I Am Bat

Author: Hood, Morag

Format: Picture Book

Number Of Pages: 32

Details:

I am bat.I love cherries. They are juicy and red and delicious and...My cherries! Some of them are missing. Who took my cherries? Was it YOU? Join the grumpily adorable Bat as he searches for his missing cherries in this vibrant and hilarious picture book. From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1—A cherry-loving bat, who doesn't like to share, looks at and talks directly to readers—first singing the praises of cherries and then warning children that the cherries "ARE MINE. Do NOT take my cherries. If you take my cherries I will be ANGRY. I will be FEROCIOUS like a lion. (But smaller and with wings.)" The next full-page spread shows a lion's paw reaching down from the top of the page for some cherries. The bat returns and is disheartened to discover the theft and proceeds to accuse readers—"Was it YOU?" The text switches to shouty, bold all caps when emphasizing its message—an effective touch. While Bat is busy fussing over the missing cherries, kids will giggle to see a frog's arm, a duck's head, and some ants appear from the top of the page to take the remaining cherries from under the bat's nose. With Bat's beloved cherries gone, it declares "I will NEVER be happy again" as the four thieves peer down at and overhear bat from the top of the page. The next page turn shows the four friends dropping a pear down to clueless Bat who is delighted with this new fruit. The story presumably starts all over again with Bat declaring: "I like PEARS. I AM BAT. DO NOT TAKE MY PEAR." While the premise of this story is not a new one, it manages to be novel and funny. The full-color, lino print, and collage illustrations against a solid color background are graphically pleasing. The bat's emotions are shown clearly in its expressions—grumpiness, outrage, despair, and delight. VERDICT A deceptively simple story that packs a subtle message about sharing and altruism. A thoroughly engaging read that is sure to be a hit at storytime.—Megan Kilgallen, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn

Reviews:

"A quirky gem...Old and young alike will have to giggle at the bat's show of speedy adaptability. Excellent visual storytelling aligned with eloquent brevity." - Kirkus Reviews

"Novel and funny... A deceptively simple story that packs a subtle message about sharing and altruism. A thoroughly engaging read that is sure to be a hit at storytime." - School Library Journal

About the Author:

Morag Hood holds a degree in costume design from Wimbledon College of Art and a master of arts in children's book illustration from Cambridge School of Art. Her picture books have been nominated for the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Kate Greenaway Medal. I Am Bat was selected for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. She lives in Edinburgh. Learn more at moraghood.co.uk.

UPC: 760789269745...

EAN: 9781492660323

Release Date: 05-09-2017

Languages: English

Item Condition: New

Binding: Hardcover