A young girl and her dad become devoted fans of the Cincinnati Reds and of player Wally Post in the late 1950’s. When their prized, autographed baseball finds its way into the girl’s neighborhood ball game in Ohio, a problem develops. The story Thousand Dollar Baseball, as recalled by the now-grownup girl, author Judy Bruns, is told with tender, rhyming humor that reveals a child’s love of the game. In addition, the book relives the nature of neighborhood friendships in a 1950’s kind of way. Illustrator Kathy Ayers’ exquisite drawings make it easy to understand why she was awarded the title 2014 State of Indiana Art Teacher of the Year.