Five Little Bats Flying in the Night

by Steve Metzger, Laura Bryant (Illustrator)

Children can count down from 5 to 1 as five little bats get into mischief!

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Animals, Counting

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

I grew up in Queens, NY in the 1950s with my “baby” sister, Lois. She is now a wonderful writer of young adult novels and nonfiction. My mother was born in Vienna, Austria, and my father came from Brooklyn – an interesting match! My best friends were Neil, Robbie, Krebs, and Paul. I’m still good friends with most of these guys. It was less hectic in those days – no computers, no emails, fewer TV channels (MANY fewer!) We had lots of fun playing ball and listening to records. I’ll never forget when the Beatles came to America – Beatlemania!
After graduating from Baruch College in NYC, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I bounced around doing odd jobs, including taxi driver, dishwasher, and hotel desk clerk. One day, while relaxing in Central Park (OK, I was unemployed), I saw a group of children from a local daycare center. It struck me that I always liked children -- perhaps I could make a career out of something I liked. Eureka! Ever since then, I’ve been involved, in one way or another, with the lives of young children.

I received my Masters in Education from Bank Street College and taught preschool kids for a bunch of years. I loved the childrens' innocence and vivid imaginations. After moving into school administration for a few years, I began working at Scholastic, where I have been ever since.

At Scholastic, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to write children’s books. The first book that I wrote was "The Dinofours: I’m Super Dino!" Twenty-seven other Dinofours’ books followed. I hope my respect and appreciation for young children shines through in my stories.

Nowadays, I’m lucky to be married to my beautiful and talented wife, Nancy (she’s also a writer). In 1998, we were blessed with a terrific daughter, Julia, who helps criticize my story ideas and lets me play with her once in a while.

And furthermore…any recollections of my life would not be complete without mentioning my grandmother, Mutti. She was an ever present source of love, appreciation, and wisdom.

Reviews

[Magdalena Saito · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute pictures, but the lack of rhyming was harder to read. Kids seemed to like it just fine.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is supposed to be a take on "5 little monkeys jumping on the bed", only this one is bats and the author throws the rhyming pattern out the window. The book ends up making very little sense and is infuriating to read.

[Sheli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute counting book but I wish it rhymed more.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute book about little bats. Much like 5 little Minnie's jumping in the bed, these bats find troubles flying in the sky. I wish the book rhymed.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun twist on five little monkeys jumping on the bed! Except it is bats and a great themed book for Fall. I would use this book for a good tie between math and literacy.

[Kelly]

Based on "Five Little Monkeys" and done in same format. The pics at least are cute and the doctor says something different each time. Just an average book.

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read to kindergarten boy who helped read. The big snake about to eat the bat was great.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute counting book. Should have more counting vocabulary.

[Emily Eidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me on the monkeys jumping on the bed book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little counting story about 5 little bats reminiscent of "5 little Monkeys".