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Bats at the Beach (by Brian Lies)

common sense media says

Delightful bats' night out for pre-K and up.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's nothing to be concerned about here, other than some mildly creepy pictures of insect snacks, such as a marshmallow with insect legs and wings.

Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
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More on Bats at the Beach

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the ways that the bats' night at the beach is similar to and different from a human day at the beach. What are the bats having at the snack bar? What jokes can you find in the pictures? What is "Bain de Lune?" Does the book make you want to have a day -- or night -- at the beach?

What's the story?

What's the story?
On a night when "the rising moon can grow no fatter," bats head out to the beach carrying toys, picnic baskets, and blankets. Through rhyming couplets, the book follows the bats as they put on moon-tan lotion, bury each other in the sand, make new friends, surf, sail, play in the waves, go to the snack bar, and sing around a bonfire. Then they head home before the sun rises.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Children of all ages will be delighted with this simple and joyous concept: Bats have a perfect night at the beach, doing all the things we do, but with slight variations. They use moon-tan lotion, eat salted skeeters and roast bug-mallows, fly themselves as kites, and when they go out in boats they use their own wings as sails.

While the text is well done, the appeal of the book lies in its artwork. Mostly in borderless two-page spreads, in a nighttime color palette enlivened with touches of moon- and fire-light, these gorgeous pictures entice readers to pore over the funny details and beautiful visions. Best of all are the bats themselves, looking very batlike, but with their faces gently rounded to make them look friendly and appealing. Wonderful for bedtime, this enchanting book is sure to become a nightly favorite.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Brian Lies
Illustrator: Brian Lies
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
Publication date: July 24, 2006
Number of pages: 32
Hardcover price: $16.00
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 6
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

marceladns
parent of 3 and 6 year old
3
 
Bats go to the beach too
Beautifully illustrated along with a funny story. We live very close to the beach and we go often so this book was a must have in our list, what do you know, we love it! we compare our snacks to the snacks the bats bring, and since we go to the library every weekend too we also bought Bats at the Library. The rhyming is a great way to teach the kids new vocabulary and encourage them to add their own twist.
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