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Dragonbreath #4
Lair of the Bat Monster
Danny Dragonbreath is hoping to see lots of cool bats when he and his best friend, Wendell, visit Danny's cousin, a bat specialist in Mexico. But he isn't expecting to get up close and personal with a giant bat monster, who kidnaps Danny and carries him off to her lair! Now nerdy Wendell will finally get a chance to be a hero . . . but only if he can hunt down the bat monster before she permanently adopts Danny as her bat monster baby.
Ursula Vernon has packed the fourth book in this laugh-until-smoke-comes-out-of-your-nose series with fantastic bat facts and hilarity of the highest order. Wimpy Kid fans everywhere will love this decidedly un-wimpy (but often unlucky!) dragon. Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid and Bad Kitty .
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Ursula Vernon has packed the fourth book in this laugh-until-smoke-comes-out-of-your-nose series with fantastic bat facts and hilarity of the highest order. Wimpy Kid fans everywhere will love this decidedly un-wimpy (but often unlucky!) dragon. Perfect for fans of Wimpy Kid and Bad Kitty .
Watch a Video
204 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2011
75 people are currently reading
689 people want to read
About the author
Ursula Vernon
75 books1,492 followersUrsula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher, is an author and illustrator. She has written over fifteen books for children, at least a dozen novels for adults, an epic webcomic called “Digger” and various short stories and other odds and ends.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
December 14, 2012
12/13/12
I finished reading Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster by Ursula Vernon the story is about Danny and Wendell found a bat at their pool they both go to Mexico to see Steve (a bat expert) one night Danny gets token away by the bat monster Wendell and Steve had to save Danny will they or will they not find out if you read the book. One way I'm like Danny is that I like bats like him. Vernon describes inner thought well like when Danny was token away by the bat monster the bat gave him a fish to eat he thought that is not tasty its gross plus its raw,I cant eat a raw fish I rather eat it cooked. Vernon also is good at normal action like the part when Wendell got so bored of waiting for the bat monster to return to its cave that he started to play around in the sand. My favorite part is when the two bat monsters were fighting in the cave and Danny and Wendell sprinted but they had to watch out for falling boulders. I give this book 3 stars because its pretty boring at the beginning and the middle but the end is great.
I finished reading Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster by Ursula Vernon the story is about Danny and Wendell found a bat at their pool they both go to Mexico to see Steve (a bat expert) one night Danny gets token away by the bat monster Wendell and Steve had to save Danny will they or will they not find out if you read the book. One way I'm like Danny is that I like bats like him. Vernon describes inner thought well like when Danny was token away by the bat monster the bat gave him a fish to eat he thought that is not tasty its gross plus its raw,I cant eat a raw fish I rather eat it cooked. Vernon also is good at normal action like the part when Wendell got so bored of waiting for the bat monster to return to its cave that he started to play around in the sand. My favorite part is when the two bat monsters were fighting in the cave and Danny and Wendell sprinted but they had to watch out for falling boulders. I give this book 3 stars because its pretty boring at the beginning and the middle but the end is great.
July 31, 2016
I love how much RANDOM SCIENCE and mythology makes its way into these!
July 7, 2011
It's cute and has scary parts.
August 16, 2012
This was a good one. I liked that Danny had to be rescued. Would have liked to have seen what happened to the bat monsters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2015
In which we meet the nicest Aztec bat-god, and also some snakes. And a tiny angry injured bat.
December 6, 2012
I'm currently reading this great book called Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster by Ursula Vernon. I'm around the middle of it and currently the 2 main characters (Danny and Wendall) have met Danny's cousin Steve and have been researching bats together. At dusk they all went to the bat cave that all the bats live in and watched the bats fly out of it. The bats returned a few minutes later and they seemed to be disturbed by something. They went out to see what was bothering them and then they saw a giant legendary bat that kidnapped Danny. I haven't got any farther than that but I think that Steve and Wendell will go following the path of destruction that the giant bat has left and attempt to save Danny. I was a little freaked out when the bat came because it said that they thought it was a huge group of miners that were coming to blow up the cave to find gold, but then Danny got kidnapped and I knew it was the bat. The reason I gave this book 5 stars even though I'm only in the middle of it is because it has very good writing and it's fun to read if you have no other books to read. I hope that you read this book someday (I'm not asking for you to read it now).
June 30, 2015
Another hilarious younger reader adventure by Ursula Vernon, science geek and artist extraordinaire. The fast paced fun, entertaining dialogue, quirky characters and events are sure to appeal to children, particularly boys, aged 6+. The delightful illustrations enhance the text and bring the story to life.
After rescuing a bat from a swimming pool, Danny Dragonbreath and his brainy and sensible friend Wendall, take the bus down to Mexico where they journey deep into the rainforest to meet up wtih Danny's cousin, Steve. Steve is studying bats, and introduces them to some of the cutest, and some of the ugliest, members of the species. But things turn bad when an enormous bat kidnaps Danny and carries him off into the forest.
After rescuing a bat from a swimming pool, Danny Dragonbreath and his brainy and sensible friend Wendall, take the bus down to Mexico where they journey deep into the rainforest to meet up wtih Danny's cousin, Steve. Steve is studying bats, and introduces them to some of the cutest, and some of the ugliest, members of the species. But things turn bad when an enormous bat kidnaps Danny and carries him off into the forest.
August 3, 2018
This is a really fun book series. My kids love it so I thought I would check it out, and I'm glad I did!
August 28, 2019
Fun, smart, empathetic, seems to be appropriate for younger ones but I can say as a 49-year-old (eep) I found plenty to enjoy too. (In fact this applies to the whole series.)
May 10, 2011
When 4th graders come up to me and want something funny, I am glad to suggest the Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon. It's a fun illustrated novel, with enough of a feel of a comic book to lighten anyone's mood. Best of all, Ursula Vernon really gets what makes kids laugh - gross slime, creepy dark caves, and best friends who need rescuing from all sorts of situations. The latest in this series - Dragonbreath: Lair of the Bat Monster - is sure to please kids who want humor, comics and a dash of adventure.
One hot summer day, Danny Dragonbreath and his best pal Wendell are swimming in the local neighborhood pool when they discover a stranded bat stuck in the pool filter. Danny's mom suggests that they take it to his cousin Steve, a scientist studying bats in the remote jungles of Mexico. Steve is definitely a cool guy who shares the same sense of humor as Danny. Wendell is definitely worried that he's going to get eaten alive by mosquitoes or some other type of bug. But then, Wendell is definitely a worrier. And Danny's the one cut out for adventure. Everything changes, though, when Danny is kidnapped by a giant bat monster and Wendell has to find the courage to save Danny.
Ursula Vernon does a terrific job of making kids laugh and squirm at the gross, stinky descriptions, and the friends snarky banter. But Vernon also works fun science into the mix. I know a lot of kids will think it's pretty cool that Steve is out in the jungle studying bats, trying to find new species. Really, though, what draws kids in and hooks them are Vernon's illustrations. The book is full of bold, two-color drawings in green and black. I especially love Danny and Wendell's oversized, expressive eyes. There are illustrations on nearly every page, some as comic book panels, and others as spot art sprinkled throughout the text.
One hot summer day, Danny Dragonbreath and his best pal Wendell are swimming in the local neighborhood pool when they discover a stranded bat stuck in the pool filter. Danny's mom suggests that they take it to his cousin Steve, a scientist studying bats in the remote jungles of Mexico. Steve is definitely a cool guy who shares the same sense of humor as Danny. Wendell is definitely worried that he's going to get eaten alive by mosquitoes or some other type of bug. But then, Wendell is definitely a worrier. And Danny's the one cut out for adventure. Everything changes, though, when Danny is kidnapped by a giant bat monster and Wendell has to find the courage to save Danny.
Ursula Vernon does a terrific job of making kids laugh and squirm at the gross, stinky descriptions, and the friends snarky banter. But Vernon also works fun science into the mix. I know a lot of kids will think it's pretty cool that Steve is out in the jungle studying bats, trying to find new species. Really, though, what draws kids in and hooks them are Vernon's illustrations. The book is full of bold, two-color drawings in green and black. I especially love Danny and Wendell's oversized, expressive eyes. There are illustrations on nearly every page, some as comic book panels, and others as spot art sprinkled throughout the text.
April 29, 2011
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
This is the fourth book in the series and Ms. Vernon is still going strong. I'll say this was not my favourite of the bunch but it is still a worthy entry in the series. Danny and Wendell save a tiny bat from drowning and true to the form that the series ventured from in book three, Danny asks him mom for a relative who can help them save the bat's life. So she sends them off to visit cousin Steve in the rain forests of Mexico as he is conducting research on bats there. Whilst there, the three come upon the existence of a new giant species of bat that kidnaps Danny.
Fortunately Steve and Danny get along amazingly well from the beginning because, as Wendell notices, they share the same attitude and humour. This helps carry the story and keep the dynamics rolling along as the reader is used to when Wendell and Steve are partnered up for a good portion of the book searching for Danny. Of course, as expected, the plot is full of action from start to finish in this part text, part graphic novel chapter book. The humour is off-key and as hilarious as ever with Danny/Steve and Wendell's character's being so completely different.
Perhaps I've gotten used to the silliness of these stories and that is why this one didn't quite thrill me as much as the last two. Another difference is that this book does manage to add quite a lot of actual scientific information about real bats into the story. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, just different for a Dragonbreath book. The end of the book warns us that next time Danny will have a "Haunting" adventure, which sounds promising as the fifth book will be released in August is called "No Such Thing As Ghosts".
This is the fourth book in the series and Ms. Vernon is still going strong. I'll say this was not my favourite of the bunch but it is still a worthy entry in the series. Danny and Wendell save a tiny bat from drowning and true to the form that the series ventured from in book three, Danny asks him mom for a relative who can help them save the bat's life. So she sends them off to visit cousin Steve in the rain forests of Mexico as he is conducting research on bats there. Whilst there, the three come upon the existence of a new giant species of bat that kidnaps Danny.
Fortunately Steve and Danny get along amazingly well from the beginning because, as Wendell notices, they share the same attitude and humour. This helps carry the story and keep the dynamics rolling along as the reader is used to when Wendell and Steve are partnered up for a good portion of the book searching for Danny. Of course, as expected, the plot is full of action from start to finish in this part text, part graphic novel chapter book. The humour is off-key and as hilarious as ever with Danny/Steve and Wendell's character's being so completely different.
Perhaps I've gotten used to the silliness of these stories and that is why this one didn't quite thrill me as much as the last two. Another difference is that this book does manage to add quite a lot of actual scientific information about real bats into the story. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, just different for a Dragonbreath book. The end of the book warns us that next time Danny will have a "Haunting" adventure, which sounds promising as the fifth book will be released in August is called "No Such Thing As Ghosts".
January 12, 2020
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What will you do if a giant bat monster, a giant false vampire bat carries you off in the middle of the night (when you are investigating her cave, no wonder) and treats you like her child? Sure, she still scares you but she also tries to feed you like a mother does, protects you like a mother does and doesn't let you leave. What will you do? Will you panic or will you try find adventure in that dangerous situation as well like Danny does? Let's also keep in mind that Danny doesn't KNOW that's what she is doing.
In the fourth book of the Dragonbreath series, Ursula Vernon takes Danny and Wendell to Mexico to meet Danny's cousin, Steve who is a bat expert. Danny convinces him to show the duo the bat cave in the middle of the night. Things take a turn for the bad when they also happen to find an engendered species of the false vampire bat that night.
The book is as hilarious as all the past books of the series. Danny's sense of adventure hasn't reduced. If anything, his excitement towards monsters has only increased in this one. It is fun to see him and Wendell tackling the giant bats while ensuring they also survive the night. I absolutely loved it! (I still hate the lack of female presence in the books!)
P.S. I did think, however, that the distinction between some animals as "people" and others as "primitive" or "animals" was a little racist. Not sure if that will make me recommend it for kids or not.
What will you do if a giant bat monster, a giant false vampire bat carries you off in the middle of the night (when you are investigating her cave, no wonder) and treats you like her child? Sure, she still scares you but she also tries to feed you like a mother does, protects you like a mother does and doesn't let you leave. What will you do? Will you panic or will you try find adventure in that dangerous situation as well like Danny does? Let's also keep in mind that Danny doesn't KNOW that's what she is doing.
In the fourth book of the Dragonbreath series, Ursula Vernon takes Danny and Wendell to Mexico to meet Danny's cousin, Steve who is a bat expert. Danny convinces him to show the duo the bat cave in the middle of the night. Things take a turn for the bad when they also happen to find an engendered species of the false vampire bat that night.
The book is as hilarious as all the past books of the series. Danny's sense of adventure hasn't reduced. If anything, his excitement towards monsters has only increased in this one. It is fun to see him and Wendell tackling the giant bats while ensuring they also survive the night. I absolutely loved it! (I still hate the lack of female presence in the books!)
P.S. I did think, however, that the distinction between some animals as "people" and others as "primitive" or "animals" was a little racist. Not sure if that will make me recommend it for kids or not.
April 6, 2011
This is the fourth book in the Dragonbreath series. I enjoyed this one as much as the others. I loved it.
This time best friends, Danny a dragon, and Wendell, an iguana find an injured bat at pool. They take the bat back to Danny's to see is his mother can help. She tells them to take the bat to Danny's cousin Steve, a bat expert. Steve lives in Mexico, so once again Danny and Wendell will be taking the very reliable and unexplainable bus system all dragons use.
Steve's patches up the bat and teaches Danny and Wendell some nice bat facts. They even get to see the bat cave. A gigantic bat monster comes out of nowhere, scary everyone including the other bats. The bat monster takes Danny back to her lair. She thinks he's her son.
The author always keeps things interesting by changing it up a bit. In the third story Danny and Wendell didn't have to get on the bus, that was a first. In this one the Danny and Wendell were split up for the first time.
The back and forth between the best friends is one of the books many strengths. Yet Vernon decided to spilt them up it worked very well. Also it was a nice surprise to see that Wendell had to be the hero.
Even without the illustrations, this is a visually fun read. There's just the right amount of danger and laughs. Fans of Dragonbreath series will love this new addition. A great choice for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
This time best friends, Danny a dragon, and Wendell, an iguana find an injured bat at pool. They take the bat back to Danny's to see is his mother can help. She tells them to take the bat to Danny's cousin Steve, a bat expert. Steve lives in Mexico, so once again Danny and Wendell will be taking the very reliable and unexplainable bus system all dragons use.
Steve's patches up the bat and teaches Danny and Wendell some nice bat facts. They even get to see the bat cave. A gigantic bat monster comes out of nowhere, scary everyone including the other bats. The bat monster takes Danny back to her lair. She thinks he's her son.
The author always keeps things interesting by changing it up a bit. In the third story Danny and Wendell didn't have to get on the bus, that was a first. In this one the Danny and Wendell were split up for the first time.
The back and forth between the best friends is one of the books many strengths. Yet Vernon decided to spilt them up it worked very well. Also it was a nice surprise to see that Wendell had to be the hero.
Even without the illustrations, this is a visually fun read. There's just the right amount of danger and laughs. Fans of Dragonbreath series will love this new addition. A great choice for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
January 25, 2013
Part-graphic novel, part chapter book, this is an entertaining and somewhat educational story about an adolescent anthropomorphic dragon and his iguana pal. It's the fourth book in the Dragonbreath series by Ursula Vernon.
We borrowed this book from our local library as an ebook and our girls really liked reading the full-color book on a tablet. The story is a quick read and the graphic novel-like scenes are woven throughout the story in a seamless way. This would be a great book for a child who likes graphic novels, but not chapter books, since you get a little bit of both here.
The humor is quite juvenile, but even I had to chuckle at the goofiness. Our girls really liked this book and we really enjoyed reading it together. I especially like that advanced vocabulary words are sprinkled throughout the tale, providing a little challenge without being too frustrating for younger readers. We are looking forward to reading Dragonbreath: No Such Thing as Ghosts next.
interesting quote:
"It was like old cheese soaked in cat urine wrapped in gym socks dipped in boiled cabbage...If the world ever ended, it would probably smell like this." (Loc 394)
We borrowed this book from our local library as an ebook and our girls really liked reading the full-color book on a tablet. The story is a quick read and the graphic novel-like scenes are woven throughout the story in a seamless way. This would be a great book for a child who likes graphic novels, but not chapter books, since you get a little bit of both here.
The humor is quite juvenile, but even I had to chuckle at the goofiness. Our girls really liked this book and we really enjoyed reading it together. I especially like that advanced vocabulary words are sprinkled throughout the tale, providing a little challenge without being too frustrating for younger readers. We are looking forward to reading Dragonbreath: No Such Thing as Ghosts next.
interesting quote:
"It was like old cheese soaked in cat urine wrapped in gym socks dipped in boiled cabbage...If the world ever ended, it would probably smell like this." (Loc 394)
July 4, 2011
As posted on Outside of a Dog:
Danny the dragon is back in another adventure from funny gal Ursula Vernon. Lair of the Bat Monster finds our hero, along with his best friend Wendell and his cousin Steve, in Mexico. After saving a small brown bat (actually of the species "big brown bat"), Danny and Wendell want to learn more about bats, so they accompany bat expert Steve to the caves where he does his research and while there, they discover the stuff of legend. The Camazotz, the enormous lord of the bats once worshipped by the Zapotec people. Unfortunately, the Camazotz takes a liking to Danny, and Wendell and Steve are soon on a quest to rescue the little dragon from its fuzzy clutches. Like the other adventures of Danny Dragonbreath, Lair of the Bat Monster is full of jumps and laughs and jokes both elegant and ordinary. Wendell is a wonderful source of amusement, as he worries about mosquitoes, losing limbs and being eaten alive by bugs. Vernon's expressive illustrations go a long way towards creating the mood, and she has the design of her main characters down to an exact science. Every placement of the pupil in an eyeball is designed for full effect. This is a great series for fans of Wimpy Kid, comic books and funny bones in general.
Danny the dragon is back in another adventure from funny gal Ursula Vernon. Lair of the Bat Monster finds our hero, along with his best friend Wendell and his cousin Steve, in Mexico. After saving a small brown bat (actually of the species "big brown bat"), Danny and Wendell want to learn more about bats, so they accompany bat expert Steve to the caves where he does his research and while there, they discover the stuff of legend. The Camazotz, the enormous lord of the bats once worshipped by the Zapotec people. Unfortunately, the Camazotz takes a liking to Danny, and Wendell and Steve are soon on a quest to rescue the little dragon from its fuzzy clutches. Like the other adventures of Danny Dragonbreath, Lair of the Bat Monster is full of jumps and laughs and jokes both elegant and ordinary. Wendell is a wonderful source of amusement, as he worries about mosquitoes, losing limbs and being eaten alive by bugs. Vernon's expressive illustrations go a long way towards creating the mood, and she has the design of her main characters down to an exact science. Every placement of the pupil in an eyeball is designed for full effect. This is a great series for fans of Wimpy Kid, comic books and funny bones in general.
February 25, 2013
This one is about bats. I learned a few things about bats while reading it, and enjoyed it. Just so you know, the lettering on the library edition is blue-and-white, instead of yellow.
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It's Summertime. School is out, and everyone is chillin' down at the local pool. That's where Danny finds a hurt young bat that has holes in its' wing and cannot fly.
He takes it home to his mother, asking for help. She instructs him to go on a bus to see his cousin, Steve, in Mexico. Steve is studying bats.
Lots of wonderful adventures happen there, including a large "Comazotz" bat thinking Danny is her child, and carrying him back to her roost, where Wendell tries to save him. They end up encountering the "Comazotz" bat's large mate and having a near-death experience, but the original bat saves them.
Steve returns their bat, and sends them home.
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I love how they always get to travel off to fun places and have crazy adventures.
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I checked this volume out from the Decatur Public Library in the temporary location in the Decatur Mall.
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It's Summertime. School is out, and everyone is chillin' down at the local pool. That's where Danny finds a hurt young bat that has holes in its' wing and cannot fly.
He takes it home to his mother, asking for help. She instructs him to go on a bus to see his cousin, Steve, in Mexico. Steve is studying bats.
Lots of wonderful adventures happen there, including a large "Comazotz" bat thinking Danny is her child, and carrying him back to her roost, where Wendell tries to save him. They end up encountering the "Comazotz" bat's large mate and having a near-death experience, but the original bat saves them.
Steve returns their bat, and sends them home.
------------
I love how they always get to travel off to fun places and have crazy adventures.
-----------
I checked this volume out from the Decatur Public Library in the temporary location in the Decatur Mall.
October 23, 2011
Dragonbreath Lair Of The Bat Monster by Ursula Vernon is the fourth book in the Dragonbreath graphic novel series aimed at middle graders. The premise of the series is basically that Danny is a dragon who ends up going on all kinds of adventures with his levelheaded BFF Wendell the Iguana, who usually ends up pulling Danny out of scrapes. In Lair Of The Bat Monster Danny and Wendell find a bat trapped in a pool filter. Confused about what to do, they end up in Mexico to see Danny’s cousin Steve, a bat expert. Of course, adventures ensue involving a bat monster and it’s lair.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here
July 8, 2014
"Camazotz" means "death bat" Isn't that the most awesome thing ever?
***
Natasha and I share a hardcore love for these books. They are silly and imaginative and adventurous. We love that the bus will take Danny and Wendell anywhere in two hours: a fantasy Japan or a Mexican research station. But mostly, we love that there was a whole story about bats. Reading this aloud to Natasha enabled us to recapture the fun of Franny K. Stein's Crate of Danger, a series that delighted us.
Library copy.
***
Natasha and I share a hardcore love for these books. They are silly and imaginative and adventurous. We love that the bus will take Danny and Wendell anywhere in two hours: a fantasy Japan or a Mexican research station. But mostly, we love that there was a whole story about bats. Reading this aloud to Natasha enabled us to recapture the fun of Franny K. Stein's Crate of Danger, a series that delighted us.
Library copy.
September 20, 2013
This addition to the "Dragonbreath" series is good like the first book of the series is: a combination of information on a focused topic and the unbelievable. "Lair of the Bat Monster" teaches young readers all about bats in humorous (sometimes laugh-out-loud) ways through endearing characters and cheeky dialogue. I appreciate that Vernon mixes up her normal series formula in this book. The two main characters, Danny Dragonbreath and Wendell the iguana, get separated in this adventure, and Wendell is the hero for once. My 6 year-old daughter loved the drawings of the different species of bats. Definitely, one of our favorites of the series so far.
May 27, 2014
This one was kind of sad. I felt bad for the giant bats and although it is complete and utter fiction i would hope they have a happy ending to their journey. I'm a sucker for a good sob story and i was not expecting a sad story since all of the others have either been funny or "scary"
August 23, 2021
Fun as always, though in addition I found this one to be more educational than most of the series books have been so far. I also appreciate the rescue workers she mentioned in the dedication. I also appreciated the way the POV splits in this one, so that we get more of Wendell's POV, too.
September 1, 2025
This is a cute Dragonbreath version of Bats: Learning to Fly, with much of what feels like the same kind of content (Danny and Wendell rescue a bat, and Steve teaches many facts about bats). I'm not sure I would ever "Laugh until SMOKE comes out of your nose!" like the cover says, but maybe my older reader self has just grown out of some of the younger reader "humour" of some of these books, like how a VERY LOT of things in the jungle will inflict bodily harm on you without suitable protection (and when Wendell freaks out about the idea of ALL of it, wondering why so many things want to do awful things to his body parts).
Despite the genuine danger, it's not quite as dire-feeling as some of the other books in the series, since the "bat monster" isn't quite a villain like in other books—it's not malicious, and in fact they don't really resolve the conflict so much as something happens to allow Danny and company to escape just in time to end the book.
A fun read for fans of the series, easy enough for newcomers to pick up, though the whole distinction between animal-people and "animals" might throw newcomers for a loop. Actually, even the existing fans, since even Danny admits to being confused by the "animals" in the jungle, one of whom very closely resembles one of his school teachers.
Despite the genuine danger, it's not quite as dire-feeling as some of the other books in the series, since the "bat monster" isn't quite a villain like in other books—it's not malicious, and in fact they don't really resolve the conflict so much as something happens to allow Danny and company to escape just in time to end the book.
A fun read for fans of the series, easy enough for newcomers to pick up, though the whole distinction between animal-people and "animals" might throw newcomers for a loop. Actually, even the existing fans, since even Danny admits to being confused by the "animals" in the jungle, one of whom very closely resembles one of his school teachers.
June 30, 2020
Yet another solid installment of the Dragonbreath series. Following Danny Dragonbreath and his best friend, Wendell on their abnormal adventures is quite entertaining and it makes you wonder what they'll do next.
The series tackles some really cool concepts that involve animals, fantasy, mythology, and creatures of folklore. These ideas make the world of Dragonbreath wonderous and grounded as there is always seems to be something new to learn about it. This book is a great example of handling those notions by having the plot being revolved around a giant false vampire bat.
I've realized after re-reading this book, this series follows the format as a sort-of anthology series as there doesn't appear to be an overarching plot. You could argue that Danny is trying to learn how to breathe fire, but he does it for a moment in also every book of the series. I wished that there was some kind of goal that Danny was trying to achieve. Danny is a character who I think if he had a mystery to solve, he would be all over it.
It would be really neat if Danny was trying to uncover secrets about the environment he lives in since it's full of mystical beings and locations. Instead of having every novel be a random adventure that Danny and Wendell why not have it build towards them trying to achieve just one goal? Not when they're in trouble in whatever quest they're on.
That's my biggest complaint with the series, it doesn't affect my overall opinion of it, but it's something that I really wish was included. I know that this is a simple children's book series, it's just I feel that this one has the potential to handle a format of storytelling like that.
I might as well mention that I admire the continuity that is addressed in every book. Either Danny or Wendell mentioned a pervious adventure and it reminds us as the reader that they remember what they've been through before and that they take their past experiences to wherever they go. I don't see this very often in children's book series as most characters seem to brush off their previous events like it meant nothing or doesn't matter.
The last thing I'll mention is the illustrations. I think that they're quite simple but excellent. Most of them look like they were done as paintings and I adore the use of colors with green and blue. The colors convey the world as somewhat dull, but still, make it appealing, like it's the only two colors that could exist. The color red is used in other books, but not in this one. It is usually used to make something more dramatic or during a serious moment. I like how it's saved for moments when it feels necessary and has a purpose in telling the story.
Overall, this was a very simple and enjoyable read, if anything I mentioned sounds interesting to you, then I do recommend giving it a read.
The series tackles some really cool concepts that involve animals, fantasy, mythology, and creatures of folklore. These ideas make the world of Dragonbreath wonderous and grounded as there is always seems to be something new to learn about it. This book is a great example of handling those notions by having the plot being revolved around a giant false vampire bat.
I've realized after re-reading this book, this series follows the format as a sort-of anthology series as there doesn't appear to be an overarching plot. You could argue that Danny is trying to learn how to breathe fire, but he does it for a moment in also every book of the series. I wished that there was some kind of goal that Danny was trying to achieve. Danny is a character who I think if he had a mystery to solve, he would be all over it.
It would be really neat if Danny was trying to uncover secrets about the environment he lives in since it's full of mystical beings and locations. Instead of having every novel be a random adventure that Danny and Wendell why not have it build towards them trying to achieve just one goal? Not when they're in trouble in whatever quest they're on.
That's my biggest complaint with the series, it doesn't affect my overall opinion of it, but it's something that I really wish was included. I know that this is a simple children's book series, it's just I feel that this one has the potential to handle a format of storytelling like that.
I might as well mention that I admire the continuity that is addressed in every book. Either Danny or Wendell mentioned a pervious adventure and it reminds us as the reader that they remember what they've been through before and that they take their past experiences to wherever they go. I don't see this very often in children's book series as most characters seem to brush off their previous events like it meant nothing or doesn't matter.
The last thing I'll mention is the illustrations. I think that they're quite simple but excellent. Most of them look like they were done as paintings and I adore the use of colors with green and blue. The colors convey the world as somewhat dull, but still, make it appealing, like it's the only two colors that could exist. The color red is used in other books, but not in this one. It is usually used to make something more dramatic or during a serious moment. I like how it's saved for moments when it feels necessary and has a purpose in telling the story.
Overall, this was a very simple and enjoyable read, if anything I mentioned sounds interesting to you, then I do recommend giving it a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2021
After Danny and Wendell find an injured bat in the swimming pool, Danny's mom suggests they take the bus down to Mexico to visit their cousin, Steve, who happens to be a bat researcher. As always, Vernon throws little factoids into the humorous dialogue. This time, readers will learn a little bit about conservation (endangered animals, deforestation, mining, etc.). I wouldn't expect her to weigh the story down too much with a ton of information or statistics, but at the same time this was the first time I was wanting her to be more educational (maybe I just take environmental topics more seriously than ninjas and werewolves).
Vernon also drew from old Zapotec mythology, which was cool. However, she did miss the opportunity to give Steve a catchphrase: "It's for science!" In any case, I think this and #1 are my favorites so far.
Vernon also drew from old Zapotec mythology, which was cool. However, she did miss the opportunity to give Steve a catchphrase: "It's for science!" In any case, I think this and #1 are my favorites so far.
July 8, 2017
This is another fun book to read by Ursula Vernon. Friendship, adventure, and nonfiction facts about bats and animal conservation are interjected in fun ways. Bats are helpful creatures for our environment and this book would help kids see that bats are not intentionally harming people and don't need to be feared or killed. I enjoyed the illustrations which made this book almost a cross between graphic novel and chapter book. This author's sense of humor shines through and I highly recommend this book for both girls and boys.
February 25, 2019
"It was a very exciting and happy story. It was exciting because Danny was trapped with the Camazots. The thing that was happy was the Camazot saved Danny and his friends. I think it was funny because the Camazot thought that Danny was her baby. All of the Dragonbreath books are exciting and have amazing adventures in them. I think anyone who likes superhero books would like this book. Also if you liked the Hamster Princess books (by the same author) you might enjoy these books too." By Lucy Age 7
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2019
I liked this book. It was rather similar to the first 3, but not in a bad way. It was a rather funny depiction of doing fieldwork in biology.
One thing kinda made me uncomfortable: the discussion of snakes that aren't people (everyone in the book is a reptile, except there were ninja frogs in a previous book, but you know, iguanas, geckos, etc). I mean, I know we were talking about snakes that are, you know, snakes, but in the context of settlers deciding that indigenous folks aren't people it was troubling for some of the rainforest snakes to be not people.
One thing kinda made me uncomfortable: the discussion of snakes that aren't people (everyone in the book is a reptile, except there were ninja frogs in a previous book, but you know, iguanas, geckos, etc). I mean, I know we were talking about snakes that are, you know, snakes, but in the context of settlers deciding that indigenous folks aren't people it was troubling for some of the rainforest snakes to be not people.
November 15, 2020
Just to kill time I read this graphic novel, Liar of the Bat Monster by Ursula Vernon. It was side-splitting with characters like Danny the dragon, Wendell the iguana, Danny's cousin Steve and the Camazotz.
The story starts with Danny and Wendell coming across an injured bat. Together they visit Steve, a bat researcher to see whatever's the matter with the bat. They run into the bat monster, Camazotz in the middle of their journey. So, this simple excursion turns into another spine-chilling adventure to Danny and Wendell.
Overall, this book was okay for just-a-light-read.
The story starts with Danny and Wendell coming across an injured bat. Together they visit Steve, a bat researcher to see whatever's the matter with the bat. They run into the bat monster, Camazotz in the middle of their journey. So, this simple excursion turns into another spine-chilling adventure to Danny and Wendell.
Overall, this book was okay for just-a-light-read.
July 21, 2022
These books had been given as a gift and I was asked to read them by the person who had received the gift. The gift receiver read them first and gave this book 5 starts. I would give it 4.
Book 4: Lair of the Bat Monster, is the second book in the DragonBreath series that I have read. I have found Vernon's writing to be a fun mix of storytelling and comedy, and I enjoy the child's perspective of the books...they feel authentic. I enjoy Vernon's writing and the series enough that I intend to read the whole series, and check out the "Hamster Princess" series as well.
In Book 4, one of the interesting aspects of the story is how Vernon ties in cultural history and tradition into the story. However, one of the things that immediately put me off right at the beginning of the book was the use of the phrase "hostile natives." It was completely unnecessary and is a reminder of the colonizer mindset of Native peoples being hostile and uncivilized when in fact it is the colonizer that is invading and being hostile. I'm unfamiliar with Vernon's background, and it is something I will be looking into. In the meantime, the "hostile natives" phrase will, and I think should, be used as a teaching moment.
Book 4: Lair of the Bat Monster, is the second book in the DragonBreath series that I have read. I have found Vernon's writing to be a fun mix of storytelling and comedy, and I enjoy the child's perspective of the books...they feel authentic. I enjoy Vernon's writing and the series enough that I intend to read the whole series, and check out the "Hamster Princess" series as well.
In Book 4, one of the interesting aspects of the story is how Vernon ties in cultural history and tradition into the story. However, one of the things that immediately put me off right at the beginning of the book was the use of the phrase "hostile natives." It was completely unnecessary and is a reminder of the colonizer mindset of Native peoples being hostile and uncivilized when in fact it is the colonizer that is invading and being hostile. I'm unfamiliar with Vernon's background, and it is something I will be looking into. In the meantime, the "hostile natives" phrase will, and I think should, be used as a teaching moment.
October 17, 2017
Another Dragonbreath book, another suspenseful, action-packed storyline. This series does a great job of tying in past events from previous books (without being redundant) while making the reader want to pick up the next one. It also has a balance between strong vocabulary, dialogue, comic-like illustrations, and character development.
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