The Growing Up Pedro Boston Public Library Tour, 2016

Just want to spread the word about a bunch of fun events I have coming up later this month in Boston. I'll be visiting 14 branches of the Boston Public Library over 5 days- my own literary version of the Boston Marathon! I did this last summer (9 libraries over 3 days) and it was a blast.

Each event will include a presentation about my book, Growing Up Pedro, followed by a fun art project for kids. And here's the best part:

Every participating child will get a free hardcover copy of Growing Up Pedro! 

Seriously! The Boston Public Library bought 375 copies of Growing Up Pedro, and I get to give them all away. How great is that!

This is all part of the Boston Public Library's excellent Read Your Way to Fenway program, which I am honored to involved with. Registration is required, and space is limited. Contact your local branch for details.

Fun Story from Red Sox Winter Weekend

Here's a snippet from an email that made my day, from the mom of a young reader named Matthew:

... Had to share this photo with you. We went to Red Sox Winter Weekend at Foxwoods, this past weekend.  Matthew carried your book around all weekend, hoping to get Pedro to sign it.  Matthew even used your book at a panel discussion, where he got up in front of a packed room (probably 300 people) by himself, and stepped to the microphone, asking Pedro how he went from "throwing rocks at mango trees to being one of the greatest pitchers of all time?".....not bad for an 8 year old! 

Anyway, we came close to getting the book signed twice, and missed.  However, upon checkout yesterday, who was also waiting for the valet to get a car for him??? Yup, Pedro!  Matthew took the book over, and he very sweetly, signed the book.  Was so nice!  Way to end our weekend!!!!

And here's the photo of Matthew with his copy of Growing Up Pedro, signed on the opening endpapers, "Pedro Martinez, HOF 2015". So cool! Recognize the guy in the background? (hint: IT'S PEDRO MARTINEZ!!)

I also love this picture from earlier in the weekend, showing Matthew pulling off a brilliant Growing Up Pedro photobomb, right behind Pedro himself! Well done sir!

Thanks Matthew! Glad you had a fun weekend, and I'm so happy you finally got to meet Pedro.

2015 Red Sox Summer Reading Game!

Pedro Martinez, 2000 MTA Red Sox Summer Reading Game spokesman

When the Massachusetts Teachers Association first launched their Red Sox Summer Reading Game back in 2000, their very first spokesman was the reigning Cy Young Award winner, Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez.

Fifteen years later, Pedro is on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Red Sox Summer Reading Game is still going strong. I'm happy to be teaming up again with my favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, my pal Wally (the coolest mascot in baseball), the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and this year's spokesperson, Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow, on the 2015 MTA Red Sox Summer Reading Game.

In the coming weeks, 15,000 posters and 500,000 entry forms will be distributed in schools around the state. This year's materials feature Craig Breslow and Wally reading my book, Growing Up Pedro, at Fenway Park! I'm thrilled that the MTA chose Growing Up Pedro as this year's featured book, especially given the vital role Pedro played in getting this excellent program off the ground back in 2000.

So teachers, librarians, and students in grades K through 8 should be on the lookout for the posters and entry forms. In the meantime, you can visit readingmatters.org to download an entry form and print a free poster.

To enter, students simply need to list nine books they pledge to read over the summer, for a chance to win two free tickets to a Red Sox game in September! 100 students will win tickets, so it's definitely worth entering!

Good luck, happy reading, and GO RED SOX!

The 2015 MTA Red Sox Summer Reading Game poster

Growing Up Pedro

Here's a quick 30-second look at Growing Up Pedro, my upcoming picture book biography of the great Pedro Martinez.

It doesn't come out until February but you can pre-order it now, from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or an independent bookstore near you. (If you do, please consider yourself pre-thanked!)


And here's the front cover:

Growing Up Pedro, first proofs

Looking over first proofs for Growing Up Pedro (Candlewick, 2015)!

For more regular updates leading up to the publication date, find me on facebook and twitter.

Becoming Babe Ruth Giveaway!

It's been a very busy spring (traveling around for lots of school visits, finishing up my Pedro Martinez book, helping out with my daughters' little league teams...), so I haven't been keeping up with my "monthly" book giveaway on my facebook page. But here it is!

I'm giving away this signed copy of Becoming Babe Ruth, with an original ink drawing of Wade Boggs inside. To enter, just visit my facebook page and like, share, or comment on this post to enter. I'll set a deadline of midnight on Friday, June 6, 2014, and I'll announce the winner on Saturday morning. If you're not on facebook, you can enter by leaving a comment on this post.

Boggs, like Ruth, was a star for the Red Sox and the Yankees. He was also one of my favorite Red Sox players when I was a kid, and I remember what a bummer it was when I heard he signed with the Yankees. He was part of the first Red Sox team I really knew (Boggs, Barrett, Rice, Clemens...) and even though he spent those years with the Yankees, I'd like to see his number 26 retired at Fenway someday.

 Here are some pictures of the book:

Becoming Babe Ruth, with original pen drawing of Wade Boggs on page 1

And here's a picture I drew of Wade Boggs when I was a kid:

Find Becoming Babe Ruth at an independent bookstore near you.

Red Sox Reading Game 2014!

I'm happy to be teaming up again with my favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, my pal Wally, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and this year's new spokesperson, World Series champion Craig Breslow, on the 2014 MTA Red Sox Reading Game.

In the coming weeks, 15,000 posters and 500,000 entry forms will be distributed in schools around the state. This year's materials feature Craig Breslow and Wally reading my book, Zachary's Ball, at Fenway Park!

So teachers, librarians and Massachusetts students in grades K through 8 should be on the lookout for the posters and entry forms. In the meantime, you can visit readingmatters.org to download an entry form and print a free poster.

To enter, students simply need to list nine books they pledge to read over the summer, for a chance to win two free tickets to a Red Sox game in September! 100 students will win tickets, so it's definitely worth entering!

Good luck, happy reading, and GO RED SOX!

Next up: Pedro Martinez!

I'm thrilled to announce the subject of my next picture book biography: the greatest baseball player I've ever seen in person, and one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Pedro Martinez.

As a lifelong Red Sox fan, so many of my fondest baseball memories are of watching Pedro pitch. Once I even spent the whole night outside Fenway Park, in hopes of getting tickets to see him pitch in game 3 of the 1999 American League Championship Series. (I got tickets, and it was worth it!)

Back then, I didn't know much about Pedro beyond what I saw on the field and what I heard in his always-entertaining post-game interviews.  But when I started researching his life, I learned that there was so much more to Pedro's story.

I don't want to give away too much, but I can tell you the title: Growing Up Pedro. It's a story about overcoming obstacles, the power of brotherhood, and of course, baseball.

Here's a sneak peek at one of the illustrations:

Growing Up Pedro will be published by Candlewick, and will hit bookstores in February of 2015. I'm about halfway done with the illustrations, so time to get back to work!

Zachary's Ball Giveaway, World Series Edition!

The Red Sox made it to the World Series!! And it starts tomorrow!!! To celebrate, I'm giving away this autographed copy of Zachary's Ball, with an original pen drawing inside, of Shane Victorino hitting his amazing game-winning grand slam in game 6 of the ALCS.

To enter, just leave a comment with your prediction for the World Series (you know, Sox in 4, Sox in 6, Sox in 7, etc...). I'll just pick a winner randomly. I'm thinking I might do a few more of these during the series, especially if a lot of people enter to win this one.

Here's the drawing of Victorino on the title page:

This copy is a Fenway Centennial Edition of Zachary's Ball, which came out in 2012. Here's the cover:

And even if you don't win, if you're looking for a good Red Sox bedtime story to read to your kids during the final days of this magical season, you can buy signed first edition copies of Zachary's Ball through my web site, or unsigned copies at all the usual places.

GO SOX!!

We Art Boston

Just wanted to spread the word about a great program I am honored to be involved with: We Art Boston, a fundraising event and auction featuring original artwork and books by over 40 beloved contemporary children's book illustrators, including Mo Willems, Barbara McClintock, Oliver Jeffers, David Macaulay, Melissa Sweet, Joe McKendry... the list goes on! All proceeds will benefit the Emergency and Trauma Fund at Boston's Children's Hospital.

I donated this illustration, from my book, There Goes Ted Williams:

As part of the We Art Boston fundraiser, I will be involved with two fun events: first I'll be joining my friends, award-winning illustrators Barbara McClintock and Joe McKendry, for a Stuffed Animal Portrait Party at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, MA on October 5. Bring your favorite stuffed animal, and we'll draw a portrait of it!

Then I'll be at the big event at the Rose Kennedy Greenway on October 20. There will be lots of fun family activities, bookmaking, book signings, live music, and all the artwork will be on display. I hope to see lots of people there!

Even if you aren't anywhere near Boston, you can still take part in the online auction, which kicks off on October 10.

Please spread the word!

Amazing Day at Fenway!

Thanks to the Massachusetts Teachers Association, I had an amazing day at Fenway Park on Saturday. I've been involved with the MTA's Red Sox Reading Game for several years. As a thank you, they honored me as a "Most Valuable Educator" during a pregame on-field ceremony. It's an honor I don't think I really deserve, but I wasn't about to turn it down!

After the pregame ceremony and a brief rain delay, my whole family got to enjoy the game from the grandstand right behind home plate. Even though the Sox came up a bit short with their late rally and lost 3-2, it really was a magical day. My kids even lasted all nine innings!

The Fenway photographer is going to send us some pictures of the ceremony. But for now, here are a few we got:

My daughter was so excited to be standing on the field at Fenway, she even took a picture of the dirt.

And so did I.

My name up on the screen, during the ceremony

!!!

The view from our seats. Pretty awesome.

Thank you, Massachusetts Teachers Association!

Fenway Park Photo Shoot

The Massachusetts Teachers Association asked me to do a photo shoot at Fenway Park on Saturday, to promote their 2013 Red Sox Reading Game. I said yes, because it's an awesome program that promotes literacy at every school in Massachusetts- and because any time anyone invites me to Fenway, I'm there! It's pretty amazing to be inside the park when almost nobody is there.

Renowned photographer Rick Friedman was kind enough to shoot a few author photos for me after the MTA shoot was done.  I'll post those once I have them, and I'll post details about the Red Sox Reading Game once it's up and running. For now, here are a few snapshots from the photo shoot...

And there was this cool moment- I heard them rehearsing Jackie Bradley Jr.'s first-ever Fenway Park introduction. I'm sure this moment will get some loud applause this afternoon:

Happy Opening Day! Play ball!

Here's the cover of my next book...

Becoming Babe Ruth, published by Candlewick Press, due out on February 12, 2013

Happy 100th Birthday Fenway Park!

To celebrate the 100th birthday of Fenway Park, I'm giving away a copy of There Goes Ted Williams, with an original pen drawing of Fenway inside (which I just drew a few minutes ago). Here it is:

To enter, just leave a comment on this post. Feel fee to share a Fenway memory if you want.

I'm also posting the giveaway on Twitter, so if you're on Twitter, please help me out and retweet it! Thanks.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

There Goes Ted Williams in the Washington Post!

I always love Opening Day, and this year it was even more fun than usual, because with it came a flurry of new reviews of There Goes Ted Williams- including great reviews in The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, and The New York Times!

Here are some snippets from some recent newspaper reviews:

"Exhilarating... Tavares’s full-bleed spreads alternate with sepia-toned spot drawings, all beautifully arranged in this old-fashioned but evergreen tribute."
-The New York Times

"Kids will especially like that this wonderful picture book spends a lot of time talking about the childhood of the famous Boston Red Sox slugger.... an exciting and inspiring story."
-The Washington Post

"Tavares writes “There Goes Ted Williams’’ like a jazzy poem. There is musicality in every line, and in every full-color painting. The nostalgia of the paintings plays beautifully against the straight-up clarity of the prose."
-The Boston Globe

And a few new blog reviews...

"Matt Tavares’s present-tense narrative lends drama and immediacy to the all-smiles-and-heroics biography, and the watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations depict Williams as large as a double-page spread can hold."
-The Horn Book, "Opening Day" feature

"From the super talented author-illustrator of four other equally spectacular baseball-related picture books... comes the story of lanky Ted Williams... The figure he portrays in this gorgeously illustrated picture book is that of an American hero."
-Letter Blocks: The Barnes and Noble Parents & Educators Blog

"This is a stirring book about Ted Williams, but also about what makes baseball so great.  I love it! It's a home run."
-Shelf-Employed

"In There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, author/illustrator, Matt Tavares captures the passion, dedication, and magic that was Williams."
-Kid Lit Frenzy

Thanks newspapers and bloggers!

There Goes Ted Williams Art Exhibit Opens Thursday

Just spreading the word about this exhibit I'm really excited about.  If you're anywhere near Winchester, Massachusetts, I hope you can join me at the opening on April 12! Here are the details...

THERE GOES TED WILLIAMS: ARTHUR GRIFFIN AND MATT TAVARES

 

Ted Williams, photographed by Arthur Griffin during his rookie season, 1939

THERE GOES TED WILLIAMS: ARTHUR GRIFFIN AND MATT TAVARES

Opening reception: Thursday, April 12, 7:00-8:30pm
The Griffin Museum of Photography, in Winchester, Mass
Exhibit runs April 5 through May 27, 2012

An exhibit of Matt Tavares's original artwork from his picture book, There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, alongside Arthur Griffin's historic 1939 photographs of Ted Williams, taken during his rookie season with the Red Sox- the first color photographs ever taken of Ted Williams.

Matt Tavares gives a members talk on There Goes Ted Williams on April 12 at 6:15 PM, before the public opening. He also gives a gallery talk and book signing  at the Griffin Museum on April 22 at 3 PM.  

Book Ends of Winchester will be handling book sales at both events.

illustration from There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, by Matt Tavares

 If you're interested, here's a longer post about how this exhibit came to be.

Fenway Memories: Jason Varitek, Literacy Champion

With Red Sox captain Jason Varitek announcing his retirement last week, I thought I'd post a few pictures of another one of my favorite Fenway memories, the time I got to meet Varitek before a game at Fenway when we were both involved with the Massachusetts Teachers Association's Red Sox Reading Game.

If you're not familiar with the MTA Red Sox Reading Game... kids in grades K-8 in Massachusetts can enter by reading nine books (one for each position on the baseball field), and they can win some great prizes, like autographed baseballs and tickets to a Red Sox game.

In 2005, the MTA promoted the Red Sox Reading Game with posters and bookmarks that featured Jason Varitek reading my book, Zachary's Ball. My role in the program basically involved me going to two Red Sox games for free (it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it...). I did a book signing at Fenway as part of their kickoff event in April, where I got to meet Jason Varitek, who spoke for a few minutes about the importance of reading. Then I did another signing at a game at Fenway in August, on the night when all the kids who won tickets got to go to the game. Of course, I'm happy to be involved with any program that encourages reading and literacy... but the Red Sox tickets are a nice perk!

And here's some exciting news- this year, the MTA Red Sox Reading Game posters will feature Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez reading my new book, There Goes Ted Williams! I'm thrilled and honored to be involved with this excellent program again.

(If you missed it, I wrote a post a few months ago about the year Derek Lowe was the spokesman, called The Derek Lowe Poster Incident.)

Jason Varitek reading Zachary's Ball

A thank you gift I received from the nice folks at the Massachusetts Teachers Association- the copy of Zachary's Ball used in the photo shoot, signed on the cover by Jason Varitek! It says "To Matt, Jason Varitek, #33, 2004 World Champs!" So cool!

As a thank you gift to Jason Varitek, the Massachusetts Teachers Association presented him with a print of one of my illustrations from Zachary's Ball, during a pregame ceremony at Fenway.

OPENING DAY! with Chris Van Dusen and Matt Tavares

For anyone who happens to be in southern Maine...

Please join me and my friend, the amazing Chris Van Dusen (illustrator of the Mercy Watson books, author-illustrator of The Circus Ship), at Kennebooks in Kennebunk, Maine on February 25, as we celebrate the release of our brand new baseball books, which happen to come out the same day.

Here are the details:

OPENING DAY! A Book Launch Celebration with Chris Van Dusen and Matt Tavares
10:30 AM on Saturday, February 25 at Kennebooks in Kennebunk, Maine
We'll read our new books, answer questions, and sign books. There will be ballpark food and plenty of fun baseball-themed stuff for everyone to do. Come dressed for the ballgame, in your favorite Red Sox gear (or Yankee gear, if you must). It should be a lot of fun.

Chris and I will be doing a mini-tour of some of our favorite independent bookstores around Maine and New Hampshire. So if you can't make it to this one, maybe we'll see you at one of the other events!

For a full list of all my upcoming events, please visit the events page on my website.

New Stars for Young Stars, recap

On Saturday I was honored to be involved with an amazing event at Jillian's in Boston, called "New Stars for Young Stars", where kids from The Jimmy Fund Clinic got a chance to meet up-and-coming Red Sox players, as well as the new Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine, starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and the one and only Pedro Martinez.

First there was a private gathering where about 50 kids from the Jimmy Fund Clinic and their families got to meet the players. Then there was a public event, which was packed. I signed books at both events. Candlewick Press kindly donated all the books, so every family from the Jimmy Fund Clinic got an advance copy of There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived, and everyone attending the public event got a paperback copy of the new Fenway Centennial Edition of Zachary's Ball.

It was great to see so many people coming together for such a good cause. And it was amazing to see how much joy it brought to the kids and their parents, especially considering what they're all going through.

Here are a few pictures:

Before the guests arrived we got to meet the new Red Sox manager, Bobby Valentine. He signed baseballs for my girls.

On the car ride down, the girls practiced saying "Saltalamacchia". It came in handy when they got to meet him!

Pedro arriving, greeting a young fan

My daughters were playing at a pool table, when Pedro Martinez came up to them and said "Can I play too?" They just stared at him as I fumbled for my camera. This picture is a few seconds later. Pedro is sitting down to sign autographs.

The players were lined up for a group photo, and Bobby Valentine started barking out situations, like, "Alright, two out, man on second..."

Me and Pedro! (you can see my 4yo daughter dancing in the background)

Then we headed out to the main room for the public event, where there were LOTS of people.

me signing Zachary's Ball

the front page of the Boston Globe from the day the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, signed by Pedro Martinez! I already framed it.

Come Meet Pedro Martinez and Support The Jimmy Fund!

Spring Training is still a couple months away, but you can get your Red Sox fix at an amazing event taking place at Jillian's in Boston on Saturday, January 14, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. It's an autograph-signing event called "New Stars for Young Stars", a unique chance to meet up-and-coming Red Sox players, as well as their new manager, Bobby Valentine, starting catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and the Greatest Pitcher in Red Sox History... Pedro Martinez!

Oh, I'll be there too, signing There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and Zachary's Ball. But who cares! Pedro Martinez will be there! PEDRO MARTINEZ!!

Ted Williams was involved with The Jimmy Fund from the very beginning, and he was the single most influential person in helping to raise money for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. So I'm thrilled for my very first book signing for There Goes Ted Williams to be a fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund. The book doesn't actually come out until February 14, but Candlewick Press is donating advance copies so all the kids from The Jimmy Fund Clinic will get a free signed copy of my book.

Tickets start at $150 and VIP tickets are $250. All proceeds from the 2012 event will benefit The Jimmy Fund, and Pedro Martinez and Brothers Foundation.

Visit the Jimmy Fund website to order tickets.