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Helping Animals & Changing Habitats
Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story
Outstanding Science Trade Book
Giverny Award
Jojo is prepping for an exciting night; it s time for the bat count! Bats have always been a welcome presence during the summers in the family barn. But over the years, the numbers have dwindled as many bats in the area caught white-nose syndrome. Jojo and her family count the bats and send the numbers to scientists who study bats, to see if the bat population can recover. On a summer evening, the family quietly makes their way to the lawn to watch the sky and count the visitors to their farm.
Giverny Award
Jojo is prepping for an exciting night; it s time for the bat count! Bats have always been a welcome presence during the summers in the family barn. But over the years, the numbers have dwindled as many bats in the area caught white-nose syndrome. Jojo and her family count the bats and send the numbers to scientists who study bats, to see if the bat population can recover. On a summer evening, the family quietly makes their way to the lawn to watch the sky and count the visitors to their farm.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published February 10, 2017
1 person is currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 24, 2017
About: Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story is a children’s fiction picture book written by Anna Forrester and illustrated by Susan Detwiler. It was recently released for sale on 2/10/17 by Arbordale Publishing, 32 pages. This book is intended for kids ages 4-9, grades K to 3.
My Experience: I started reading Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story on 4/4/17 as a story time for my 5 year-old son and we finished it on the same day. We read it again on 4/23/17. This book is another great read! I do love it when kids are aware of nature and animals and are taking active roles in helping the animals. I love the positive views of Jojo’s mom regarding the bat’s droppings and happy that she teaches Jojo to not bother the bats when they are hanging upside down in the barn because they needed a place to start a family.
In this book, readers will follow Jojo, a big sister of twin boys as she gather twigs to build a fire. Her family is planning on laying by the fire to watch the roof of the barn to count the bats flying out from it. They started doing the bat count after the twin brothers were born because they have noticed that there were fewer droppings for them to sweep in the barn. A newspaper reports that the bats are dying due to a disease called white-nose syndrome and encourages citizens to keep count and send in the tally to the scientists who are tracking them. I love it when Jojo wanted so badly to see more bats, even willing to wait late into the night, because she wants them to be free of diseases. The bats flying out of the barn that night are newborns with their mama and Jojo just couldn’t wait for them to come back and reproduce.
The story, although fiction, but the facts offered of the bats are true. The facts at the end of the book confirms the facts within the story about the bats. It is interesting to learn how bats and humans are alike when comes to giving birth to babies. They can have one or twins. I like how the story touches family. Jojo’s mom ensures that the mother bat is still happy if she only have one baby bat to confirm that her mom loves Jojo as much as her twin brothers. This book has a good focus on family as well as attention to animals and I highly recommend everyone to read it.
Pro: family, nature, animals, science, illustrations,
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Arbordale Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Please assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
My Experience: I started reading Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story on 4/4/17 as a story time for my 5 year-old son and we finished it on the same day. We read it again on 4/23/17. This book is another great read! I do love it when kids are aware of nature and animals and are taking active roles in helping the animals. I love the positive views of Jojo’s mom regarding the bat’s droppings and happy that she teaches Jojo to not bother the bats when they are hanging upside down in the barn because they needed a place to start a family.
In this book, readers will follow Jojo, a big sister of twin boys as she gather twigs to build a fire. Her family is planning on laying by the fire to watch the roof of the barn to count the bats flying out from it. They started doing the bat count after the twin brothers were born because they have noticed that there were fewer droppings for them to sweep in the barn. A newspaper reports that the bats are dying due to a disease called white-nose syndrome and encourages citizens to keep count and send in the tally to the scientists who are tracking them. I love it when Jojo wanted so badly to see more bats, even willing to wait late into the night, because she wants them to be free of diseases. The bats flying out of the barn that night are newborns with their mama and Jojo just couldn’t wait for them to come back and reproduce.
The story, although fiction, but the facts offered of the bats are true. The facts at the end of the book confirms the facts within the story about the bats. It is interesting to learn how bats and humans are alike when comes to giving birth to babies. They can have one or twins. I like how the story touches family. Jojo’s mom ensures that the mother bat is still happy if she only have one baby bat to confirm that her mom loves Jojo as much as her twin brothers. This book has a good focus on family as well as attention to animals and I highly recommend everyone to read it.
Pro: family, nature, animals, science, illustrations,
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Arbordale Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Please assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
February 27, 2017
Picture Book received courtesy of Goodreads.com First Reads Giveaway
With the new push in schools for children to read non-fiction, I find it difficult to find age-appropriate, subject appropriate books for kids. With "Bat Count", I think I've found a new publisher of appropriate non-fiction for kids. The book talks about doing a count of bats coming out of the family's barn. The population of bats has been decimated recently by a fungus. At the end of the book, there are several ideas to extend the reading for different age groups.
I am very excited to share this new book with other teachers!
With the new push in schools for children to read non-fiction, I find it difficult to find age-appropriate, subject appropriate books for kids. With "Bat Count", I think I've found a new publisher of appropriate non-fiction for kids. The book talks about doing a count of bats coming out of the family's barn. The population of bats has been decimated recently by a fungus. At the end of the book, there are several ideas to extend the reading for different age groups.
I am very excited to share this new book with other teachers!
February 28, 2017
I really loved this book and I love the entire concept of the book series and the publishing company in general. This book just covers so many things besides being a cute little story. On the surface this is a beautifully illustrated little book about a family doing a simple activity together. JoJo and her family are going to lay out on a blanket together under the stars and count the number of bats flying out of their barn. But woven into the story are facts about the declining number of bats due to a disease that is wiping out their numbers quickly. The back of the book also has a few pages and diagrams of scientific facts that were, while written with young readers in mind, fact checked by experts in the field. I remember when my college Biology professor made us read The Double Helix and Jurassic Park (he said as a gentle nod to his English professor parents) but really I think he was giving us that added reinforcement of the ways science can play into our lives, even on a fictional entertainment level. And that is what this book. Provides a few science lessons into an entertaining book that both children and non science major parents can understand and enjoy. How smart to offer a book that provides answers to some of the "whys" that children often ask when encountering anything new. I do not know if it was intended, but the main character was a female child, and girls are sometimes lagging in the math and science skills. While JoJo was seen caring for her younger twin brothers, it was her and her mother that were leading the counting of the bats to fill out the paperwork to help scientists determine the effects white nose syndrome is having on the bat population. The book teaches children to become good stewards of the environment through citizen science. Another book I am proud and delighted to recommend!
January 3, 2017
This narrative nonfiction title blends a sweet story with factual information in an engaging way. Children will relate to the human characters, and in doing so develop curiosity, sympathy and understanding for bats. A truly enjoyable and educational read perfect for home or classroom. Excellent back matter covering bat anatomy, behavior, illnesses, and ways the reader can participate in conservation efforts. Highly recommended for ages 4-10.
July 12, 2017
Families will love this book about counting bats and helping to protect them. Through the eyes of a young girl named Jojo, children will be introduced to the concept of citizen science and will learn how bats are much more helpful than harmful. They will also see how bats are threatened by a mysterious disease known as white-nose syndrome and how even the youngest scientists can help them.
June 5, 2017
Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story, written by Anna Forrester, is a wonderfully told story about bats that a family discovers in the barn and the risk to the survival of bats.
First of all, this hardcover book is illustrated in bold colours by Susan Detwiler and the font used is large and sharp – black on light pages, white on dark pages. I like that the family is not Caucasian and that the images are realistic and believable.
The story is told in the voice and from the perspective of the young daughter of the family. Jojo, her mom, dad, and three-year-old twin brothers, live in a large country house that has a big barn.
Before the twins were born, Jojo and her mom would go out to the barn to check on the bats hanging from the rafters. It seemed that they were using the barn as a maternity roost. Jojo’s mom would sweep up the bats droppings once a week and put them on her garden, but over the years things changed drastically and there wasn’t enough to sweep up.
Fact: Bats overwinter in caves and mine shafts, and there is a disease called white-nose syndrome that is killing them off. Bats come out at night to feed on insects, so bat scientists ask people to report to them when and where they see bats and how many. In Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story it became a family ritual for Jojo’s family. They were sad that each year there were fewer bats in their barn so fewer to count at sundown.
One day Jojo and her mom discover only one bat hanging from a rafter. They wait and hope that the bat will safely have a baby and so begin the increase of their population. What they find as the family lies on the grass one night, waiting and hoping to count the bat and her baby when they fly out to feed, is for you to find out as you read this wonderful book.
Personally, I like little brown bats. Unfortunately, their population here in Nova Scotia has been greatly affected by white-nose syndrome. It’s disappointing to not hear them clicking and see them silently flying around at night catching mosquitoes and other pesky insects. Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story by Anna Forrester is an excellent way to introduce young readers to nature’s crisis of the plight of bats.
In the back of the book is a section For Creative Minds with Bat Facts, Bat Bodies information, White-Nose Syndrome facts and how to help bats, and Citizen Science for readers who want to help with bat counts.
First of all, this hardcover book is illustrated in bold colours by Susan Detwiler and the font used is large and sharp – black on light pages, white on dark pages. I like that the family is not Caucasian and that the images are realistic and believable.
The story is told in the voice and from the perspective of the young daughter of the family. Jojo, her mom, dad, and three-year-old twin brothers, live in a large country house that has a big barn.
Before the twins were born, Jojo and her mom would go out to the barn to check on the bats hanging from the rafters. It seemed that they were using the barn as a maternity roost. Jojo’s mom would sweep up the bats droppings once a week and put them on her garden, but over the years things changed drastically and there wasn’t enough to sweep up.
Fact: Bats overwinter in caves and mine shafts, and there is a disease called white-nose syndrome that is killing them off. Bats come out at night to feed on insects, so bat scientists ask people to report to them when and where they see bats and how many. In Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story it became a family ritual for Jojo’s family. They were sad that each year there were fewer bats in their barn so fewer to count at sundown.
One day Jojo and her mom discover only one bat hanging from a rafter. They wait and hope that the bat will safely have a baby and so begin the increase of their population. What they find as the family lies on the grass one night, waiting and hoping to count the bat and her baby when they fly out to feed, is for you to find out as you read this wonderful book.
Personally, I like little brown bats. Unfortunately, their population here in Nova Scotia has been greatly affected by white-nose syndrome. It’s disappointing to not hear them clicking and see them silently flying around at night catching mosquitoes and other pesky insects. Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story by Anna Forrester is an excellent way to introduce young readers to nature’s crisis of the plight of bats.
In the back of the book is a section For Creative Minds with Bat Facts, Bat Bodies information, White-Nose Syndrome facts and how to help bats, and Citizen Science for readers who want to help with bat counts.
August 23, 2018
This is a wonderful story for elementary students, introducing them to the plight of bats who are being decimated by the white nose syndrome fungus. Though fictional it has several pages of detailed non-fiction back-matter.
The kids enjoyed this book and related it to a trip we took to a cave not too long ago. When we visited the cave, the guide explained that 90% of their bats had been killed due to white nose syndrome.
Great for discussions about science, animals, bats & helping animals.
It is a longer book and may be a bit long for preschoolers, but if your preschooler loves bats, they might like this book too.
The kids enjoyed this book and related it to a trip we took to a cave not too long ago. When we visited the cave, the guide explained that 90% of their bats had been killed due to white nose syndrome.
Great for discussions about science, animals, bats & helping animals.
It is a longer book and may be a bit long for preschoolers, but if your preschooler loves bats, they might like this book too.
March 24, 2019
I think this book is innocent and cute. It would be a good book for students who have siblings and may be the oldest and leading tasks like picking twigs, leading the way and taking care of her brothers.. This book shows the maturity that the character, JoJo displays. This book also would be a great way to talk about differences in how we live today. I think the book shows how busy and time-consuming new siblings can be for older siblings and the family. The words in this book can seem complex at times, making it more appropriate for independent reading at a higher level of elementary such as second or third grade. However, I think it could still be read to younger grades.
June 6, 2017
A neat way to learn about bats and learn that anyone can be a scientist, just by being observant and paying attention to changes in the natural world.
I liked the way the author created a parallel between the family in the story and the family of bats. Also the way the mother calmly took in the natural world, bat droppings and all, and taught her daughter about not disturbing the bats in the roost.
True facts about bats are well incorporated into the story so that it's a nice reading experience for storytime. Highly recommended.
I liked the way the author created a parallel between the family in the story and the family of bats. Also the way the mother calmly took in the natural world, bat droppings and all, and taught her daughter about not disturbing the bats in the roost.
True facts about bats are well incorporated into the story so that it's a nice reading experience for storytime. Highly recommended.
April 3, 2019
This is a great book! I loved that there are facts built within the story as you read it. When JoJo was little her mom would sweep up bat droppings and put them on her garden to help her plants to grow bigger. But as the years went on there were fewer and fewer bat droppings. Later the family found out that there was a disease that was causing the bats to die off. Scientists wanted a count on the bats to keep track. The scientists asked people to do counts when they would see bats fly at night. This became a regular activity for the family in the barn!
November 30, 2017
Sweet book about family, with a science theme!
Jojo's family has always welcomed the bats each summer to their farm. But lately the bat numbers have been dwindling. Can her family help the scientists count the bats? In this warm story about family, scientific facts are woven throughout, along with more information in the back. Young readers can follow Jojo's family's lead and become Citizen Scientists themselves!
Jojo's family has always welcomed the bats each summer to their farm. But lately the bat numbers have been dwindling. Can her family help the scientists count the bats? In this warm story about family, scientific facts are woven throughout, along with more information in the back. Young readers can follow Jojo's family's lead and become Citizen Scientists themselves!
August 4, 2017
Interesting facts about bats realistically woven into story about a family who 'counts' their resident bats
Backmatter includes diagram, detailed info on the white-nose disease, and organizations to contact if the reader would like to be a Citizen Scientist.
Full color illustrations show close ups and distance images of the family and the bats.
Backmatter includes diagram, detailed info on the white-nose disease, and organizations to contact if the reader would like to be a Citizen Scientist.
Full color illustrations show close ups and distance images of the family and the bats.
September 25, 2017
“Bat Count” is the perfect balance of story and facts. Personally, I’m not a big fan of bats (mostly because I’m worried about disease) so it is nice to see a story in which the animals are respected and not feared. It’s good for kids to see the important side of bats, too. (Bonus facts at the back for those interested!)
October 10, 2017
A captivating and warmly illustrated story framing a natural science lesson. The story pulls you along for an education about bats, their nesting habits, the devastation of white-nose syndrome, and how bat counts can help track the disease. The additional back matter supports all the questions you and your child will have about bats and white-nose syndrome.
March 27, 2019
This book gives facts about bats while telling a story of bats in their barn. They counted their bats each year and each year the amount of the bats kept getting smaller and smaller. Scientist said that there was some kind of disease killing of the bats. This gives the reader information about what is happening in the story.
September 30, 2017
My 7-year-old son really enjoyed learning both about the bats and about the idea of citizen science. As an aspiring scientist himself, the idea that he could do real, helpful science *now* was eye opening to him!
September 27, 2019
This book contains a fictional story of a young girl who is a citizen scientist and how her family participates in the bat count. What makes this book amazing is the incredible amount of back matter that talks about the decline in bat population and what citizen scientists can do to help.
November 24, 2021
Very cute and science based book. The little girl has always been around bats in the summer and she became very interested in them. I think this book is cute and could get kids interested in science.
February 14, 2017
This is such an original story that weaves facts about bats and white-nose syndrome throughout a compelling fictional story. The illustrations are beautiful. Highly recommended!
February 15, 2017
I learned so much about bats through this book. I had no idea about White Nose Syndrome wiping out a lot of bat populations. This is a definite must-read for the animal lover in your family!
June 8, 2017
The story is a bit uneven, but it's an important introduction to bats and citizen science for children and those who love them.
June 23, 2017
A family with a barn sees that the number of bats is falling and they join in a bat count to track the (hopeful) recovery of the species. Lots of bat facts in the back.
February 21, 2018
Another story that talks about how citizens can help researchers in science. Bat facts are sprinkled through the story and there is a separate section of bat facts at the end as well.
August 8, 2018
BATS! I loved this story--it was soft and sweet and full of hope!
January 22, 2019
Great book for the bats! Beautiful illustrations as well.
May 28, 2021
It was a very cute story and good for spreading awareness about the diseases that affect bats.
September 22, 2022
I am looking forward to pairing this with a nonfiction title in October. Nice way of relating Jojo's experience and family to that of the bat. Fact and activity pages in the back.
March 19, 2025
Love this book!! I would definitely add to my classroom.
Helps kids learn about bats. Would be a cute pairing with Stellaluna.
Helps kids learn about bats. Would be a cute pairing with Stellaluna.
March 6, 2017
A beautifully written picture book. The author seamlessly weaves together multiple storylines about bats, citizen science, family, and hope.
February 26, 2017
I had heard about bird counts before reading this book, but now I see how bat counts are just as important. This is a wonderful book to show young children how they can be good stewards of the environment through citizen science. They´ll learn a lot about bats also in this informative and engaging book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews