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Nightsong
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2012)A breathtaking picture book illustrated by mega-bestseller Loren Long, about a young bat setting off into the world using only his good sense!
Sense is the song you sing out into the world,
and the song the world sings back to you.
With these words, Chiro’s mother sends him off into the night for the first time alone. It’s an adventure, but how will he find his way? And how will he find his way home? As the young bat discovers, navigating the world around him is easy as long as he uses his good sense.
This beautiful and touching coming-of-age story, with mesmerizing artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long and lyrical text from Ari Berk, conveys a heartwarming and universal message: No matter how far away you go, you can always find your way home.
Sense is the song you sing out into the world,
and the song the world sings back to you.
With these words, Chiro’s mother sends him off into the night for the first time alone. It’s an adventure, but how will he find his way? And how will he find his way home? As the young bat discovers, navigating the world around him is easy as long as he uses his good sense.
This beautiful and touching coming-of-age story, with mesmerizing artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long and lyrical text from Ari Berk, conveys a heartwarming and universal message: No matter how far away you go, you can always find your way home.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2012
5 people are currently reading
962 people want to read
About the author
Ari Berk
32 books155 followersAri Berk is a writer, artist, and scholar of literature, folklore, and myth. Former student of and assistant to Pulitzer Prize winning writer N. Scott Momaday, Ari has written everything from academic works on ancient cultures to popular books about myths and legends for children and adults and, most recently, a trilogy of novels. He works in a library filled to the ceiling with thousands of arcane books and more than a few wondrous artifacts. When not writing, he moonlights as professor of mythology and folklore at Central Michigan University. He lives in Michigan with his wife and son. Visit him at www.ariberk.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
November 3, 2014
SEEING THIS BOOK ON THE SHELVES AT KIDDOS' BOOK FAIR=INSTA-LOVE.
The cover is GORGEOUS (the GR pic doesn't do it justice), and I was so happy to see that the story inside was just as enjoyable.
I might just stalk the cover artist O_O and beg them for MORE!
The cover is GORGEOUS (the GR pic doesn't do it justice), and I was so happy to see that the story inside was just as enjoyable.
I might just stalk the cover artist O_O and beg them for MORE!
October 19, 2012
This is a sweet tale about a youngster growing up and his mom letting him go to explore on his own. To this end, it's probably just as good of a story for parents as it is for children. The story also teaches a bit about echolocation without actually mentioning it, and children can learn how bats can 'see' in the dark.
The illustrations are dark and convey Chiro's inability to visually discern his surroundings. They help to convey the scary world that Chiro flies out into, but also a world that becomes more clear as he learns how to use his extra senses. The depiction of Chiro himself is adorable and he is a very likable character. We recognized the illustrator's work from books like Otis.
The only complaint I had was that we had no idea how to pronounce his name. We vacilated between 'kiro' and 'chiro' (both with long i sounds) throughout the story and I never really liked either. I naturally tended to pronounce it 'kiro,' like the beginning of chiropractor, but our girls insisted it was 'chiro,' with the 'ch' prefix emphasized. It wasn't until we read the author's note at the end that we discovered that the name is pronounced cheer-o, and was chosen as an homage to the latin word for bat, Chiroptera. It is made up of two Greek words meaning hand (cheiros) and wing (pteros). Oh. That would have been a helpful note to read before we started the story.
Overall, we thought this was a very nice tale and the illustrations were terrific. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
The illustrations are dark and convey Chiro's inability to visually discern his surroundings. They help to convey the scary world that Chiro flies out into, but also a world that becomes more clear as he learns how to use his extra senses. The depiction of Chiro himself is adorable and he is a very likable character. We recognized the illustrator's work from books like Otis.
The only complaint I had was that we had no idea how to pronounce his name. We vacilated between 'kiro' and 'chiro' (both with long i sounds) throughout the story and I never really liked either. I naturally tended to pronounce it 'kiro,' like the beginning of chiropractor, but our girls insisted it was 'chiro,' with the 'ch' prefix emphasized. It wasn't until we read the author's note at the end that we discovered that the name is pronounced cheer-o, and was chosen as an homage to the latin word for bat, Chiroptera. It is made up of two Greek words meaning hand (cheiros) and wing (pteros). Oh. That would have been a helpful note to read before we started the story.
Overall, we thought this was a very nice tale and the illustrations were terrific. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
January 8, 2020
Sense is the song you sing out into the world,
and the song the world sings back to you.
With these words, Chiro’s mother sends him off into the night for the first time alone. It’s an adventure, but how will he find his way? And how will he find his way home? As the young bat discovers, navigating the world around him is easy as long as he uses his good sense.
I picked this up at our local library. I was walking past it and the cover just sang to me... This was a sweet story about making choices, and wise decisions when you are left to your own devices. I was so drawn to the illustration of the cover and so glad that the inside did not disappoint.
I used this to go along with a unit study for my daughters homeschool. We talked about the 5 senses and how important listening is. I would recommend this book!! My daughter really enjoyed it.
November 6, 2019
This is an adorable book about a baby bat that is getting to know the world though echolocation and exploring around.
March 28, 2019
Chiro the bat is sent out into the nighttime world by his mother in this lovely picture-book examination of echolocation. Instructed to use his song to find the local pond and eating place, he sets out, hesitant at first and then more confident, as his song sends back information about the world around him. Once he has reached the pond and had his dinner, he even sets out to explore further, reaching the coast and flying out over the sea, before heading home once again...
Featuring an engaging story of a young bat finding his way in the world for the first time, Nightsong is a book which can be used to launch a discussion of how bats use echolocation, even though Ari Berk never uses that term in his poetic text. It pairs an exciting nighttime adventure with engrossing, appropriately dark illustrations, done in acrylic and graphite, from artist Loren Long. Recommended to all young animal lovers, and to anyone looking for picture-books about bats and/or echolocation.
Featuring an engaging story of a young bat finding his way in the world for the first time, Nightsong is a book which can be used to launch a discussion of how bats use echolocation, even though Ari Berk never uses that term in his poetic text. It pairs an exciting nighttime adventure with engrossing, appropriately dark illustrations, done in acrylic and graphite, from artist Loren Long. Recommended to all young animal lovers, and to anyone looking for picture-books about bats and/or echolocation.
June 24, 2012
Long's illustrations are beautiful though I don't know any bats that are as cute as Chiro.
July 5, 2021
Nightsong and the reason I picked up this book are, for me, a study in things art reminds us of. You know, I’m sure, those touching moments in which you see something and instantly think back to a person or a memory through which you can now experience this new visual.
I thought of a friend when I first saw Nightsong.
I don’t think the book, as a whole, did a whole lot that impressed me, though I do love the cleverness to the art. But I think back to this friend, who loves bats, and I realize that if she ever does have a child one day that I will send her this book and know she’ll love it.
So, I think my picking up Nightsong was a happenstance of connections and stumbling. Nothing more, nothing less.
I thought of a friend when I first saw Nightsong.
I don’t think the book, as a whole, did a whole lot that impressed me, though I do love the cleverness to the art. But I think back to this friend, who loves bats, and I realize that if she ever does have a child one day that I will send her this book and know she’ll love it.
So, I think my picking up Nightsong was a happenstance of connections and stumbling. Nothing more, nothing less.
Read
April 19, 2024Too sentimental for me (which is saying something!). But if it teaches families to be less ridiculously afraid of or hostile to bats, which are fascinating and so beneficial to us, that's a Good Thing.
January 6, 2026
A little bat learns to use his echolocation and illuminates his night world. Very nice illustrations and a sweet story of discovery. My 5 year old loved this one.
February 13, 2013
THIS IS THE CUTEST BOOK EVER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD! I may be biased, as I absolutely adore bats (and they are so good for eating pesky mosquitoes and other insects that are annoying), but if the illustrations of little Chiro don't melt your heart, you don't have one!
The real strength of this book lies in the full-page illustrations. The story deals with Chiro learning how to use echo location. The author explains the concept of echo location in a beautiful manner that children will understand. The illustrator shows how Chiro "sees" by making the majority of the page black and trees indistinct shadows, with a full-color section where Chiro "sings" out to the world.
Another thing I love about this book is the way it portrays bats as a family-based species (which is totally true to science, by the way) that provides a beneficial service: eating insects. Bats save millions and millions of dollars in agricultural damage each year, but they still have a bad rap.
So do yourself and the world a favor, read this book and let it blow your mind with how awesome bats are. (Stella Luna is another great picture book about an adorable bat.)
The real strength of this book lies in the full-page illustrations. The story deals with Chiro learning how to use echo location. The author explains the concept of echo location in a beautiful manner that children will understand. The illustrator shows how Chiro "sees" by making the majority of the page black and trees indistinct shadows, with a full-color section where Chiro "sings" out to the world.
Another thing I love about this book is the way it portrays bats as a family-based species (which is totally true to science, by the way) that provides a beneficial service: eating insects. Bats save millions and millions of dollars in agricultural damage each year, but they still have a bad rap.
So do yourself and the world a favor, read this book and let it blow your mind with how awesome bats are. (Stella Luna is another great picture book about an adorable bat.)
September 26, 2012
Well with so many books having the same title....
Anyway this one really stands out.
I love bats sooooo......
Little Chiro, is sent out into the night for the first time. He is terrified because it is so dark and he tells his mom that he can't see. But she tells him to sing, it's a sense that bats have and that everything will sing back to him in its own way. Chiro soars out, and at first everything is so dark, but he remembers to sing. Through the amazing illustrations the colors of the night sing back and everything becomes clear to him.
This is an inspiring book in the way that it was artistically mastered. It really needs to be seen to be appreciated. It gave me a sense of how some creatures see in the dark in their own way, through the eyes of the author and the artist.
The expressions on Chiro's face in each of the illustrations is priceless. The wonder that is captured is just adorable. This would have been one of my favorite books as a child, now it's one of my favorites as an adult. Quick get me a damned tissue!
Anyway this one really stands out.
I love bats sooooo......
Little Chiro, is sent out into the night for the first time. He is terrified because it is so dark and he tells his mom that he can't see. But she tells him to sing, it's a sense that bats have and that everything will sing back to him in its own way. Chiro soars out, and at first everything is so dark, but he remembers to sing. Through the amazing illustrations the colors of the night sing back and everything becomes clear to him.
This is an inspiring book in the way that it was artistically mastered. It really needs to be seen to be appreciated. It gave me a sense of how some creatures see in the dark in their own way, through the eyes of the author and the artist.
The expressions on Chiro's face in each of the illustrations is priceless. The wonder that is captured is just adorable. This would have been one of my favorite books as a child, now it's one of my favorites as an adult. Quick get me a damned tissue!
May 11, 2012
Chiro, a little bat, faces his first night alone. He is scared because he cannot see in the dark, but his mother tells him, "Sense is the song you sing out into the world, and the song the world sings back to you." With this advice Chiro sets out into the frightening night, softly singing at the world around him. As his song brings awareness, it also banishes fear and soon Chiro's song becomes louder and his world expands in vivid detail. Long's scratchy black backgrounds capture the frightening shadows of trees and unknown things. Though it fits with the visual language he uses for Chiro and his mother, the contrast between adorable bat and dark night sets an immediate tone while the strong, layered colors reveal the vibrancy of Chiro's sound-sight. A story about vanquishing darkness and fear of the unknown, Nightsong will illuminate the imaginations of children and new graduates alike.
January 18, 2013
I loved this book, and especially the illustrations! Chiro is a young bat who has never explored the world alone before, until tonight, when his mother says he must. He has to use his good sense and sing, in order to find his way in the dark and eat his dinner. This is a good way to teach echolocation to young children, as the illustrator Loren Long shows wonderfully in acrylics and graphite. My favorite illustration was the one after Chiro eats, when he wanders out of the safety of the pond and into the wide world, with a closeup on the face of the bat (it had great detail and the bat looked so curious, like a young child). Highly recommended for ages 3-7, 5 stars.
December 26, 2012
The pictures deserve a 5. The story, eh.
I love the idea that a story was written about a bat. The bat is cute, and I think again - the book might be slightly more appealing to little girls.
Overall, however, my wife and I both agreed we did not love this book. There were some nice themes of adventure, and perseverance, and being strong, and conquering fears. Heck, this might even be the book to buy your "boomerang" college student. It just so happens to not be that awesome at any one thing, and to drag a bit (if that's possible for a children's book).
Beautiful art. Highly disappointing story. Overrated.
Rent it, but I'd pass on buying it and don't know what the fuss is all about.
I love the idea that a story was written about a bat. The bat is cute, and I think again - the book might be slightly more appealing to little girls.
Overall, however, my wife and I both agreed we did not love this book. There were some nice themes of adventure, and perseverance, and being strong, and conquering fears. Heck, this might even be the book to buy your "boomerang" college student. It just so happens to not be that awesome at any one thing, and to drag a bit (if that's possible for a children's book).
Beautiful art. Highly disappointing story. Overrated.
Rent it, but I'd pass on buying it and don't know what the fuss is all about.
June 7, 2020
"There are other ways to see...other ways to help you make your way in the world."
A wonderful story about a little bat named Chiro, who is learning for the first time how to make it in a very dark world. Chiro's song, which is echo location, is a great metaphor for the special gifts that we all possess. This would be an excellent book, not only for children, but for children to read with adults. Loren Long's illustrations blend so perfectly with Ari Berk's poetic language. This is one of those books that makes me excited to be a parent so I can share these stories with my own children.
A wonderful story about a little bat named Chiro, who is learning for the first time how to make it in a very dark world. Chiro's song, which is echo location, is a great metaphor for the special gifts that we all possess. This would be an excellent book, not only for children, but for children to read with adults. Loren Long's illustrations blend so perfectly with Ari Berk's poetic language. This is one of those books that makes me excited to be a parent so I can share these stories with my own children.
January 13, 2015
I was really touched by the central metaphor of "your good sense" is the "song you sing out to the world, and the song it will sing back to you".
The illustrations could have been better but they aren't as terrible as most of the reviewers seem to imply. A few people have compared this to Stellaluna - but this is much shorter and is not aiming at the "Ugly Duckling" theme.
I thought this was a charming book, honestly.
The illustrations could have been better but they aren't as terrible as most of the reviewers seem to imply. A few people have compared this to Stellaluna - but this is much shorter and is not aiming at the "Ugly Duckling" theme.
I thought this was a charming book, honestly.
March 2, 2013
The illustrations here are indeed beautiful, and highly evocative of little Chiro's feelings, but WHY no mention of what this "good sense" actually is? As the mother of a preschooler that likes to know the whys behind the story, this fell flat. I had to fumble an explanation about call and response and echolocation and hope I got it right. The author explained the inspiration of the main character's name, but I would have liked to see more.
January 17, 2013
The strength the mama bat imparts should be a special sense unto itself. The text is lyrical, but the illustrations are what really made this book for me--how the night came alive (even the text comes alive!) as the baby bat sings. And the picture of the baby bat's tummy, after he has eaten all the mosquitoes is so funny and sweet. Loved this book; loved reading it with Madam.
October 16, 2015
This for me epitomizes the kind of children's book that Scholastic should be publishing. The story is engaging and beautifully illustrated, about little Chiro who is afraid but then literally soars, when his bat-mother turns him out of their nest. A gorgeous education about chiroptera, including echolocation and other bat facts. My 2nd graders love it.
September 3, 2017
This book is truly breathtaking. It is short and simple, but so beautiful. I love how it is drawn so that we get to see the way the small bat does, or at least get some idea of how the bat sees. I loved seeing the baby bat discovering "his song" and exploring the world outside his familiar boarders.
November 30, 2012
I'm still in love with Stellaluna, but Chiro is just as adorable. I love the advice Momma gives Chiro on his first adventure out into the darkness. Love the book format and layout of the beautiful illustrations. Sing on Chiro!
January 20, 2014
The illustrations in this book are stunning! However, I found the text to be a bit exhausting, and my mind wandered. The attention span of a child is much shorter than mine, and therefore, I can imagine this book not targeting the age group it was intended to reach.
October 3, 2015
I just added this to my children's book collection, beings I am a preschool teacher. It is a great way to teach children about echolocation especially for the age groups 4 to 5 years of age. And the illustrations are beautiful.
July 15, 2014
What a sweet, beautiful book. The illustrations are wonderful and the little adventure story is wonderful.
December 3, 2012
Lovely illustrations!
November 26, 2019
We love this book! The text is beautifully written and the illustrations are stunning. My 5 and 4 year olds love the story and ask to read it at least 2 or 3 times a week. I personally love how poetic the writing is and that it appeals to both children and parents... I don’t get bored of reading this one aloud!
I also love that the story deals with themes such as fear, adventure, discovery as well as echolocation in a way that children will find interesting as well as inspiring. Also, bats are just simply awesome.
I also love that the story deals with themes such as fear, adventure, discovery as well as echolocation in a way that children will find interesting as well as inspiring. Also, bats are just simply awesome.
November 4, 2019
Touching story about a young bat whose mother tries to show him how to use echolalia to find his way around in the dark. A nice bedtime storybook.
June 16, 2018
A beautifully illustrated, darling tale that's delivered in the perfect way so that all ages might enjoy it.
June 13, 2015
This book was very beautifully illustrated. Whether it was the use of color or the artwork itself, Loren Long really did an amazing job of bringing Ari Berk's words come to life. The majority of the book is very dark, after all you are dealing with a bat. Their very nature is to me most active in a dark atmosphere, which is why they live in caves and other dark dwellings. Chiro, has never been away from his mother, and if afraid of what lives and lies beyond the safety of their home. When his mother finally sends him on his way, you can see the emotion in his face just how scared he truly is. Being so dark, I would have imagined not being able to make out much in way of details of Chiro's adventure, but Loren Long does an amazing job of using different shades of black to make even the most dark of atmosphere hold terrors and light for one to see. In one such imagine, Chiro believes that hands are grabbing at him from the forest. We know that it's the branches he is passing through, but you can see the formation of hands in them in the dark.
Once Chiro finally remembers his mother's words of using his good sense or song when he is at him most scared moment, we all begin to see the world through new eyes and shades. I love how the artist has used his singing into a "headlight" effect, so that we go from pitch black and only seeing a few shades of color to a whole spectrum of being able to see in the dark. Much like when we drive at night and turn on our headlights to be able to see. Chiro not only begins to grow confidence in himself, but loses his fear almost immediately and pushing himself further than he has gone before.
This is a true story of overcoming one's fears and learning to do so on your own, because as much as we would love to stay with our parents and they with us, we must eventually learn to have adventures of our own to tell.
If you have enjoyed Ari Berk's and Loren Long's works before, then Nightsong is a must to add to your collection, but if you are not familiar with them and love bats or coming of age stories then this title is the one for you to make new in your library today!
originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...
Once Chiro finally remembers his mother's words of using his good sense or song when he is at him most scared moment, we all begin to see the world through new eyes and shades. I love how the artist has used his singing into a "headlight" effect, so that we go from pitch black and only seeing a few shades of color to a whole spectrum of being able to see in the dark. Much like when we drive at night and turn on our headlights to be able to see. Chiro not only begins to grow confidence in himself, but loses his fear almost immediately and pushing himself further than he has gone before.
This is a true story of overcoming one's fears and learning to do so on your own, because as much as we would love to stay with our parents and they with us, we must eventually learn to have adventures of our own to tell.
If you have enjoyed Ari Berk's and Loren Long's works before, then Nightsong is a must to add to your collection, but if you are not familiar with them and love bats or coming of age stories then this title is the one for you to make new in your library today!
originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...
October 16, 2014
This beautifully done picture book follows the story of a little bat named Chiro. His mother tells him one evening that he is to fly out into the world on his own for once and use his "good sense" to find his way in the dark. When Chiro sets out, he runs into a few obstacles and then uses his mothers advice to be able to see things in a new light and look at the world around him with that "good sense".
The first thing that stands out about this book are the images. They are done in a very dark and scratchy type of drawing, and you can see the lines in each of the drawings. The darker colors blend in with the blacks and grays, making the dark world come alive as Chiro navigates it. Another interesting effect that the author and illustrator have is whenever Chiro uses his "good sense" to see in the dark, that portion of the drawing then lights up and becomes the colors in which we are used to seeing them. It highlights the sense of echo-location that bats use for their sense of sight during their flights at night. As the dawn starts to break, the colors become brighter and warmer, showing just how far Chiro travels from home and how long he has to travel back.
The text within the story is on the longer side for a picture book, but very eloquently done. It weaves a story of a baby bat that is finally traveling off on his own and realizing the wonders of the night and the world. Little kids and adults can relate to this because of their babies growing older and their kids wanting to have more freedom. Every parent has to let their children out into the world and on their own at some point, and all they can do is stand back and give them the advice they believe will help them survive. Chiro wanders far from home, but he does use his mothers advice and travels back safely in the end.
I very much enjoyed the book because of the pictures and how well they were done. I found myself staying on certain pages just so I could take in the pictures and all the details that the illustrator decided to add into the image.
The first thing that stands out about this book are the images. They are done in a very dark and scratchy type of drawing, and you can see the lines in each of the drawings. The darker colors blend in with the blacks and grays, making the dark world come alive as Chiro navigates it. Another interesting effect that the author and illustrator have is whenever Chiro uses his "good sense" to see in the dark, that portion of the drawing then lights up and becomes the colors in which we are used to seeing them. It highlights the sense of echo-location that bats use for their sense of sight during their flights at night. As the dawn starts to break, the colors become brighter and warmer, showing just how far Chiro travels from home and how long he has to travel back.
The text within the story is on the longer side for a picture book, but very eloquently done. It weaves a story of a baby bat that is finally traveling off on his own and realizing the wonders of the night and the world. Little kids and adults can relate to this because of their babies growing older and their kids wanting to have more freedom. Every parent has to let their children out into the world and on their own at some point, and all they can do is stand back and give them the advice they believe will help them survive. Chiro wanders far from home, but he does use his mothers advice and travels back safely in the end.
I very much enjoyed the book because of the pictures and how well they were done. I found myself staying on certain pages just so I could take in the pictures and all the details that the illustrator decided to add into the image.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews