TIMOTHY TOCHER
Author
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Listed in Who's Who Among American Teachers (2005), Tocher has published poems, short stories, novels, and non fiction for children and teens.
A frequent contributor to Cricket Magazine, his story, Sgt. Monday of the Enchanted Kingdom Police won the 2002 Magazine Merit Award for Fiction.
The novel, Chief Sunrise, John McGraw, and Me, was named a 2005 Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association.
The sequel, Bill Pennant, Babe Ruth, and Me, earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.
Each of these
books was the subject of a special presentation at the Baseball Hall of Fame in
Cooperstown, NY. His latest book, Odd Ball: Hilarious,
Unusual, and Bizarre Baseball Moments, revisits some of the wackiest
events in baseball history.
by Timothy Tocher (Author)
Stacy Curtis (illustrator)
Reading level:
Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 64 pages Publisher: Marshall Cavendish
Corp/Ccb (February 1, 2011)
ISBN-10:
Editorial Reviews
Bizarre barely covers some of the wacky incidents Tocher gathers from baseball history. A trainer inserted a severed ear into "Sweet Lou " Johnson's abdomen after a bus accident (for temporary safekeeping), and it was never removed. Mets outfielder Joe Christopher was able to move his cap around by wiggling his ears. Ineffective Giants hurler Cliff Melton tipped off batters to his pitches during his delivery because his ears were so big they blocked out the stands behind his head. And that's just "All Ears," the first of nine thematic "Innings," each presented as a set of simply drawn cartoon panels threaded with terse commentary and the occasional punchline. Though a little knowledge of the game will make it easier to appreciate some of these feats and mishaps, even nonfans will wince at the account of a fan who was hit by a foul ball twice during the same at-bat, marvel at the achievements of one-handed pitcher Jim Abbott and laugh at the generally futile attempts to catch balls (or in one messy case, a grapefruit) dropped from the top of the Washington Monument, a passing stunt plane and other high points. An easy pitch, particularly to reluctant or inexpert readers. --Kirkus Reviews
Few sports feature as many goofy moments as baseball. Some of the sport's zaniest stories are retold here in cartoon art and comic-book-style panels that emphasize the silliness. Organized broadly into nine innings, the sketches feature some offbeat, some obscure, and some bizarre yarns that are closer to legend than fact. There's a story about the player who left the game to wrestle alligators, and another, about a catcher whose nose was so long, it fit through his mask. There are chapters about equipment, four-legged fans, and even a chapter on how players' ears have affected the game. Despite the table of contents and appended list of "Odd Facts about the Players," only one source is cited. . . . intended to lure browsers and reluctant readers, this will also be a tasty snack for baseball fans. . . Booklist, April 15, 2011
. . . . pure fun...public and school libraries filled with baseball fans will find many readers for this collection of unbelievable moments. --Children's Literature
Bank Street College named Odd Ball: Hilarious, Unusual, and Bizarre Baseball Moments to its 2012 list of Best Nonfiction Books for Children ages 9 - 12.
Bill Pennant, Babe Ruth, and Me
by Timothy Tocher Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 184 pages Publisher: Cricket Books (April 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0812627555
ISBN-13: 978-0812627558
At the start of the 1920 baseball season, 16-year-old Hank Cobb is assigned to train the New York Giants new mascot, a Mexican wildcat named Bill Pennant. Bills not too trainable, though, even with the help of sardines and mice. And if Hank cant handle a cat, how can he handle his next charge, an undisciplined slugger for the Yankees named Babe Ruth? Ruths manager asks Hank to keep an eye on Ruth, and since both teams play at the same stadium, its doable. But is it wise? A disastrous road trip to Coney Island lands both Babe and Hank in hot water with their respective managers. Hank, whos fallen under Babes spell, walks out on the Giants, determined to ditch school and become a big-league ballplayer. But another, far more serious incident, causes Hank to rethink his priorities. Evocative descriptions of the sights, sounds, and personalities of baseballs heyday add to this exciting story about loyalty, responsibility, and the rules of the game both on and off the field.
Praise for Bill Pennant, Babe Ruth, and Me
Starred review from Kirkus Reviews
Seamlessly blends fact and fiction. . . . Ruth, McGraw and the other historical figures come alive for readers, and the fictional Hank is a sympathetic, fully developed character whose thoughts and choices are completely in sync with his time and place.
You can smell the locker room and see Babe Ruths wildcat 1920s from here in Timothy Tochers Bill Pennant, Babe Ruth, and Me.
This is heart-speeding history at its best, moving at the pace of a Locomobile. Richard Peck,
Newbery Award winning author of "A Year Down Yonder".
I couldn't put this wonderful book down, cause every time I did, one of my twin sons would
grab it and start reading. We all love baseball, and we all loved this tale.
Alan Katz, author of
Going Going Gone! And Other Silly Dilly Sports Songs
Chief Sunrise, John McGraw, and Me
ISBN-10: 0812627113 ISBN-13: 978-0812627114
Chief Sunrise, John McGraw, and Me was named a 2005 Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association.
Finalist for the Golden Sower & Great Stone Face Awards
A Bulletin of The Center for Children's Books "Book of Distinction"
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
I
From Booklist The story is both entertaining and thought-provoking... the likable protagonist relates the tale, incorporating abundant baseball detail.
KIRKUS Reviews, April 15, 2004 Tocher deftly mixes facts with fiction to create a well-constructed tale with strong characters...Engaging and engrossing.
ISBN-10: 0689843313 ISBN-13: 978-0689843310
When 11-year-old Laurie Bird Preston learns her dad accepted a new job in another town, she's disappointed and angry. Not only will Laurie be leaving her best friend, Christy, and her position on the basketball team, but she'll also have to make new friends in a new school and play for a new asketball team. (Ages 7-13)
Playing For Pride
by Timothy Tocher (Author)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 120 pages Publisher: Meadowbrook
(September 1, 2002)
ISBN-10: 0689024533 ISBN-13: 978-0689024535
The second book in Timothy Tocher's series of sports books for girls
ages 6-12.
Like the Broadway Ballplayer series, this compelling series deals with sports action on the field and emotional issues off the field. Fifth-grader Laurie Bird Preston is no softball player--basketball is her sport. But with practice, patience--and help from Li, Howard, and an eccentric old woman with a mysterious past--she just might overcome her obstacles.
Timothys short stories and poetry have appeared in dozens of books and magazines. His sports themed novels are popular with boys and girls. Thirty years experience in elementary school classrooms make him a natural at bringing out the hidden writing talent in your students. Teachers and children find new excitement in the ELA curriculum after a visit from Timothy. Choose a half-day or full-day program (up to 4 presentations) that includes any of the following:
Presentation Comments Timothy Tocher Website
http://sites.google.com/site/tochertales/
Interactive Poetry
Parodies
All Sports
Historical Fiction
Researching/Writing Nonfiction
PROFESSIONAL FEES
Negotiable rates
"Timothy's workshops are instructional, entertaining, and age appropriate." —Barbara Geoghan, principal, George Grant Mason Elementary School, Tuxedo Park, NY "The school is still buzzing with excitement. Timothy's style is comfortable and down to earth. He immediately made a real connection with our kids, engaging them from start to finish in his interactive program. Everyone got to be a confident writer the day Tim Tocher visited our school." —Sara Medelius, PTA, Ridgeway Elementary, White Plains, NY "Wonderful workshop, delightful day." —Jeanine Saal, PTA, Alpine School, Alpine, NJ "Your presentation was interesting and informative. Everyone loved it!" —Susan Babcock, children's librarian, Tuxedo Park Library, Tuxedo Park, NY "Terrific job, Tim! Kids loved doing readers' theater and creating their own stories." —Debbie Dunne, third-grade teacher, Tisdale Elementary, Ramsey, NJ "I have never seen an audience react as they do to Tim Tocher. Young and old, children and adults, sit spellbound as they listen to Tim tell his stories. A natural raconteur, Tim magically transforms an auditorium into a warm fireside chat, making you feel that you have known him all your life. An educator at heart, Tim has the gift of finding humor from the school-day routine and makes all of us happy that we are a part of this special world." —Jan Hammond, EdD, chair of Dept. of Educational Administration and assoc. prof., State University of New York "Through the humor of his stories, Tim Tocher is able to captivate both the avid and reluctant readers and writers. The students will be reading, rereading, reciting his stories, and even writing their own stories for months." —Diana Musich, asst. principal, Monroe Woodbury Central Schools "Tim Tocher has a way of engaging students with his clever, humorous, and kid-friendly stories. He makes children giggle as he sparks their interest and makes reading fun. Tim truly inspires children!" —Marianne Vandemark, teacher, Monroe Woodbury Middle School
Email:
mailto:to2im@aol.com
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03/03/13 date last edited