Swinging into History: Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball's First Woman Player

by Karen L. Swanson, Laura Freeman (illustrator)

Young readers will root for Toni “Tomboy” Stone, the first woman (and the first Black woman) to break into professional baseball—taking over Hank Aaron’s roster spot—in this nonfiction picture book biography.Nothing could stop Toni “Tomboy” Stone from playing baseball—not even her parents. The only girl on a church team, she persevered as insults were hurled her way from the boy players. She caught the attention of former major leaguer Gabby Street, who gave her a chance at his summer baseball school. With Coach Street’s training—and the cleats he gifted her—Toni managed to earn a spot in the minor leagues. Though teams were hesitant to sign a woman, she pitched the idea that fans would pay to see a woman play—and it worked! But Toni’s persistence and optimism were not enough to win over the Jim Crow South crowds nor her male teammates. Coaches put her in the starting lineup and then benched her early, every game, no matter her results. But her talent got noticed and she was signed by the Indianapolis Clowns, becoming the first woman to break into the pros. “Toni arrives,” shouted newspaper headlines, and she delivered! In her first professional game she ripped a single and drove in two runs, and left the crowd chanting “TONI! TONI! TONI!”

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Sports, Nonfiction, Womens, African American, History

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Karen's award-winning picture book biography, "Swinging Into History, TONI STONE: Big-League Baseball's First Woman Player," was an AMAZON BEST SELLER in Children's Sports Biographies. It was also featured in The New York Times Book Review.

Visit her author website at https://www.karenlswanson.com

Karen also writes a blog about cholesterol at https://www.golowcholesterol.com, and is the author of two cookbooks about cholesterol.

Reviews

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut author Karen Swanson has written an interesting biography that is sure to inspire young girls. As a youngster, "Tomboy" Stone faced both gender and racial discrimination. Baseball was a boy's sport, but she preferred cleats to ice skates and would not be deterred. The book begins with a quote from Toni Stone and a large illustration of the woman in her mature years. Then the book tells the story of this remarkable woman. Renown illustrator Laura Freeman has created realistic pictures that have a style that captures the feel of the era and helps the reader visualize the time. Her pictures of Toni's face draw the eye, and help bring the woman to life. The story is written for youngsters, but the afterward includes a well researched detailed timeline that will please the older readers. This book is perfect for young sports fans or for anyone who enjoys reading biographies. I accessed a review copy of this book from the publisher, but I can honestly recommend this book. It is fine example of girl power, that teaches girls that they can chase their dreams.

[Gary Anderson]

Karen L. Swanson’s Swinging Into History is the picture book biography of Toni Stone, the first woman to play in the big leagues. After paying her dues in semi-professional ball, she joined Negro League team the Indianapolis Clowns when they traded Henry Aaron, becoming the first female player in the major leagues. Decades later, Major League Baseball officially recognized the Negro Leagues as major leagues, affirming the significance of Stone’s pioneering achievement that Swinging Into History proudly honors.

Like many picture book biographies, Swinging Into History begins in childhood, showing young “Tomboy” Stone defying expectations. Her parents and church community tried to steer her away from baseball, but she accepted their conditions for playing—and then surpassed them with the determination that would define her life.

As she climbed through the ranks of barnstorming and semi-professional teams, Stone faced double prejudice for both her skin color and her gender. After fifteen seasons, she finally got her chance with the Indianapolis Clowns. In her first game, Toni singled and drove in two runs.

Laura Freeman’s captivating illustrations present Toni in almost photographic realism. The images of Toni are set against colorful backdrops that convey historical and cultural information. Baseball books need to get the baseball right, and Freeman’s attention to the arm and leg musculature in the game-action pictures is authentically exact.

The life of Toni Stone is an inspiring testament to perseverance and resilience. While the book softens some of the harsher racist realities Stone faced, Swanson thoughtfully explores them in the back matter. Swinging Into History not only celebrates a sports pioneer but also offers young readers insight into American culture and progress in the twentieth century. This is a valuable addition to family, classroom, and library collections.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swanson tells the story of Toni Stone Field who had a passion for baseball. She faced numerous obstacles throughout her life for being a Black girl wanting to play baseball and not softball. She was born in 1921. As a child, she kept asking to play baseball with the boys and was continually rejected until one coach recognized her talent and passion and let her play.

She kept up her persistence for years, working to play in the Negro League with men. She tried to play for the women's league, but it was all-white and did not even respond to her request to try out. She moved teams a couple of times because of low pay. She was put on a team but then benched for most of the season. Nevertheless, she persisted.

The end of the picture book shows that she finally got some recognition from the Baseball Hall of Fame. The backmatter gives more detail about her life. There is also a timeline that has events about Toni and events about Black players in baseball and events related to the US Civil Rights movement.

The illustrations by Laura Freeman show Toni in action on the field and off. They are vivid, engaging, and beautiful.

It's a great book for young readers whether or not they participate in sports. I can see children 5 to 7 being an ideal audience, but older children will also find it interesting. I was very happy to learn about this woman who was a great advocate for herself and a very fine athlete with a great batting average and great fielding stats.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nonfiction biography of a real girl who grew up and broke barriers.
Toni Stone was the first woman of any color to break into professional baseball, and she is Black, too! She was a tomboy who never gave up and took any available help to improve her game until she made it and did her very best to prove that she was just as good as the guys.
About 80% of the book is a complex pictorial biography aimed at encouraging young people to do their best and not give up. The remainder is a result of due diligence in researching the history of this fantastic woman and a timeline of her life and team affiliations.
St Paul Minnesota has established Toni Stone Field.
The illustrations by Laura Freeman are fun, clear, appropriately colorful, and clear.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Astra Publishing House | Calkins Creek via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available Aug 06, 2024

[Andrew Dittmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy this book exists.

I must admit, the way this book is told feels like it's trying to both be a report on Toni Stone - with specific cited sources and quotations - and narrative nonfiction. I don't think it quite works, because I think this would have been stronger had the author chosen one means of telling the story.

That said, I couldn't help but be excited for and root for the main character.

There are so many stories like this that haven't been told. I'm hoping that someone sees this books and decides to write a biography of Lusia Harris, the only woman drafted into the NBA or so many underappreciated athletes currently competing in the 2024 Paris Paralympics or so many others.

We need to expand our understanding of sports heroes, and that means shining a light on women like Toni Stone.

Here for it (are we allowed to still say that?), even if this book didn't gel 100% for me!

Read: 27 August 2024
Reviewed: 27 August 2024

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toni Stone was not familiar to me before reading this remarkable picture book biography of a determined, boundary-breaking big-league baseball playing woman. This portrayal of her life offers plenty of documentation and examples of Toni's phenomenal sports talent, but also of her determination and persistence in proving she deserved her place on the field.
The fact is that her debut on a major league team took so long and demanded much more undeniable evidence of her earned position solely because she was a woman in a man's world. Some supported and befriended her, but few managed to risk supporting her path forward, and many actively blocked her way. The conclusion is very satisfying (no spoiler here) and back matter includes a timeline and extensive resources to provide further information.
Illustrations are effectively colorful, action-packed, and expressive, using multiple angles and perspectives to increase the thrills from Toni's life and from the sport itself.

[Amanda Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you heard of Toni Stone? No? Neither had I until I read this book. Toni Stone was not only the first woman to play professional baseball, but she was also the black woman! This nonfiction picture book walks the reader through the trials and tribulations of her rise in the sport. It is well-researched and includes quotes from various people about Toni and her journey. As a reader, I found it a little hard to read though. For me, I wish it was either a narrative nonfiction book, telling the information in a story like fashion, or a research nonfiction book giving the information in a matter of fact way. It was a combination of the two which made it harder to read. Overall, the information was interesting, and I would recommend it to find out more about Toni Stone.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a baseball fan, I absolutely loved Swinging Into History Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball's First Woman Player by Karen L. Swanson! Swinging Into History Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball's First Woman Player tells the story Toni Stone, the first woman and the first black woman to play professional baseball. Toni endeared me for her strength, grit, and gumption to do whatever it took to play her favorite sport, baseball. I had not heard of Toni's story before and am thankful I now know her story. I highly recommend Swinging Into History Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball's First Woman Player by Karen L. Swanson! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Picked this up while hanging out with my kid at the library, a little too old for him, but I wanted to learn more about the first woman to play pro baseball! As the only girl on my little league team as a kid, plus someone who had always been obsessed with old-timey baseball, I can’t believe I didn’t know that any women played in the Negro Leagues until a few years ago. This is a great introduction to Toni Stone, although the most interesting bits were the additional information and author’s notes in the back. The story itself ended abruptly and there was a lot of slang without context, but otherwise I enjoyed it.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book biography tells a powerful true story about talent, hard work, and perseverance through discrimination. Toni Stone was the first woman, and the first Black woman, to play in Major League baseball, and this book tells her story through vivid text and detailed illustrations. The book also includes quotes from her, and has additional information in the backmatter. This will appeal to kids and adults who like learning about hidden histories, and to readers who like sports.

I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

SWINGING INTO HISTORY is an inspirational story following a determined Toni Stone, the first woman to play in big-league baseball. Despite ridicule, stereotypes and prejudice, she persevered to achieve her dreams. Chronologically told, Karen Swanson includes narrative text in addition to excerpts from quotations and newspaper articles. Occasionally these excerpts interrupt the narrative storyline, so I wonder if the design could have been handled differently. Overall, a great story to inspire youth to fight the good fight and achieve their dreams.

[Bridgette A · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book by Karen L. Swanson, should be a good read to young girls from 9-11 years of age. Girls who love to play sports for boys, is considered Tomboys. This book strongly stresses to never give up on your dream; especially, if people has a different opinion that goes against your wishes. Toni's parents were against the dream, because she is a girl and baseball is sport where men and boys play. Toni practice hard and gave it her all. This book demonstrates by working hard, practice daily, and building confidence in your weak areas.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of the artwork; however, I love when informational picture books share tid bits of history that readers may not come across in their classrooms. I did not know anything about Toni Stone who was the first woman to play in the big-leagues. Unfortunately, her story is riddled with instances of racism and sexism (more specifically misogynoir); however, it further the hardships she faced as a Black woman that loved and dreamed of professional baseball.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC Provided by Netgalley

I love reading books about historical figures I have never heard of before, so I really enjoyed this book! A great addition to any elementary or middle school collection, and perfect for a read aloud at the beginning of baseball season, or for Black History or Women's History Month!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture book biography of Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball, replacing Hank Aaron on the Indianapolis Clowns. She had to deal with overt sexism – even in her own family – and racism to achieve her dream.

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! It has great graphics! It shows young girls what they can do if they put their mind to it! Keep working! You can do it!

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice biography. I liked that they included primary sources (newspaper headlines or quotes).

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for work, but so inspiring!