This was a brand-new baseball season, and the Champs were ready to go in their spiffy clean uniforms. Nevermind that the previous year they finished last in the North American Mammal League, this season would be different. But when a Wombat wanders onto the field opening game day, the Champs have no idea just how different the game was about to become. Young readers and listeners are sure to delight in Helen Lester's hilarious baseball lingo wordplay as Lynn Munsinger's illustrations capture the befuddled Wombat and his earnest attempts to fit in and play ball. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

PreS-Gr 2-Once again, Lester and Munsinger tell a comical story, this time about a wombat who is recruited to play baseball in the North American Wildlife League. The Champs, who finished in last place during the previous season, eagerly embrace Wombat, a rugby star from Australia, whose name they mistake as "Whambat." However, the newcomer has difficulty getting a grip on the game, and readers will howl at his literal interpretations of baseball lingo. When the Champs play a team of raccoons, frazzled Wombat becomes a liability for his team. That is, until the sky darkens and a tornado rapidly approaches, leaving the players exposed on the field until Wombat digs a tunnel where everyone takes refuge. Lester's story will hold children's attention and sends the message that everyone is good at something. Munsinger's whimsical watercolor artwork, filled with personified animals, adds to the fun. Young baseball fans will welcome this zany book.-Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Richfield, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Last year the interspecies team, the Champs, finished last in the National Wildlife league, so when a huge wombat wanders on the field, the teammates are delighted--they think he's a superhitting Whambat. Wombat, who is from Australia, has his own linguistic misconceptions: he envisions a ceramic pitcher on the mound. But once the teams take the field, Wombat's woeful inabilities with baseball and with the lingo are evident: the rival team is thrilled that he's catching flies with a swatter. Wombat is frazzled, exhausted, and very sad, and so are his teammates. Redemption comes in the form of a tornado. Wombat's one skill is digging tunnels, and before the twister lands, he has burrowed a dugout that keeps the players safe and sound. This amusing piece of sports-themed wordplay is another brick in Lester and Munsinger's strong, sturdy collaboration. Big ol' Wombat's comeback will hearten kids whose sports skills may not be up to par, and everyone will have lots of laughs. --Ilene Cooper Copyright 2006 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.