Bats at the Library

"Another inky evening's here - / the air is cool and calm and clear. / We've feasted, fluttered, swooped and, soared, / and yet... we're still a little bored" begins this engaging picture-book about a colony of bats that visit the local library one night. Whether reading selections that seem tailored to their interests - an insect guide is described as a guide to "fancy food" - playing with the photocopier, or settling in for story-hour, these bats know how to get the most out of their library visit, and how to really sink into a story!

With its rhyming narrative and appealing acrylic illustrations, Bats at the Library would make a good story-hour selection, although I'd be careful of the lighting conditions, when reading - the artwork show more is rather dark, and doesn't show up well in bright light. That said, there were many little details here that I found charming, from the upside-down vista in the first scene (a rooftop hangs from the top of the page), to the copy of "Goodnight Sun" that a few of the bats are seen reading. And, of course, the idea of getting lost in a good book is always one that will appeal to me! All in all, this was a charming little tale. I think I'd like to read about the bats' first adventure, in Bats at the Beach. show less

I'm grinning. Not only does this bat book have the usual rhyme and wonderful illustrations, but the author adds literary references in a talented way. Upped it half a star.

I loved this book, and I only wish it had been around when I was a child. The paintings are magnificent, I don't know how to describe them, but the bats seem so lifelike. The story is about a large group of bats who are excited to hear that the library window has been left open one night. The bats then swoop in and have the run of the place. They read, play games, chat about books, and get lost in storytime. They are sad when the sun starts to rise and they must leave, but they look forward to the next trip to this fantastic world of fun filled fantasies. This book is perfect to get children excited about going to the library and about reading in general.

This charmingly-illustrated book tells the story of what happens one night when a bunch of bored bats find a window ajar at the library. The bats – cutely drawn by author and illustrator Brian Lies – are thrilled by the discovery and spend the night exploring the library and having fun. They make photocopies of themselves on the copy machine, play in the pop-up books, conduct a family storytime, and use the drinking fountain as a swimming pool. The illustrations are richly detailed and funny. On one page, some bats are described as studying a guide to "fancy foods" and they are shown examining a guide to insects. This is a delightful picture book that will entertain readers of any age and is perfect Halloween reading. This is also a show more wonderful follow-up to Lies' first bat book, "Bats at the Beach," also highly recommended. show less

Cute and very creative, the bats rest in the day and during the evening, they find a window opened in the library. Having a great time reading they stay until the break of dawn. Again, I'm laughing out loud at the funny details incorporated in the illustrations. The bats are dressed like fairytale characters, and one bat reads a book Called Good Night Sun, instead of the popular Margaret Wise Brown Good Night Moon.

A fun rhyming book that follows a group of bats as they sneak into a library to play at night. The young bats spend their time playing in library with the technology. They copied themselves, made shadows with the projector and read books.

In this beautiful picture book, a community of bats flies into a library at night and enjoys all of the storybooks, the photocopier, and even the water fountain! No bats have ever been cuter and what great readers they are! They get so caught up in their books, they seem to become the famous characters: Winnie the Bat, Little Bat Riding Hood, Pippi Batstocking and more.