Baseball for Breakfast by Judy Campbell-Smith

We are thrilled to have Judy Campbell-Smith on the blog today where she talks about her picture book, Baseball for Breakfast: A (Mostly) True Story, illustrated by Maggie Carroll.

KLiC: What was your inspiration for Baseball for Breakfast?

JCS: For this book, I was inspired by learning about the true story of Bill Veeck and the Milwaukee Brewers’ morning baseball games during World War II. I am a lifelong baseball fan, and I had been hoping to find an interesting slice of baseball history to bring to life in a picture book. Bill Veeck was such a colorful character in real life, and I could immediately imagine the potential layers and connections of the fun baseball games set against the historical backdrop of war. 

KLiC: What kind of research did you do for Baseball for Breakfast?
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JCS: I started off researching books about Bill Veeck and looking for some details about the morning baseball games. I was able to find even more information from historical records and newspapers. I was thrilled to find a website dedicated to history of Borchert Field, the stadium that the Brewers played in during the time period that my story is set. They had wonderful old photos from the 40’s, vintage paraphernalia, signage, and newspaper clippings. Then I looked at gathering information about what life was like in Milwaukee during World War II, especially for children. All of these resources gave me a good foundation of facts to support my fictional characters. 
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KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book?

JCS: It’s so hard to choose a favorite because Maggie Carroll has done such beautiful work. I fell in love with her art which feels vintage-inspired, but still fresh and energetic. If I have to choose a favorite spread, it’s the one that shows Pa in his naval uniform and Ma in the classic “Rosie the Riveter” outfit. They are surrounded by spot illustrations that show men going off to war and women working in the factory. I felt like Maggie’s approach was the perfect way to support the storytelling as it zoomed out from Jimmy’s family and showed what was happening in the wider world at the time.  
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KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book?

JCS: I hope children see that when times are tough, the way to get through it is by finding joy and becoming a helper. The book shows that there are many ways to help, and even small things can make a difference. You might not be able to reschedule a baseball game, but you can make someone laugh or share your cereal. These things matter too.

KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors?
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JCS: Keep writing the stories that excite you and bring you joy. That is what will keep you going when the work is tough and the no’s pile up. But if you keep going, good things will come eventually. 

Judy Campbell-Smith writes picture books that spark curiosity and celebrate diversity. Judy is Black and Puerto Rican, and she’s always trying to write books that she wished she had as a child. She is the author of AJ’s Neighborhood, Ice Cream Everywhere: Sweet Stories from Around the World, and Baseball for Breakfast: A (Mostly) True Story. Judy works for Made for PAX, a non-profit organization, and is very active in the kidlit community. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two children.