4.5 stars.

I'm grateful to have received a copy of Call Me Roberto from Netgalley, as this picture book biography is excellent.

The book covers the career of baseball icon Roberto Clemente, a Black Puerto Rican player who achieved incredible heights as a baseball player while fighting prejudice he faced as a Black and Spanish-speaking person in the US in the 50s-70s. I did find myself wishing that it included a little bit more about his personal life and his activism, but I also appreciated how in the note at the end the author mentions that many sources often focus on those aspects of his life rather than on what an incredible athlete he was, and I respect that. I don't know a lot about sports history as a whole, so I came into this without much knowledge to go off of, but I enjoyed learning here. The story is engaging and the art is dreamy and gorgeous.

Call Me Roberto! is definitely a book worth reading, and one I would recommend, especially for kids who are interested in sports (especially baseball of course) and history.

Nathalie Alonso has made a career of reporting about baseball to Spanish language sports fans. Her knowledge and love of the sport shine through in this inspiring novel about the MVP Major league athlete, Roberto Clemente. Although he was not the first hispanic in the MBA, he did fight to break down the barriers of prejudice against hispanics in the sport. Although full of information about his career, the fast paced book does not get bogged down in facts. The story itself blends information and inspiration to entertain young sports fans. The afterward contains an author's note about the man's life, a Spanish language glossary and a detailed timeline that will educate older readers. Caldecott honor-winning artist Rudy Gutierrez has provided compelling illustrations in vivid colors and a imaginative art style. I received a temporary digital edition from the publisher. However, the opinions in this voluntary review are entirely my own. This picture book biography is sure to entertain, educate and inspire any young sports fan.

Highly recommend this exciting, accessible bio of a proud Afro-Latino baseball phenom who played brilliantly for Pittsburgh for 18 years. Dynamic, dreamlike illustrations. End matter includes detailed bio and photos.

A wonderful look at the life of Roberto Clemente
I read this book for consideration for inclusion in a curriculum package for Curriculum Associates.
Thank you for the e-arc, we greatly appreciated the opportunity to review this pre-publication.

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book that captures the life and career of Roberto Clemente. Along with being a fantastic baseball player and a member of the 3,000 hit club, Clemente was also a humanitarian who tragically died in a plane crash while delivering aid to the survivors of a Nicaragua earthquake.

The book's bright colors and eye-catching illustrations will draw kids in as they learn about one of MLB's greats.

Beautiful artwork. I like that the author gives a more detailed biography at the end. Additionally, I like how the author focuses on Clemente's baseball accomplishments and not just his humanitarian work.

It is always a humbling experience to read a biography that highlights the accomplishments of someone you admired growing up. When that person was born and raised in the same place as you and he became a baseball legend and a hero in his native Puerto Rico, and to many in Pittsburgh, and in Nicaragua, it is even more significant.

Call me Roberto is an ode to a skilled and gifted Black Puerto Rican baseball player that was proud of his language and his culture. Beautifully written by journalist Nathalia Alonso, the book describes a determined, courageous, and kind Roberto and shares the story of how he endured years of racism, criticism, and discrimination, with grace and dignity, becoming one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez are stunning and poignant. Thank you, Nathalie, for introducing Roberto’s story to a new generation of readers, all over the world. As a Puerto Rican, it makes me proud to know that Roberto’s legacy is still alive and recognized. A book for home libraries, neighborhood libraries, school libraries and, bookstores everywhere!
Maritere R. Bellas

Roberto Clemente, a remarkable American baseball player, was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 18, 1934. From a young age, he was passionate about baseball and loved everything, from swinging the bat to catching the ball. He started playing baseball in Montreal, Canada, but unfortunately, he didn't get much playing time there. However, he didn't give up on his dream and continued to work hard and hone his skills. In 1955, Roberto got to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team, which marked the beginning of his professional career. Although he was an excellent player, he faced discrimination and unfair treatment because of his skin color. Despite the challenges, he never lost his spirit and continued to work hard, earning a reputation as a dedicated and talented player. Roberto's perseverance eventually paid off when he helped the Pirates win the World Series of baseball in 1960. He went on to become a legend of the game, achieving 3,000 hits. His contributions to the world of baseball were enormous, and his legacy still inspires young players today.

Nathalie Alonso's "Call Me Roberto" book is a beautiful tribute to Roberto's life and legacy. It is a comprehensive resource with a glossary, timeline, and bibliography, making it an excellent educational tool for homes and schools. It tells the story of Roberto's life and achievements and highlights the challenges he faced and overcame. Roberto Clemente's life is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and hard work.

I just reviewed Call Me Roberto! by Nathalie Alonso, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez. #CallMeRoberto #NetGalley

This picture book biography tells the inspiring true story of how Roberto Clemente helped integrate baseball. The illustrations are bold and colorful, and they convey movement vividly, which is perfect for a sports book! The story emphasizes how talented Clemente was, what a great baseball player he was, and how he used his platform to advocate for justice and uplift others. This is a truly inspiring story, and is a must-have for library collections.

Pjs, cuddling, and story-time before bed is a favorite at our house! The last couple weeks the kids had so much fun reading some new material I was given advanced copies of. It’s cute how now they ask what new books I have to read. As soon as I’m finished they will tell me what they loved about the book. My great little reviewers! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚📖 @netgalley #netgalley

Mandela Cloudy Days by Kuljinder Kaur Brar ( comes out Oct 21)
Her dad is a truck driver and she has to learn how handle her “stormy cloud emotion” days. A great book about emotions.

From Plant to Plate by Darryl Gadzepo (comes out May 20)

Odd Animal Out by Ben Hoare (comes out May 20)

Mel and Mac by Elena Joannides (comes out Nov 13)

100 First Words for Little Utahans by Christopher Robbin’s (comes out June 17)

The Most Perfect Persimmon by Hannah Chung (comes out Aug 12)

Call Me Roberto by Nathalie Alonso (comes out Aug 26)

Addition and Subtraction Kindergarten Math Workbook (comes out May 20)

Callis Fun Bilingual Tales by Jorji Colley (comes out June 17)

The Strangest Fish by Katherine Arden (comes out September 2)

Santa’s New Start by Aditi Wardhan Singh (comes out April 21)

The Blue Canoe by Sheryl McFarlane (comes out July 8)

In Time by Marina Ruiz (comes out July 8)

The Wind in the Willows (comes out July 31)

Stella and Marigold by Annie Barrows (comes out Sept 30)

Emily Snook by Laura Bower (comes out Sept 16)

Trunk Goes Thunk by Heather C Morris (comes out Sept 9)

Swinging into History by Karen L Swanson (comes out Aug 5)

Sonya and the Super Duper Disaster by Rachel Funez (comes out July 22)

Squirrel Needs a Break by Kristen Remenar (comes out May 6)

Pickle Words by April Pulley Sayre (comes out July 15)

She Sells Seashells by Heidi Stemple (comes out July 15)

Squawk of Spanish by Gabrielle Aldeman (comes out Aug 12)

Just Us by Mary Beth Griffin (comes out Aug 26)

Trabsportation by DK (comes out May 20)

The Bedtime Book of Magical Creatures by Stephen Krensky (comes out May 27)

This is an excellent introductory/picture book on Roberto Clemente. The text is simple and engaging, perfect for its' audience of young readers.