Perfect Picture Book Friday-Bats at the Library

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

Fridays have not been the same since I discovered Susanna Hill‘s Perfect Picture Book Friday. I look forward to writing my review posts, and to reading about all of the other books my fellow reviewers love enough to add to Susanna’s list. I make a list for my weekly library visit as I read through the reviews each Friday.

Bats at the Library

Written and Illustrated by Brian Lies

Houghton Mifflin Books for Children 2008

Ages: 3-8

Themes: Animals, Library, Adventure

Today I am reviewing a book that will win each of your hearts. Bats at the Library is just delightful…or maybe, dedarkful. (They are bats after all!) It will win your heart because, if you’re reading about Perfect Picture Books, you obviously love picture books and spend time at the library. You will relate as they bats get  caught up in stories they hear.

“And if we listen, we will hear

some distant voices drawing near—

louder, louder, louder still,

they coax and pull us in, until…

everyone—old bat or pup—

has been completely swallowed up

and lives inside a book instead

of simply hearing something read.”

See…I told you so. I know those words won your heart. I know you’re adding this book to your library list!

Synopsis: (Booklist) An open library window is an invitation for a colony of bats in this sequel to Bats at the Beach (2006). Once inside, older bats look for favorite books, while younger ones explore and play. Storytime settles everyone down and transports them into the tales, filled with bat characters playing new roles.

Resources: Brian’s website has a wealth of activities: Arts & Crafts, Group, Music, Science, Themes, Writing  Also, on his website are Bat Facts, Appealing Bat Photos, Help Bats!, and information about the White-Nose Syndrome (a plague attacking North American bats). And, there are two more bat books that are just as dedarkful-Bats at the Beach and Bats at the Ballgame. They, too, have teacher guides on his website.

Why I LoveThis Book: The story is told in impeccable rhyme. (Imagine me loving rhyme 🙂 It has adventure and humor. Children will relate as the younger  bats “drift away” to play while the older ones lose themselves in the books on the shelves. They will feel a part of the group as the bats gather for a read aloud. The illustrations are very detailed and invite you to linger on the pages and experience the story told by the art. The ending will invite you (and possibly the bats) back for a repeat!

Susanna Leonard Hill features Perfect Picture Book Friday on her blog. This is a wonderful resource if you are wondering what books to give as gifts, needing material for a lesson, and mainly just perfect for those who love to read picture books. Here is a list of books by category. This is very handy for finding books for lessons in the classroom, or for finding books on a particular topic to discuss with your children at home. Each book listed has a link to a review and information about that book. There is also an alphabetical list if you scroll down past the category list.

36 thoughts on “Perfect Picture Book Friday-Bats at the Library”

  1. Yes, Yes, Yes!
    I am a fan of libraries. 🙂
    I love picture books. 🙂
    The words/rhyme/rhythm are AMAZING. 🙂
    Thank you, Penny…what a wonderful PPBF pick…and terrific resource list as well!

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  5. I have read this book and it is a lot of fun. If you haven’t visited his website, be sure to do so. I read about how he and his wife and children toured his books one summer and eventually made it to the NY Times bestseller list.

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  6. Hi Penny, it does sound like a delightful book. You’re right about PPBF changing Fridays (Saturdays, in our case), in fact, I have created a Pinterest Board dedicated to all these lovely picture books that captured my fancy so I’d be reminded to borrow them from our library. This one’s definitely ‘pinned.’ Very cute! And yes, for an avid bibliophile such as myself, you captured me with those lines as I try to live inside a book and find it to be exhilarating. 🙂

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  7. Bats!! One quivers over at Susanna’s blog list wondering whether to “click” …. lol. I am in awe of text in rhyme so of course I had to come take a look and yes love it. Thanks Penny.

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  9. A not a fan of bats, but since it is a story it is engaging and does win over ones heart. Great choice. Will have to check it out. The cover and illustrations look wonderful Great choice Penny.

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  12. This book sounds so delightful, and if it earns the Penny Seal of Rhyme Approval it must be a good one 🙂 Thanks so much for adding it to our list. I can’t wait to read this one 🙂

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  16. Now, that is what you call resources! I love Bats at the Library, great choice Penny!

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    1. I was very impressed with all of the resources on his website! I would think that would be a selling point for his books. Teachers love books with resources ready to go!

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