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Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat
An adorable rhyming Halloween book with educational nonfiction elements woven in, perfect for classrooms and libraries!
Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me lots of BUGS to eat! Follow along as a young bat takes flight on Halloween night and eats lots of delicious bugs along the way! Includes educational backmatter with lots of fun facts about bats and their favorite insects.
Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me lots of BUGS to eat! Follow along as a young bat takes flight on Halloween night and eats lots of delicious bugs along the way! Includes educational backmatter with lots of fun facts about bats and their favorite insects.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2021
1 person is currently reading
1426 people want to read
About the author
Tracy C. Gold
10 books41 followersTracy C. Gold loves bringing characters to life. She writes picture books about nature and family. She also works as a freelance editor and teaches on-demand courses about writing picture books. She is a big geek about rhythm and rhyme! Tracy also writes short stories, essays, poems, and novels. Her work has been published in several magazines and anthologies. Tracy earned her M.F.A. in Creative Writing and Publishing Arts and taught writing at the University of Baltimore. She also learned a lot about publishing as an intern for literary agent Carrie Pestritto. She earned her B.A. in English from Duke University. Tracy loves playing with her kid, horses, and dogs. You can find out more about Tracy at tracycgold.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
November 4, 2021
A cute little bat wakes up on Halloween night in this rhyming picture-book treat, and enjoys a smorgasbord of bug delights. Munching his way through moths, flies, crickets, beetles, and bees, the bat uses echolocation, and flies through the night. The book closes with a few pages of information about bats - their diet (bugs, obviously), the different kinds, their anatomy - and closes with an admonition to the child reader not to fear bats, if they encounter them on Halloween night...
An appealing mixture of fictional and nonfictional elements, Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat is one Halloween book that manages to be both entertaining and educational. I liked the fact that author Tracy C. Gold took one of the classic creatures of Halloween and explored its own nighttime "trick or treating" experiences, in a non-anthropomorphic, biological way. The accompanying artwork from Nancy Leschnikoff is colorful and cute. With a fun rhyming text and eye-catching illustrations, this would make an excellent seasonal title for younger children, and could be used both in a more general Halloween story time, or in a teaching unit on nocturnal species like bats.
An appealing mixture of fictional and nonfictional elements, Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat is one Halloween book that manages to be both entertaining and educational. I liked the fact that author Tracy C. Gold took one of the classic creatures of Halloween and explored its own nighttime "trick or treating" experiences, in a non-anthropomorphic, biological way. The accompanying artwork from Nancy Leschnikoff is colorful and cute. With a fun rhyming text and eye-catching illustrations, this would make an excellent seasonal title for younger children, and could be used both in a more general Halloween story time, or in a teaching unit on nocturnal species like bats.
January 13, 2025
This looks like another Hallowe'en story, but it is actually a non-fiction story about bats. My granddaughter thought the little bat was cute and we enjoyed learning about his nighttime travels and what he eats. The illustrations are cute and well drawn with lots of colour to attract the eye. We both learned things from this book. She thinks bats are heroes because they eat wasps and she is afraid of wasps. The rhyming text makes this an easy book to read aloud. When we finished reading it, we went back through the book and talked about each page, the words and illustrations. I then showed it to my grandson, who is older and he really liked "the stuff at the back". He liked to read the book to his younger sister and brother, but enjoyed learning about bats from the back pages. A great book to have in libraries, classroom, school and public. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
August 18, 2021
The cover of this book was so cute, I just couldn't pass it by. I was pleased to find that the rhyming story (set to the beat of "Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet") was just as satisfying. The verse is done well and is educational, as the book is about how bats echolocate their prey and what kinds of crunchy critters they eat.
This book works on many levels: facts about bats and their diets, Halloween tie-in since this happens on October 31st as bats trick or treat, and an upbeat rhyming text set to a familiar tune.
The back matter provides more details about bats--and more darling images from this talented illustrator. Overall, this is nonfiction at its best, where it connects with kids but doesn't feel like a lesson. Instead, it's fun to learn about these amazing creatures.
This book works on many levels: facts about bats and their diets, Halloween tie-in since this happens on October 31st as bats trick or treat, and an upbeat rhyming text set to a familiar tune.
The back matter provides more details about bats--and more darling images from this talented illustrator. Overall, this is nonfiction at its best, where it connects with kids but doesn't feel like a lesson. Instead, it's fun to learn about these amazing creatures.
April 19, 2023
Read this as a pick me up, which I’ve been needing a lot lately. The art work is so beautiful and adorable, the rhymes are perfect for young children, and the book has a bonus section at the end with fun facts about bats. It’s a great way to teach children about an animal they might fear/be taught to fear by media, and it helps foster an appreciation for bags and their role in the ecosystem. All with adorable, kid friendly language and art work and cute rhymes. Love it 💕might buy a physical copy for myself and for my friends with small children. 😊
February 10, 2021
Bats! Fluffy sky dogs! Soaring through the night air, hanging upside down at day!
This is cuteness overload. Very colourful, very enthusiastic, sharing favourite foods. At the end, there even is a section with a few bat facts, how they live, some species and how they look.
If you want your toddler to know something about these misunderstood animals, this could be the right way to introduce them.
Be aware that there are pictures of arachnids.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
This is cuteness overload. Very colourful, very enthusiastic, sharing favourite foods. At the end, there even is a section with a few bat facts, how they live, some species and how they look.
If you want your toddler to know something about these misunderstood animals, this could be the right way to introduce them.
Be aware that there are pictures of arachnids.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
September 3, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Sourcebooks Explore through Edelweiss+.
One little bat takes readers through his night as he soars through the air devouring all sorts of bugs. Colorful illustrations show realistic looking bugs and the bat enjoying its dinner. Informative text is provided at the end for readers who want to learn more about bats. Great read aloud to introduce bats.
One little bat takes readers through his night as he soars through the air devouring all sorts of bugs. Colorful illustrations show realistic looking bugs and the bat enjoying its dinner. Informative text is provided at the end for readers who want to learn more about bats. Great read aloud to introduce bats.
November 16, 2023
This one was cute. I loved following this little bat on their adventures Halloween night. The rhyming scheme was very easy to follow and the artwork was lovely. What's cool is that even though it's meant to be educational, providing children with more information about bats, it's not a slog. It's just entertaining enough to keep someone amused.
August 15, 2021
This board book is an adorable version of "Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet." Weaving in Halloween themes and batty, back matter, this book will appeal to young animal-loving kids. Bright, colorful illustrations accompany the rhyming text. A fun read-aloud!
October 14, 2023
This book reads differently after having a bat in our house a few months ago.
October 21, 2021
Some folks may be familiar with variations of the Halloween chant/song which begins with ”Trick or treat, smell my feet…”. But have you ever heard or read a rhyming version featuring sweet, smiling bats? In their picture book Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat, author Tracy C. Gold and illustrator Nancy Leschnikoff, bring readers a bat-tastically adorable rhyming version. Opening on a shadowy yet homey cave of darling (I mean, ridiculously adorable!) bats, we follow one endearing little bat from a flock as they take readers on a busy, bug-filled nighttime journey. As our little bat fills up on crickets, flies with round, red eyes, and crunchy beetles- and even potentially stingy wasps!- we are not only treated to Leschnikoff’s exuberant, enchanting art and Gold’s energetic, jaunty rhymes but also to introductory information about bats, echolocation, and their eating habits. For readers who enjoy stories featuring bats and/or for readers looking for a pleasingly bouncy, rhyming story (one that would make for a fun read aloud!) for Halloween, Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat is a great pick. Back matter includes facts about bats (including illustrations and descriptions of bats found in the United States); a concise look at echolocation; as well as reminders of what to do (and what not to do!) should you spot a bat while out on Halloween.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.,
November 15, 2023
“Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat” is a spooktacular bat book for kids. Tracy C. Gold (author) and Nancy Leschnikoff (illustrator) collaborated to create a Halloween tale that is educational and entertaining.
I read this book to a group of mixed age students. My preschoolers thought the “Trick or Treat” title was hilarious and recited the old lines, “Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat…”
One of my second graders read the book out loud, following along with the poetry. She especially liked the rhymes on each page.
As the story progressed, we looked at the adorable illustrations. They set a magical atmosphere for the children to imagine themselves in.
At the end of the book, we learned some bat facts. I asked the kids afterward what they liked the most:
Elissa (age 7): Bats sleep in the day and go out at night.
Jasmine (age 5): There are bats next to my house. Sometimes they can get caught in your hair.
Quinton (age 5): Bats eat bugs! Eww.
Elissa (age 7): My brother ate a bug once.
I read this book to a group of mixed age students. My preschoolers thought the “Trick or Treat” title was hilarious and recited the old lines, “Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat…”
One of my second graders read the book out loud, following along with the poetry. She especially liked the rhymes on each page.
As the story progressed, we looked at the adorable illustrations. They set a magical atmosphere for the children to imagine themselves in.
At the end of the book, we learned some bat facts. I asked the kids afterward what they liked the most:
Elissa (age 7): Bats sleep in the day and go out at night.
Jasmine (age 5): There are bats next to my house. Sometimes they can get caught in your hair.
Quinton (age 5): Bats eat bugs! Eww.
Elissa (age 7): My brother ate a bug once.
October 30, 2025
This was absolutely adorable, and I am in love.
It's sweet, informative, and a perfect Halloween vibes story to teach kids about bats and their purpose on the earth. I love that it's written to the tune of "Trick or treat, smell my feet," as I imagine a lot of kids still sing this little chant today. Yet, instead of candy and having your underwear pulled down, we have a bat munching and crunching on bugs, having fun all night long on Halloween.
At the end of the book, the author has even provided bat facts. It is all around fun, and I can see myself reading this many more times to come. I would recommend adding this to your Halloween book collection for kids. It was enjoyable to read as an adult, and I can see little ones enjoying it too. Like, for instance, the illustrations alone are to die for. I would've been happy with just them, and the story only makes all of this all the better.
It's sweet, informative, and a perfect Halloween vibes story to teach kids about bats and their purpose on the earth. I love that it's written to the tune of "Trick or treat, smell my feet," as I imagine a lot of kids still sing this little chant today. Yet, instead of candy and having your underwear pulled down, we have a bat munching and crunching on bugs, having fun all night long on Halloween.
At the end of the book, the author has even provided bat facts. It is all around fun, and I can see myself reading this many more times to come. I would recommend adding this to your Halloween book collection for kids. It was enjoyable to read as an adult, and I can see little ones enjoying it too. Like, for instance, the illustrations alone are to die for. I would've been happy with just them, and the story only makes all of this all the better.
April 6, 2021
I was drawn to this book for the adorable artwork on the cover (which continues throughout). The delightful bat from the cover takes the reader on a Halloween journey through the many bugs he finds for a midnight snack -- yum yum!
The story is told in rhymes, and the book concludes with several facts about the bats found in North America. The book mentions that bats eat the bugs that bite you and that children should thank them for helping, which is a great way to teach children not to be afraid of bats.
Readers will also learn a little about echolocation, bats' dark living spaces, and bat anatomy (they have thumbs like us!).
Recommended for all readers, especially children who love Halloween and/or animals.
The story is told in rhymes, and the book concludes with several facts about the bats found in North America. The book mentions that bats eat the bugs that bite you and that children should thank them for helping, which is a great way to teach children not to be afraid of bats.
Readers will also learn a little about echolocation, bats' dark living spaces, and bat anatomy (they have thumbs like us!).
Recommended for all readers, especially children who love Halloween and/or animals.
June 16, 2021
If you're not a bat lover, you may end up being one after you read this story. If Leschnikoff's utterly cute portrayal of furry purple and pink wide-eyed bats don't get you, Gold's sweet and rhyming fact-filled text are sure to help you see the benefits of this winged wonder. I love this clever idea that while children (and adults) are feasting upon yummy morsels on Halloween, bats are, too. The story (told from the perspective of the bat), will take you on a Halloween adventure to learn all about what sorts of things the bats are feasting on! With expanded back matter about different bat species, anatomy, and habitats, the story makes for a great companion to school and library bookshelves and curriculums.
August 14, 2021
We have an extensive collection of children’s Halloween books, and I am hard pressed to find any new books that are worth adding to it. Tracy Gold’s Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat is an exception to that rule. The story follows a young bat on Halloween, following a lyrical prose reminiscent of childhood. The illustrations add to the story with beautiful colors and cute drawings. Even better, the book introduces bat facts, which as a scientist I absolutely loved seeing.
Our youngest, at seven years old, is above the target age range, but she still thought the book was adorable and liked reading it with me. This is definitely going on the list to send to niblings.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.
Our youngest, at seven years old, is above the target age range, but she still thought the book was adorable and liked reading it with me. This is definitely going on the list to send to niblings.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was provided by the publisher. Originally posted at Novel Obsession.
August 16, 2021
"Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat" by Tracy C. Gold, with pictures by Nancy Leschnikoff is an engaging rhyming book, that uses a Halloween night setting to share facts about the most misunderstood of mammals: bats. The book mostly focuses on the different kinds of insects that one cute purple bat likes to snack on. In addition the rhyming text describes the process by which bats "see". An informational section at the back of the book describes different types of bats and where they live, as well as how they contribute postively to the ecosystem. This book is great for pre-school and kindergarten age students, particularly those who might have a fear of bats. Consider adding this accessible nonfiction text to your Halloween book displays.
July 20, 2021
Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat by Tracy C Gold is an adorable Halloween story that also teaches young children about bats. First of all, the illustrations are so cute. The bats are ridiculously enchanting and just beautifully drawn. The book tells how bats are good because they eat bugs. I even learned that a single bag can eat up to 1000 mosquitoes in one hour. Amazing! The book also tells a little about where bats live, how bats have thumbs, and echolocation. Overall, this was a sweet book that is informative and I feel young readers will enjoy looking at the illustrations while they learn about bats.
August 9, 2021
"Beetles crunch, beetles much. I'll have them for midnight lunch." I love this spread and all the other spreads where we can learn about bats while having fun with the rhyming and lyrical manuscript. I was singing a song the whole time I was reading. So well done. And the illustrations show cute bats. And even though they devour all kinds of bugs, everything is very kid-friendly . The backmatter about bats is a great addition. What a great way to intertwine fiction and non-fiction, Halloween and rhymes, songs and facts. I give this book 100 bugs!!! I have received an ARC for my honest opinion. And honestly, this book is such a TREAT.
September 12, 2021
An adorable recounting of a bat's night of bug hunting. This book starts with the familiar Halloween ditty "Trick or treat! Smell my feet!" and then goes on to use the rhythm and rhyme scheme as a bat shares its nighttime adventures. The bat delightedly soars through the air feasting on flies, crunching crickets, and wolfing down wasps. The back matter provides additional facts about bats and encouragers kids to thank bats for getting rid of biting bugs. Tracy C. Gold's fun bouncy rhythm and rhyme make the words feel like a bat swooping through the night. And Nancy Leschnikoff's charming illustrations have a gorgeous palette and the cutest bats I've ever seen.
July 21, 2021
This is a sweet, cute story all about bats using a childhood rhyme that we typically reserve for Halloween. In truth, this story is good at any time of year: it follows along with the most adorable bat ever! on a nighttime run for food. It just so happens to be Halloween night. The illustrations are colorful, lively and fun! I would totally want one of those bats, if it weren't....a bat. :-) But make me a plush one and I'll take it! The back pages are great with fun facts about bats and a reminder that animals help us (humans) by doing the things they normally do in the natural world.
August 18, 2021
Great illustrations and fun rhymes
This is a sweet rhyming book about a bat’s eating adventures on Halloween. The first part of the book is a rhyming story about the bat, and that is followed by informational pages about bats. The illustrations are very well done and engaging. My kids loved looking at all the animals in the pictures. My son really enjoyed reading the facts at the end and learning about bats.
Overall, my kids enjoyed the book. I found some of the rhymes clunky and difficult to read aloud. I am giving this book 3 stars.
This is a sweet rhyming book about a bat’s eating adventures on Halloween. The first part of the book is a rhyming story about the bat, and that is followed by informational pages about bats. The illustrations are very well done and engaging. My kids loved looking at all the animals in the pictures. My son really enjoyed reading the facts at the end and learning about bats.
Overall, my kids enjoyed the book. I found some of the rhymes clunky and difficult to read aloud. I am giving this book 3 stars.
October 4, 2021
This treat of a tale follows one very hungry bat on a Halloween night feast. Gold’s clever rhyme schemes are full of bat facts, and Leschinkoff’s bold illustrations help young readers make sense of the science. No doubt readers will beg to join along in repeated readings. With backmatter that provides additional information about these creatures of the night, Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat is the perfect book for you and your family to get excited about any nighttime adventure, not just on Halloween.
April 13, 2022
Super cute Halloween book, with Bat Facts!! Do read it through before grabbing it for storytime - most of the content is about eating bugs and you may want to be prepped to calmly answer any horrified questions or redirect any squeamish squeals.
Bat facts in the back are USA-centric, but otherwise wonderfully written. Sometimes I can't imagine dense info sections being read out loud to the toddlers who are the target audience of the story, but this one flows very nicely. And the illustrations are so beautiful!
Bat facts in the back are USA-centric, but otherwise wonderfully written. Sometimes I can't imagine dense info sections being read out loud to the toddlers who are the target audience of the story, but this one flows very nicely. And the illustrations are so beautiful!
August 13, 2021
Not your ordinary Halloween story. I purchased this for a grandson who is five and does NOT like bugs. What a fabulously cute and informational book. Did you know that one bat can eat up to a thousand mosquitoes in ONE hour! I LOVE bats!! This is a playful rhyming book that follows a cute bat on Halloween night as they eat bugs… “Trick or treat! Smell my feet! Give me lots of bugs to eat!” The book ends with some bat-tastic bat facts.
August 17, 2021
I LOVED this children's book because it's almost like a two-in-one. The first (and main) part of the book is a cute Halloween story about a bat who eats bugs set to the classic "trick or treat, smell my feet" song. There are 5 full pages at the end with bat facts that are completely illustrated and filled with informative text. The illustrations are stylized and great as well.
Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
January 7, 2022
Super cute book that I bought for my little one through Scholastic.
We family used to rehab wildlife and transported a couple of bats and released another one after finding it in our cabin while on a weekend get away so I have a soft spot for bata. I loved that it featured a bat as the focus of the book in a positive light and was filled with factual information, presented in an easy to understand and age appropriate way.
We family used to rehab wildlife and transported a couple of bats and released another one after finding it in our cabin while on a weekend get away so I have a soft spot for bata. I loved that it featured a bat as the focus of the book in a positive light and was filled with factual information, presented in an easy to understand and age appropriate way.
June 23, 2021
My daughter, an inveterate nature nerd, would have loved this book as a toddler. Far more about bats than about Halloween, the youngest kids will like the simple, rhyming text and cute illustrations while their older siblings will soak up the facts about bats at the end. Cute, fun, and informative; this will make a nice treat for a little one on Halloween.
June 24, 2021
Little nature lovers will enjoy revisiting this fun nonfiction book told in lyrical rhyme.
Kids will learn about bats' smorgasbord bug diet and be drawn in by the beautiful illustrations throughout. The bat back matter will provide an excellent springboard for discussion about the balance of nature. This is a must for parents, librarians and teachers!
Kids will learn about bats' smorgasbord bug diet and be drawn in by the beautiful illustrations throughout. The bat back matter will provide an excellent springboard for discussion about the balance of nature. This is a must for parents, librarians and teachers!
July 10, 2021
This expansion of the popular Halloween kid song is delightful, and the illustrations are full of energy and life. This picture book is sure to please all ages, 0 and up! I imagine older siblings will especially get a kick out of reading this book to the younger ones in their families. All around, a great read-aloud that will get lots of love, day or night.
July 13, 2021
I’ll admit it—I don’t like bats OR bugs…but these bats are simply adorable. And the bouncy verse and age-appropriate info all about their yucky-bug-eating abilities just makes me happy. My insect-obsessed preschooler enjoyed this one quite a bit too. Have a feeling we'll all know it by heart by Halloween. ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews