 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Bats at the Library
- By Brian Lies
- Genre: Picture Book
Common Sense Media says
Late-night library adventure lauds classic books.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this batty adventure is full of silliness as well as being a terrific reference to classic children's literature. In the illustrations, kids will enjoy finding characters from books they may have already read.
What's the story?
When bats find a window that has been left open at the library, they sneak in to enjoy an evening that begins with some very silly exploration and frolicking. Finally, they settle down for storytime and sink into the adventures they find in classic children's books.
Is it any good?
Bats tugging on lamp chains to light up the room, others hanging all around the lamp shade, still others dancing under the projector lamp, making shadow pictures on the wall ... this is just a bit of the fun. Later on, as the bats sink into their reading, they are "completely swallowed up" by the stories. Pages dance with places and characters from classic books parents and kids will recognize: the yellow brick road, Pippi Longstocking, Alice, Peter Rabbit, and so on.
The dark acrylic illustrations create the mood; This is a library at night, with all its mystery and charm. And the reader will feel the excitement, and the mischief, as the young bats explore every nook and cranny while the older ones waste no time in finding books to read. The rhyming verse keeps the story moving and makes it all the more fun.
Wonderful personalities of various bats and their antics really come through in the illustrations.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about bats, why they fly at night, have big ears, and wings whose bones almost look like human hands. Then they might want to find a book that tells more about real bats. Parents and kids will also enjoy talking about the library. How is it like your library? What would you do if you could sneak into the library at night? Do you recognize any of the books that the bats are reading? Are any of these your favorites?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
November 13, 2008
AGE
Encourages love of reading!
I highly recommend this book! My 3 and half year old was fascinating by the bats and their library antics. There is a great message about the joys of reading. Its fun and well written, with lots of interesting word choices to explain to your child.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Encourages love of reading!
I highly recommend this book! My 3 and half year old was fascinating by the bats and their library antics. There is a great message about the joys of reading. Its fun and well written, with lots of interesting word choices to explain to your child.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
November 13, 2008
AGE
Encourages love of reading!
I highly recommend this book! My 3 and half year old was fascinating by the bats and their library antics. There is a great message about the joys of reading. Its fun and well written, with lots of interesting word choices to explain to your child.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
We bought it.
Love it for its gorgeous illustrations, encouraging a love of literature, and its use of some fun new big words for little kids to learn.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Author: | Brian Lies |
| Illustrator: | Brian Lies |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Picture Book |
| Publisher: | Houghton Mifflin Children's Books |
| Publication date: | September 8, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 32 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.00 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 7 |
| Read aloud: | 4 |
| Read alone: | 6 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
