Family and friends in the bat world discover an open window on a dark and boring night, where are they going? The library! Bats of all ages separate spending the evening reading old favorites, searching for their favorite foods, playing games in the children's section and enjoying a story time when they need a break. Lost in stories they eventually notice dawn approaching and have to leave their adventures only to wait until the librarian leaves a window open again.
Bibliographic Citation:
Lies, B. (2008). Bats at the Beach. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.
My Impression:
Bats at the Library quickly became one of my favorite books for children. I love the use of rhyme in the creative setting that we would normally see children. The illustrations only add to the magic with detail that the reader might imagine but that are not present in the words. The short sentences make it an easy book to follow for young readers and listeners and allowed me to read it aloud very smoothly. Along with the other Bats books I would say it is a necessary addition to any personal collection.
Reviews:
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
July 14, 2008 (starred review)
Bats at the Library
Brian Lies. Houghton Mifflin, $16 (32p) ISBN 978-0-618-99923-1
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, giving Lies comic license to bat-tify the signature visuals from classics like Make Way For Ducklings; Pippi Longstocking; Goodnight, Moon and Peter Rabbit. As with its predecessor, 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 an intensely personal place. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3
In this companion to Bats at the Beach (Houghton, 2006), Lies pays homage to the pleasures to be found within libraries and books. The story opens on three winged creatures clinging to an autumnal branch against the backdrop of evening. Observant readers will recognize the young bat with yellow "water wings" from the earlier title and notice that the chimney and trees at the top of the page point downward-a cue to attend to perspective. The bats are bored, but an antidote is announced: someone left a window open in the library. The golden glow from spotlights on the side of the building and an Arts and Crafts-style reading lamp illuminate the nocturnal adventures in this handsome, traditional space. The bats cluster according to interests. Some peruse "guides to fancy foods" (insect books) and form literary discussion groups. The younger mammals make images of themselves at the copier, frolic in the fountain, play at the computer, and explore the gingerbread castle in a pop-up book. An impromptu storytime brings everyone together, however, and after the pint-size protagonist is literally drawn into the featured book, two spreads reveal a montage of scenes from classic stories, with bats in the starring roles. Lies's acrylics are a successful fusion of fantasy and reality. The rhyming narrative is generally smooth, with enough humor and sophistication to propel readers along. And who can argue with the message?-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
How to use this book in your library:
All three of the Bat books benefit Bat Conservation International. Why many people are scared of bats a story time with Bats at the Library would be a great introduction to a guest speaker or talk with your own research about bats. Bats are a crucial part to the world's ecosystem and there is so much to learn about the mysterious creatures and this fun and easy read would be a great introduction.
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