut and the part of the move that the family liked best was the new friends that they made with the neighbors and the lake that ran to their y...more
If you've read Henry's Freedom Box and loved the illustrations, and there is no reason you wouldn't love the illustrations because they are incredible, you will love the illustrations in this book. A thought provoking yet endearing tale about Jackie Robinson outside of his character role as life changing baseball player. He was a father and this story is told by his daughter. A great introduction for students into segregation and its application into the world of sports. Also, a 2012 Monarch nom...more
A nice companion book to books about Robinson as the man who broke the color barrier in professional baseball. The book tells a true story of Robinson's fear of the water, and a quieter bravery shown when he stepped out on the winter ice despite his fear, to make sure the way was safe for children. Would make a good book to pair with other books about Robinson, particularly for older students who might have met Robinson through other books or stories. Written by Robinson's daughter.
The daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson relates a significant story from her childhood in this picture book beautifully illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Robinson faced hateful, threatening crowds on the diamond when he broke major league baseball’s color barrier, but in his daughter’s eyes his true bravery was exhibited when he walked out onto a frozen pond before allowing kids to ice skate on it--even though he couldn’t swim. Nelson’s richly-colored illustrations bring every inch of space o...more
A story about Jackie Robinson, brought to life by his daughter. There is some of the familiar biographical information at the beginning, then coupled with how much bravery it took him to test the ice for his and the neighborhood kids to see if it was sound (even though he did not know how to swim if it were to break). Robinson is made an accessible hero by the telling of the story though a child's recollection.
The illustrations are sumptuously painted, adding a lot to the feel
The illustrations are sumptuously painted, adding a lot to the feel
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Sep 29, 2011 11:19am