The Great Ball Game

Reach for this book when your child feels stuck between two worlds or feels they don't fit into the typical 'boxes' of school or social groups. This retelling of a Muskogee (Creek) legend follows Bat, an animal with both wings and teeth, who is rejected by both the Birds and the Animals during a high-stakes stickball game. When the Birds finally accept him out of pity, Bat's unique physical traits become the very reason they win the game. At its heart, this is a story about identity and finding strength in being different. It introduces children to indigenous storytelling traditions while tackling universal themes of exclusion and belonging. It is perfect for children aged 4 to 8 who are navigating group dynamics for the first time, teaching them that having a foot in two different worlds is a superpower rather than a weakness.