Manny Loves Baseball: Inspirational Baseball Story for Young Readers

Share book on

Manny Loves Baseball: Inspirational Baseball Story for Young Readers

by Mr. Luna

4.6 stars

Summary

Manny is a talented Dominican boy who dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. Even though his family is extremely poor, he plays every game with passion. Will Manny achieve his dreams?

Fiction

From our reviewers

June 21, 2026

Kids love to play, and as for Manny, it’s that baseball game that he used to play even until his adulthood. Manny Loves Baseball is a children’s book written by Mr. Luna that tells a story about a child who loves baseball. In a country where baseball is life, there is a young boy named Manny. Since it’s a struggling country, children make use of recycled materials for their ball and baseball bat. One day, a good friend visits from the US. What could be the good friend’s intentions? Manny Loves Baseball is sweet and inspirational. The adorable character of Manny will be loved by children for sure. His life story teaches the kids about perseverance, resourcefulness, discipline, ambitions, victory and giving back. It also stirs childhood memories and teaches to value friendships. These are all invaluable themes for kids thru sports, recreational activities or creative pursuits that can encourage them more. The illustrations are cute and easily understood. It is one of the best children’s book having interesting, inspiring and compelling character and real life story. I give then a five-star rate for the remarks mentioned above. Hence, I recommend reading to kids on ages not yet able to read and kids still learning to read that includes practice reading.

by Karen Gurtiza
June 12, 2026

The book tells the childhood story of a famous baseball player from the Dominican Republic. Interestingly, the illustration and the typeface seem like a work of a child and that makes the book quite engaging. I love how the “shoe polishing” is not demonstrated with images but the required trade-tools and money earned are symbolized. The story-ending offers an inspiring success story and subtle lessons of consistent hard work and humility. That is particularly enthralling. However, this famous player has many stories of struggle like the “mango tree” and “lime & paper baseball”. Using those as examples in the book could signal a “never give up” attitude to the young readers. It seems the book primarily targets the young sports fans of 6-10 years old. In that case, the used color palette, word and sentence formatting are appropriate. For example, the book has used large fonts, simple words and short sentences. Moreover, the words are either in dark color on a light background or vice versa. This formatting theme is consistent until the end and demonstrates a balance in warm and cool tones. Also, the spacing is persistently generous between words for easy readability. However, some pages have only vibrant images. Absence of words on those pages create a textual cue gap that may confuse the young readers. The conversation between Manny and the man “in a nice suit” would be more engaging if dialogue balloons were used. Overall, plot engagement is high. However, some childhood struggle stories would have added a cozy, personal touch.

by Sudipta Nandi
May 5, 2026

This is an incredibly heart-warming story of inspiration that will resonate with children from different backgrounds. In an age appropriate way it teaches the reader to reach for their dreams no matter what. It also explores resilience, hard work and the benefits that can be derived from them. Manny’s story isn’t just about a little boy’s love of baseball, It’s about showing what can be achieved when you put to your mind to it. Although it discusses Manny’s childhood in the Dominican Republic, it could easily speak to a child anywhere in the world. This encouraging story will be enjoyed just the same by a child who loves horses or to dance or wants to reach for anything that seems like a pipe dream. Anyone can take something from this story. One thing I love about reading stories to the children in my life is being able to stir their imagination and nothing does that more than showing them that possibilities are endless. Coupled with some cute illustrations and accessible language for a young reader it is highly recommended addition to the bedtime stories.

by Vivika Widow
May 29, 2025

"Manny Loves Baseball," written by Mr. Luna and beautifully illustrated by Dananja Subasinghe, is a heartwarming and inspiring tale that celebrates the power of dreams, perseverance, and the unwavering spirit of a young boy. The story centers on Manny, a talented Dominican boy whose life revolves around baseball. Despite growing up in extreme poverty, Manny's passion for the sport burns brightly. He dreams of one day becoming a professional baseball player, and his dedication is evident in every game he plays. The narrative highlights his resourcefulness, as he uses a broomstick for a bat, a bottle cap for a ball, and a milk carton for a glove, demonstrating that true passion transcends material limitations. The book further explores Manny's determination as he takes on odd jobs, like shining shoes, to earn money for proper equipment. His efforts are eventually rewarded, not just through his hard work, but also through the kindness of a charity organization that donates clothes, cleats, and uniforms to his family. One of the most compelling aspects of "Manny Loves Baseball" is its exploration of universal themes. It's a powerful narrative about overcoming adversity, the importance of family support, and the idea that with enough dedication, even the biggest dreams can be within reach. The book beautifully captures the essence of "baseball is life, and life is baseball" in the Dominican Republic, offering a glimpse into a culture where the sport is deeply ingrained. Dananja Subasinghe's illustrations are a significant asset to the book. They are vibrant and expressive, bringing Manny's world and his emotions to life. The visual storytelling complements Mr. Luna's narrative perfectly, making the journey even more engaging for young readers. This book is ideal for juvenile readers, particularly those who love sports or need a dose of inspiration. It delivers a positive and uplifting message about hard work, gratitude, and the joy of pursuing one's passions, regardless of circumstances. "Manny Loves Baseball" is a touching and memorable read that will resonate with children and adults alike, reminding us that dreams, fueled by passion and perseverance, can indeed come true.

by Vinnakota Krishna
April 12, 2025

I had tears in my eyes while reading this. Truly wonderful book and an inspirational story all wrapped in one. In my opinion more kids should read books like this because many kids have no idea what its like to go without. A lot of adults dont either. It shows the importance of hard work and making do with what you have. Manny was so happy to make do with what he had to play with. But he decided that he wanted a real bat and ball and he worked hard for it. I would love to read more books by this author. The illustrations are simple and so is the story. But so much love and emotion is packed into the 40 or so pages that it stays with you long after you have finished. This book should be available in libraries and read in classrooms. It shows that, no matter how big your dreams are, you can achieve them if you only work hard and do your best Thank you for allowing me to read and review your book. I look forward to reading more of your work. Keep at it. You are a great storyteller and have a way with words. Thank you once again.

by Sharon Hendricks
April 2, 2025

Truly inspirational story. Manny Mota has a dream as a young boy. He loves playing baseball with items found around the house. who would have a thought, a broom handle, and a bottle cap. Quite creative. Then, someone in the USA heard he needed some equipment to play. A package arrives. What a lucky young man. Now he could play like other boys in the USA. Unbeknownst, a scouter comes and offers him a chance to play in the USA. The scouter offers him an opportunity to make his dreams come true. Manny Mota had the love of baseball in him. It just took one person to see that. Mota played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He returned home to show his appreciation to his parents for this opportunity. I love that this book encourages children to follow their dreams. Never forget where you came from. Always be grateful to your parents for the opportunity.

by Michelle Kssili
March 27, 2025

Manny Loves Baseball intends to inspire, and this is achieved by following a boy living in the Dominican Republic, where baseball is life and life is baseball. Yes, Manny loves baseball and hopes to even be great at it. However, circumstances hinder him; for instance, he comes from a poor family. He can't even afford to have his ball. This forces him to do all he can to realize his dream, and soon enough his talent is recognized. In summary, this book demonstrates the community's influence on our young ones and the benefits of doing what we love the most, and above all, it highlights the importance of supporting the young ones. Mr. Luna writes for the intended audience, doing so with a clarity that together with the colorful illustrations makes the book an interesting read. The protagonist, Manny, is one to admire and follow as he strives to realize his dream. In him, the readers will see a boy who defies the clutches of poverty, finding an idea and going through with it, remaining optimistic throughout. In him, the readers will find an inspiring story. what's more, help is always on the way, as demonstrated by the turning point in Manny's life when he meets a serious man dressed in a nice suit. Overall, Manny Loves Baseball perfectly suits young readers.

by Emily Dacho
March 26, 2025

Manny loves Baseball is a great and inspirational children's book. It is a must-read for young minds, It uses the life of a real life sports legend to illustrate the importance of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The story showcase how individuals with natural talent who also put in the effort to hone their skills will achieve success with consistent practice and determination. The message is empowering, encouraging children to dream big and pursue their dreams, regardless of their circumstances especially their socioeconomic background. It promotes a growth mindset for young readers emphasizing, on the importance of hard-work and it shields them from the uncertainties and disappointments that life may bring. The vocabulary might be challenging for young readers to understand without help however, it is an excellent resource for them to practice their reading skills and become familiar with complex words. Those learning English can also use it, as it provides an engaging and motivational story to practice their language skills. An excellent tool for parents, guardians, and teachers to read aloud to their children. This shared reading experience can help to build bonds. I highly recommend this book as a bedtime story or a classroom read-aloud session. It will likely spark interesting discussions and encourage children to ask questions, fostering a love for learning and exploration. Kudos to the authors for such an inspiring book.

by Oluwadara Adebiyi

Search Our Book Library

Processing...