Bats at the Library [Hardcover]

"There are many playful elements to this tale of family storytelling, and Liwskas mlange of the fanciful and the real is well crafted in the smooth telling and artwork. Deftly drawn and softly colored, the animals are both comic and endearing. Grandfather, who wears a small pointed cap, is the only creature with human trappings. An inviting choice for read-aloud sharing."--School Library Journal "The descriptive and engaging prose incorporates dialogue and wry asides. The digitally enhanced pencil art portrays the mountain settings and appealing panda characters with soft, muted, earthy hues and textures. Young children will enjoy the playful scenes . . . This entertaining, original folktale offers a reassuring depiction of loving family relationships."--Booklist "Liwskas serene pencil illustrations (digitally colored) keep the story gentle enough for the youngest viewers: the tiger, though sharp-clawed, has a soft, kittenlike appearance, and in Lin Lins recollection of the tigers flight he looks like a stuffed toy sailing through the air, sure to land with a harmless bounce. Full-page art shows the pandas amid their habitat, while spot art helps viewers focus on the characters themselves. Liwskas pandas look realistic but are also human stand-ins as they engage in all kinds of play (Bao Bao hula-hoops; Lin Lin spins him in a game of airplane) sure to please preschoolers." (Horn Book, starred review )

An open library window is an invitation for a colony of bats in this sequel to Bats at the Beach (2006). Once inside, older bats look for favorite books, while younger ones explore and play. Storytime settles everyone down and transports them into the tales, filled with bat characters playing new roles. The bat homage to classic children’s books includes titles like Goodnight Sun, while images such as Little Red Riding Bat will amuse children who are familiar with the originals. The rhymed narrative serves primarily as the vehicle for the appealing acrylic illustrations that teem with bats so charming they will even win over chiroptophobes. Preschool-Grade 3. (Booklist -Linda Perkins )

* Lies's (Bats at the Beach) much-lauded bats are back and the library's got them--thanks to a window left open by an unsuspecting (or perhaps sympathetic) librarian. Although the young ones initially misbehave (they make photocopies of their bodies and turn the water fountain into a splash pool), Lies cuts them a little slack: "It's hard to settle down and read/ when life flits by at dizzy speed." Story time settles everyone (upside-)down, and soon the furry creatures are "completely swallowed up" in books, giving Lies comic license to bat-tify the signature visuals from classics like Make Way For Ducklings; Pippi Longstocking; Goodnight, Moon and Peter Rabbit. As with its predecessor, this book's richly detailed chiaroscuro paintings find considerable humor at the intersection where bat and human behavior meet. But the author/artist outdoes himself: the library-after-dark setting works a magic all its own, taking Lies and his audience to a an intensely personal place. Ages 4-8. (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )

Houghton Mifflin Company Another inky evenings here The air is cool and calm and clear. Can it be true? Oh, can it be? Yes!Bat Night at the library! Join the free-for-all fun at the public library with these book-loving bats! Shape shadows on walls, frolic in the water fountain, and roam the book-filled halls until its time for everyone, young and old, to settle down into the enchantment of story time. Brian Lies joyful critters and their nocturnal celebration cast library visits in a new light. Even the youngest of readers will want to join the batty book-fest!