Oscar and the Bat

Start with Science

by Geoff Waring

When Oscar hears a blackbird singing in the meadow, he has lots of questions about sound. Luckily Bat is just waking up and can supply him with all the answers!

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Nonfiction, Animals, Cats

Hardcover

First published October 2, 2006

Reviews

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oscar and the Bat is part of a continuing series of Oscar the cat exploring science concepts with other animal friends around him. Each Oscar book begins with him making an OBSERVATION and following that observation with a QUESTION to help him understand how something works. An animal friend joins him to help find answers and more information about each concept using examples from a variety of animals, natural phenomenon, and sometimes everyday man made devices. Each story presents Oscar APPRECIATING the concept he has learned about and selecting a favorite example. The last two pages of each book summarize concepts for REVIEW and offer ways to add learning REINFORCEMENT GAMES with the child to whom it is read.

In Oscar and the Bat, the concept is sound. In this story, Oscar learns why he can hear things he can't see. He also learns that sounds made by animals function as communication and can be made in many different parts of the body (rubbing wings, hissing through holes, whistling with throats or wings, etc.) . He also learns that all sounds aren't talking sounds when he explores sounds from machinery and nature. Opposite sounds are explored in terms of harsh and gentle, loud and soft, including silence. In the end, Oscar and others pick their favorite sounds. (I won't spoil it for you but the end could make a sensitive sort tear up a little.)

This review is intended to help those who care for children in their lives make informed decisions about science books. These books appear to be targeted for preschool age and possibly young school age children.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to introduce sounds and hearing to students

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I took some time to really enjoy this one. OSCAR AND THE BAT is a charming book that presents concepts of sound in a friendly and interactive way. It has a classic feel and the illustrations are bright and appealing. It engages readers young and old.

[Breonna Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oscar and the Bat by Geoff Waring is a delightful children's book that focuses on the friendship between Oscar, and a friendly bat. The story follows Oscar as he learns about his world and the importance of friendship, curiosity, and trying new things.

[Sparrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute introduction to science for kids!

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was a surprisingly good explanation of how sound works for a picture book

[Karen Looker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for encouraging children to think about sound and a sweet story.
My only gripe was the fear of thunder! Only because my son has that fear already.

[Rosy Shang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read for kids. It uses simple sentences to easily explain some sounds in the nature.

[Rayjan Koehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book about sounds for childeren.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was looking for a book about bats, was hoping it might talk about how bats use sound. A little too general for what I need, but a nice beginner book about sound.

[Aarvik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay read!

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really, really dug the art in this book, and the story is fine--educational without being pedantic. Not sure why Oscar the cat gets a name while the poor bat just goes by "the Bat" or "bat." Seems racist. Oh, and why is the bat awake in the day time? I learned a lot about sound, but was left wondering quite a bit about cat and bat relations.

[Kendra Kinnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an informative book disguised in a narrative. Oscar and the Bat explains sound traveling, for example, the further away it is, the softer it is compared to the closer it is the louder it is. This book could easily set the scene for science when discussing sound traveling and sound waves/pitches.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bat and Oscar talk about the different sounds they hear around them. Bat tells Oscar about how different animals make noises - from bugs to snakes to kittens to dolphins! They even talk about Thunder!

[Pynteya Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This time Oscar is curious about the noises he hears. The Bat informs him how different animals such as dolphins, birds, cats, grasshoppers use their body parts to communicate and make other noises. Very good way to teach Kindergarten or 1st Grade about different sounds.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if my daughter actually read this book, because she never asked me to read it to her. Maybe my husband read it to her. I love the series. I think she may not have been attracted to it because of the bat on the cover.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book talks about what sound is, how we listen, and what we hear. We also learn about animals and other noises we hear such as birds and lightening. The bat uses a lot of descriptive words to explain various noises so teachers could teach adjectives using this book.

[Laura Cheek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Esodhiambo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sounds
animal sounds
bats
informative

[Tina B · Rating 2 out of 5]

"sequel, science, cats, bats"

[Jaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

read June 2017 with Noanie.