For the Love of the Cubs: An A–Z Primer for Cubs Fans of All Ages

by Frederick C. Klein, Mark Anderson (Illustrator)

For more than 100 years the Chicago Cubs have been the “Lovable Losers,” best known for their futility and popularity. But that all changed in 2016, when Joe Maddon’s squad won the World Series, defeating the Cleveland Indians in an extra-inning Game 7 which will go down in history as one of the greatest games ever played. The colorful characters and great players who won the Word Series and fill Cubs history are captured in this book, brilliantly illustrated by Mark Anderson and thoughtfully capsulized by former Wall Street Journal columnist Frederick C. Klein.

It is the perfect book for parents wanting to introduce their children to the Cubs—or for fans of any age who dream of visiting the “Friendly Confines” without ever leaving home.

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published April 16, 2003

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma]

I've read this before, but hey, the Chicago Cubs just won the World Series of (American) baseball, 2016, ending the longest professional sports championship drought in the country. They had last won in 1908, and had last been in a world series in 1945. And then lost. So this book was out on display at the library and the kids are reading it and enjoying it, having been allowed to stay up late to see all the games. This entry is just an excuse to say I watched all those games, as a baseball fan, and Chicago sports fan, and it was agonizing, nerve-wracking, in part because they were behind 3-1 games in a best of 7 series, and then tied it up 3-3 games and in the seventh game were ahead 5-1, had the Cleveland Indians tie it up 6-6, so it was decided in extra innings. Cliches like rollercoaster are the only thing that come to mind. What is it about sports and cliches?!

If you don't like sports you will not be reading this far in the review, anyway, but I will say this kind of drought provided the occasion for people in the Chicago to actually weep in relief when they won, as there are many departed Cub fan relatives and family that would have liked to see the game. 104 year old fans watched it. A 60+ year old guy fulfilled the promise he made to his Dad, who died in the eighties, and he drove 600 miles to listen to the game on the radio at his Dad's gravesite. The Cubs put out chalk around Wrigley Field and invited people to write the names of departed Cub fans on the brick walls surrounding the stadium. I went Saturday to see that and it is sort of moving and crazy emotional and maybe has something to do with the need to escape during this terrible election. Some good news, and that at least, the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago did not elect Trump.

Oh! The book is one of those alphabet books where each entry is a Cubs icon. The pen and watercolor art is good. Ernie Banks and Chip Caray (iconic Cub announcer Harry Caray's son) write forewords.

[Elizabeth]

Perfect gift given to me as a Cubs fan.

[Chrystian Staniskawski]

It was not that good. All it was about is old cubs players and why they're famous. It was boring.

[Loren Sanders]

Super cute!

[Jessica]

My Dad had these and after he died, I'm not sure what happened to them. Norma found them for me and they are super fun and nostalgic.

[Debby]

4.33⭐? [rating tweak and review possibly to come]

[Lauren]

Read this with my boy Lukey at the beginning of the season. Hard to watch the games these days, but reading this book reminds me why I'm such a fan in the first place. A terrific synopsis of past players, a great overview of the team, and an important documentation of why this ball club and its iconic ballpark are so meaningful to so many.

And Lukey, almost 8, loved it! :)

[Kristin]

I read this book to my 9-month-old daughter weekly. She's in it for the high quality artwork and I'm in it for the nostalgia.

[John]

A must read for the Cubs fan.