Book Summary
A window left open leads to a night of adventure for a colony of bats in the library. The older bats have done this before, but for the younger bats this is a night off new experiences and have no idea what is in store for them. The older bats return to their old exciting tasks such as eating snacks, rereading books, or hanging out by a lamp. The bats learn that the books they read are an even bigger adventure than they library itself.
APA Reference of Book
Lies, B. (2008). Bats at the library. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Impression
I found this book to be whimsical and show how exciting and much adventure can be held in a forbidden place, such as a closed library. The illustrations and poetic verse make this book even more exciting for the reader and drew me into the story far more than the plot itself. This book would be an exciting read aloud and expose children to books in verse with playful language. It also shows how books can take you away to a new world and have new adventures within those pages. My favorite part of the book is the four page illustration spread that showed famous books characterized by the bats in the story. I also absolutely loved the metaphor of this special night as a book feast.
Professional Review
A magical adventure as a family of bats takes over a library during the night. They explore, they read, they learn and they play until it is time to leave. The reader, as well as the bats, enter a world full of wonder and imagination in this series of double page landscape spreads. The text of the current book is in rhyming couplets but best of all is the vibrancy of activity. The book is full of humour moving within the light and shade of the acrylic artwork. The overhead projector makes a perfect setting for shadow games and the water fountain is ideal for swimming. Lies is not yet known in Australia but should be with his joyful tales of these furry little creatures with almost human expressions. Send to the USA for your copy. Age: Up to 10 years but adults will also love this warm frolic.
(a) An outstanding book of its kind as recommended the reviewer
Library Uses
Working in a school in central Texas, bats are a high interest subject and part of the local flair. This book would be a wonderful addition to a "Bat Fest" or similar community activity involving the Congress Avenue Bridge bats. It would be a great way to bridge a community festival and the school or public library. Possible uses could include a display, special story time, or reader's theater involving students.
