Burke offers an atmospheric rendition of the old baseball chestnut. To crisply drawn, exactly detailed scenes of rabid young fan Katie Casey (the song’s actual subject) in period dress and surroundings, he not only pairs all of the lyrics, but a tribute to New York Giants superstar pitcher Christy Mathewson too—with particular reference to a renowned 1908 playoff game against the archrival Chicago Cubs. He also weaves in plenty of baseball lore, from Mathewson’s grips for various pitches to the origins of Cracker Jacks and the term “hot dog.” Gilded further with a musical arrangement, a source list and even a reproduction of the song’s original manuscript, this hits a line drive straight into baseball’s storied past. Put it next to the umpteen illustrated versions of “Casey at the Bat.” (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9)
