Bats!: Strange and Wonderful

Strange and Wonderful

by Laurence Pringle

Bats!: Strange and Wonderful Laurence Pringle takes a fascinating look at Earth's only flying mammals in this fun and informative book. Readers will learn how bats can pluck insects from the air, and even fish from the water. They will discover how bats help giant trees and other tropical plants to reproduce, and gobble up pesky mosquitoes. They will find out, too, how they can help to protect bats and their homes. Dozens of bats swoop through Meryl Henderson's striking illustrations. The colorful art and clear, concise text together demonstrate that bats may be strange, but that they are wonderful too, and well worth saving.

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Animals, Nature, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2000

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bats are the masters of the night sky.

Perfect read for the month of October. Although this is a children's book, it serves as a simple introduction to those darn BATS who fly through the night, and sometimes through our dreams, guided by their echolocation (have your kids spell that). Author Laurence Pringle fills each page with facts and myths about these beneficial animals, and I walked away with a new respect for these creatures of the dark.

...bats are not mice with wings.

As with most books for the wee ones, it is the illustrative art which makes it special, and that art is provided by Meryl Henderson, who makes each type of bat come alive. How can you not love these faces?



Her Bats gracefully fly and roost but the best are the Vampire Bats walking on their legs and happily munching on the hoof of a sleeping cow! There's also information on providing backyard homes for Bats and how they can help eliminate the mosquito menace. Good stuff.

Book Season = Autumn (children of the night)

[Haaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love bats. I find them to be so fascinating. This book tells about many different kinds of bats and talks about myths concerning bats that scare people away.

[Ian Camacho · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to make a bat box

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great art and bat facts.

[Lori June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent illustration and important bat facts.

[Lindsay Garber]

Personal Reaction: Since I am not a huge bat person, I did not know a lot about them before reading this book. Even though I am not a huge fan, I still thought this book was very informational and interesting! The book includes almost everything one needs to know about bats, including their various habitats, what they eat, the different kinds, and other fun facts. The pictures of the bats allow readers to better understand what each type of bat looks like.
Purposes/use in the classroom:
-Read aloud to make a curricular connection: This book would be perfect to use for a science lesson on bats. From this book, students are able to learn about their various habitats, the different kinds of bats, what they eat, etc.
-Independent reading: 3rd-4th; Any student who is interested in animals, particularly bats, would really enjoy this fact-filled book. This would be great for students to use for a research project or assignment.
-Particular nonfiction conventions:
-Each picture has a caption that labels the type of bat shown.
-On the last page, there is a name, address, phone number and website for people to use if they want more information on bats.

[Marlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, informative book for children. This was quick enough to keep the interest of my children to be able to read the book in one sitting. Yet is also had interesting facts about a variety of bats from around the world. With explanations for even the youngest of children, and simple pictures to accompany the text, this is a great book.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting facts and fantastic photos; short and easy enough for 3rd graders

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and direct facts about all kinds of bats...megabats, microbats and fishing bats! Who knew?

[Katielibrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

bats are pretty cool animals. we got to watch them fly out of carlsbad caverns recently, it was awesome.

[Brittany Houston]

This book teaches students about the uniqueness of bats; their habitat, what they do, and why they are considered a mammal.

[Rhica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations and great information.

[Danielle Boccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly learned a lot about bats! I take comfort in knowing that flying into women's hair is a myth.