Book Review of Catch
The Children’s Book Review
Catch
Written by D.C Swanson
Illustrated by Clint Hansen
Ages: All Ages | 24 Pages
Publisher: Black Rose Writing (20256 | ISBN-13: 9781685137366
What to Expect: Rhyming verse, Baseball, Intergenerational, Parental Love, Loss, and Legacy.
Catch is an exceptionally crafted picture book told entirely in rhyming verse that delivers a powerful emotional punch.
The story follows a father and son’s ritual of playing catch in the park after work—a simple tradition that began in the son’s Little League years. As life intervenes—smartphones, homework, part-time jobs, dating, college, and eventually building his own family—the son repeatedly postpones their games with various excuses. Each time, the father responds with the patient refrain: “For you, I’ll wait.” The narrative comes full circle when the father falls ill, leading to a tender reconciliation and the passing of the tradition to the next generation.
Author D.C. Swanson writes in a rhyming scheme that is remarkably consistent and natural throughout, never feeling forced or sacrificing meaning for the sake of meter. Lines like “He’d roll the sleeves up on his shirt / and hit some grounders in the dirt” demonstrate technical precision while maintaining conversational warmth.
While ostensibly a children’s book, Catch tackles complex themes—the passage of time, parental sacrifice, regret, mortality, and generational legacy—with remarkable nuance. The father’s unconditional acceptance (“it doesn’t take a ball and glove / for kids to win their father’s love”) teaches children about love without conditions while prompting adult readers to reflect on their own relationships. Though the resolution provides appropriate comfort and hope, the emotional climax involving the father’s serious illness may require careful navigation with very young children.
Clint Hansen’s impeccable scratchboard illustrations possess a distinctive woodblock print aesthetic that perfectly complements the narrative’s timeless, nostalgic quality. The composition of each spread balances intimate character moments with expansive park settings, allowing space for emotional resonance. Red baseball laces frame the text on every page, which is both thematically appropriate and visually striking.
With poetic prose that respects both child and adult readers, Catch succeeds as a meditation on time and love that will resonate across generations. The craftsmanship in the verse, combined with the universal themes and emotional authenticity, makes it a standout that deserves to become a family favorite passed down like the mitt in its pages. Just as classics like Love You Forever by Robert Munsch move readers of all ages, so too does Catch.
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About the Author
Born in Vermont and raised in Virginia, Dan (D.C.) Swanson grew up in a baseball family but realized early on that he was better with books than with bats. He worked for nearly two decades as a government attorney before publishing his first children’s book, which he had written with the help of his two daughters. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife, his daughters, his puppy, and a couple of crowded bookshelves.
For more information, visit dcswanson.com.
About the Illustrator
Clint Hansen of Iowa is a fifth-generation artist and likes to say his native language is drawing, as he was communicating with crayons before he could speak. His award-winning art is represented in private, public, and corporate collections.
For more information, visit www.clinthansen.com.
