Module 1/SLIS 5420/August 31st
Bats in The Library
by Brian Lies
Bibliography
Lies, B.(2008) Bats in the Library. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN-13: 978061899923
Summary
A bored colony of bats enter the library through an open window. Some use the water fountain for a swimming pool while others use a projector to create shadows on the wall but all settle down for storytime. Unfortunately it seems just as all are enjoying the story the light of day begins to creep in and the bats must leave.
My Impressions
Children will enjoy the rhyming text and rich, detailed illustrations. I like the friendly use of bats because it is a creature that children are often afraid of and seldom seen in children's literature outside of Halloween stories.
Reviews
* Starred Review. Lies's (Bats at the Beach) much-lauded bats are back and the library's got them--thanks to a window left open by an unsuspecting (or perhaps sympathetic) librarian. Although the young ones initially misbehave (they make photocopies of their bodies and turn the water fountain into a splash pool), Lies cuts them a little slack: "It's hard to settle down and read/ when life flits by at dizzy speed." Story time settles everyone (upside-)down, and soon the furry creatures are "completely swallowed up" in books. This book's richly detailed chiaroscuro paintings find considerable humor at the intersection where bat and human behavior meet. But the author/artist outdoes himself: the library-after-dark setting works a magic all its own, taking Lies and his audience to a an intensely personal place. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) -- Publishers Weekly, July 14, 2008
* 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. The rhymed narrative serves primarily as the vehicle for the appealing acrylic illustrations that teem with bats so charming they will even win over chiroptophobes. Preschool-Grade 3. --Linda Perkins From Booklist
Suggested Activities
This would be a good book to use at the beginning of the year when introducing young readers to the library. You could ask them why they thought the bats liked the library and what bats favorite books might be. Then follow up with having them share their own favorite books to help you get to know the children and the kinds of literature they enjoy.
It would also be a great book as an introduction to bats for older students. You could discuss what these bats could do that real bats can not do and activate prior knowledge before beginning instruction on research and have the students look up facts about real bats. Perhaps use a KWL chart as well.
