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A Place for Bats
Did you know that almost a third of the world's 1,300 species of bats are in serious trouble?
Chased from their caves and forests, sickened by cave-dwelling fungi, and swept from the skies by wind turbines, bats have no place to hide. And human actions often contribute to the problems. How can we help ensure that there will be a safe place for bats?
In simple yet compelling language, acclaimed science writer Melissa Stewart showcases twelve types of North American bats, from the familiar little brown bat to the Mexican free-tailed bat. Her clear narrative shows the threats these bats face, and informative sidebars describe a variety of efforts to save them.
In addition, remarkable full-color illustrations vividly and accurately depict bats within the ecosystems that support their survival. Range maps and additional bat facts are also included.
This nonfiction picture book is part of a prize-winning series designed to inform young readers about a wide range of environmental issues and to present ways people can help protect animals and their natural habitats. A classroom favorite, this book is perfect for budding scientists, environmentalists, and nature lovers.
Chased from their caves and forests, sickened by cave-dwelling fungi, and swept from the skies by wind turbines, bats have no place to hide. And human actions often contribute to the problems. How can we help ensure that there will be a safe place for bats?
In simple yet compelling language, acclaimed science writer Melissa Stewart showcases twelve types of North American bats, from the familiar little brown bat to the Mexican free-tailed bat. Her clear narrative shows the threats these bats face, and informative sidebars describe a variety of efforts to save them.
In addition, remarkable full-color illustrations vividly and accurately depict bats within the ecosystems that support their survival. Range maps and additional bat facts are also included.
This nonfiction picture book is part of a prize-winning series designed to inform young readers about a wide range of environmental issues and to present ways people can help protect animals and their natural habitats. A classroom favorite, this book is perfect for budding scientists, environmentalists, and nature lovers.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Stewart
297 books189 followersMelissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 180 science and nature books for children. She offers a wide range of programs for schools, libraries, nature centers, and conferences. www.melissa-stewart.com"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 29, 2014
Twin Text: Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
Rationale: I selected the picture book, Bats at the Library by Brian Lies because I believe a great connection can be made between the environments of both my nonfiction and fiction book. In Bats at the Library, some bats enter through an open window and discover a bunch of fun things that they can do. In the library, they make shadows on the wall with an overhead projector, read upside down, and play in the water fountain. A Place for Bats shows young children how human interaction can affect bat populations and their environment. It explains bat ecosystems, environment, survival, etc. Students can point out the similarities and differences between what the bats did in the story and what real bats can do or the environment at the library and their normal habitat.
Text Structure: This book uses a variety of different structures. It describes why we need bats and what they do. The book is a narration about bats with facts there were also boxes on each layout that shared a more anecdotal note that supported the text on the page. The photographs looked very lifelike! There was also a section at the end of the book that is a list of what readers could do to protect bats.
Strategy Application: I would have students do a venn diagram and compare/contrast both the environment and way bats live of both books. I would want students to identify what is similar (such as both environments are in the dark) or different.
Book Review citation for nonfiction book:
(2012, November 12). Horn Book Magazine. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#
Rationale: I selected the picture book, Bats at the Library by Brian Lies because I believe a great connection can be made between the environments of both my nonfiction and fiction book. In Bats at the Library, some bats enter through an open window and discover a bunch of fun things that they can do. In the library, they make shadows on the wall with an overhead projector, read upside down, and play in the water fountain. A Place for Bats shows young children how human interaction can affect bat populations and their environment. It explains bat ecosystems, environment, survival, etc. Students can point out the similarities and differences between what the bats did in the story and what real bats can do or the environment at the library and their normal habitat.
Text Structure: This book uses a variety of different structures. It describes why we need bats and what they do. The book is a narration about bats with facts there were also boxes on each layout that shared a more anecdotal note that supported the text on the page. The photographs looked very lifelike! There was also a section at the end of the book that is a list of what readers could do to protect bats.
Strategy Application: I would have students do a venn diagram and compare/contrast both the environment and way bats live of both books. I would want students to identify what is similar (such as both environments are in the dark) or different.
Book Review citation for nonfiction book:
(2012, November 12). Horn Book Magazine. http://www.booksinprint2.com.leo.lib....#
October 16, 2022
This book was nominated for the Washington State Children's Choice award a few years ago and I new it would be a good companion to read with Amara and the bats. We talked about picture books as a format and realistic fiction vs. Nonfiction. We made a text to text connection with the 2023 nominee Someone build the dream. When a place for bats talks about wind turbines killing bats, it occurred to us that one of the scientists in Someone builds the dream could be an ecologist - would we build a wind farm if a colony of bats lived nearby?
March 29, 2012
Filled with detailed and fascinating acrylic illustrations of several different types of bats, this book uses engaging language to describe the appearance, habits and characteristics of bats while repeatedly reminding readers about some of the ways you and I can work to insure that bats have a place to call home. The author goes to great pains to insure that readers realize that humans have often been responsible for killing bats through ignorance. On other hand, she describes how some humans now tack up bat boxes or leave the dead fronds on their palm trees as resting places for bats. Even adults can learn a lot from this book; for instance, much as wind turbines are touted as a form of renewable energy, a low-pressure area near their blades can spell death for hoary bats. Back matter includes interesting bat facts and a bibliography for those who want to know more. This title will be a terrific addition for a science classroom library. Even the endpapers contain maps of the range of North American bats and tiny illustrations of the bats.
August 16, 2012
My coworker, Debbie, who is a former teacher and current bat lover, pointed out that this book is great for a wide range of ages. For younger kids, read just the simple text at the tops of the pages. To make it substantial for older kids, read the supplemental text boxes throughout the book. A great book to educate kids about bats and the impact humans have on their environments.
July 31, 2012
This book gave so much information about bats. I learned quite a few new facts. I'm going to be buying this book for my school library.
October 16, 2012
Finalist for the AAAS/Suburu Science Books & Film Prize for Excellence in Science Books. A Place for Bats is loaded with interesting facts about bats and will fascinate young readers.
November 20, 2019
This nonfiction book focuses on 12 kinds of bats that live in different parts of the U.S. The author, Melissa Stewart, tells us the importance of protecting bats, some interesting facts about bats, and what humans have done to harm bats. This book has beautiful illustrations showing bats in their different habitats. I would read just the top of the page to younger students, but read the whole book to older students. The inside cover shows a map of North America and a range of where each of the 12 bats covered in the book lives.
February 28, 2019
I used this as a read aloud with kindergarten students, so we really only focused on the narrative text. It works well with this age, not only being good nonfiction, but also a pattern story. We talked about bats and why people might not like them. Lots of questions and comments from the kids throughout the reading.
March 8, 2023
In this lushly illustrated book about bats, Melissa Stewart shows us how the life of different species of bats is affected by humans and what we can do about it. There is text suitable for early readers as well as more detailed information about each bat species for the older reader. At the end she gives suggestions on how to help bats as well as facts about bats.
May 3, 2018
This is an excellent book about bats for young readers. Fabulous illustrations and information.
October 2, 2018
Illustrations over photos
Weak writing
not a fan
Weak writing
not a fan
April 28, 2020
Filled with information about problems bats face along with solutions to those problems.
May 8, 2021
Lovely use of refrain in a nonfiction book.
May 12, 2014
A nonfiction book about bats and the unique places where we can find them. Melissa Stewart also shares ways we can help bats thrive and ends it with a refrain "When people....bats can live and grow." On each page she also gives us facts about the different species of bats.
The illustrations, done in acrylic, by Higgins Bond is beautiful and is a nice balance to the book. It keeps the readers interested and entertained.
The passion and love for bats is evident in Stewart's book. She is on a mission to keep these species alive for many years to come as she educates us about how our actions affect the survival of these bats. A Place For Bats is simple, yet informative. In the back of the book, Stewart includes fascinating bat facts, selected bibliography, and helpful websites. The end paper is also loaded with information- showing regions of the United States, Mexico, and Canada where certain species of bats can be found.
The illustrations, done in acrylic, by Higgins Bond is beautiful and is a nice balance to the book. It keeps the readers interested and entertained.
The passion and love for bats is evident in Stewart's book. She is on a mission to keep these species alive for many years to come as she educates us about how our actions affect the survival of these bats. A Place For Bats is simple, yet informative. In the back of the book, Stewart includes fascinating bat facts, selected bibliography, and helpful websites. The end paper is also loaded with information- showing regions of the United States, Mexico, and Canada where certain species of bats can be found.
September 24, 2013
A Place for Bats provides many interesting facts about bats, their habitats, how they are an important part of the environment, and how people can help them.
People who like learning about nature, animals, and helping the environment and endangered species would enjoy this book. They are many beautiful pictures and information about how our actions can affect the bats.
The last two pages of the book had a list of ways we can help bats and interesting facts about bats I never knew, such as the fact that they are the only mammals that can fly!
Children ages 5 or older would like this book, especially people who enjoy helping animals.
I give it 5 stars! It was different from other books that I've read because it gave me tips that we can use today to help bats.
Review by Isaac V., age 6, Mensa Hawaii
People who like learning about nature, animals, and helping the environment and endangered species would enjoy this book. They are many beautiful pictures and information about how our actions can affect the bats.
The last two pages of the book had a list of ways we can help bats and interesting facts about bats I never knew, such as the fact that they are the only mammals that can fly!
Children ages 5 or older would like this book, especially people who enjoy helping animals.
I give it 5 stars! It was different from other books that I've read because it gave me tips that we can use today to help bats.
Review by Isaac V., age 6, Mensa Hawaii
June 16, 2013
Fabulous pictures accompany this story about bats and the dangers that they face. The book did a great job of presenting several different species of bats, and talked about what measures humans are taking in an attempt to try to protect bats from the hazards that we have introduced into their lives.
My niece and nephew seemed to enjoy this book. My nephew was resistant to this story (he wanted to read something else), but the pictures and the informative nature of this book soon charmed him, and he, too, had his nose pressed against these pages.
I would have appreciated more a out bat behavior, and more about how lovable these horror story staples really are, but the text was full of information, and it was a book worth reading with the kids.
My niece and nephew seemed to enjoy this book. My nephew was resistant to this story (he wanted to read something else), but the pictures and the informative nature of this book soon charmed him, and he, too, had his nose pressed against these pages.
I would have appreciated more a out bat behavior, and more about how lovable these horror story staples really are, but the text was full of information, and it was a book worth reading with the kids.
November 6, 2012
Very dynamic informational picture book. Each spread of pages discusses a different type of bat and their habitat or habits. Text along the top of the pages can be read alone for early readers (with a great amount of repetition on things humans can do so "bats can live and grow"). Informational sidebars on each spread contain details explaining the text on the top of the pages.
Bibliography (with young reader resources highlighted); fascinating bat facts (they were, too!); and maps on the endpapers showing the habitats of each type of bat makes for a great deal of information for the young bat aficionado.
Also, the pictures are realistic and dramatic; I was intrigued by each spread.
Bibliography (with young reader resources highlighted); fascinating bat facts (they were, too!); and maps on the endpapers showing the habitats of each type of bat makes for a great deal of information for the young bat aficionado.
Also, the pictures are realistic and dramatic; I was intrigued by each spread.
August 21, 2014
This book can seem a bit redundant by about 2/3 of the way through, but the information is good. I think the author was probably a better researcher than a wordsmith. The thing is, the message came through loud and clear. Still, when I read it with kids there were those that were nothing but disgusted by a book about bats, but you can't every battle in that way. The kids enjoyed searching for the bat in the pictures as much or more than text, and a couple of the animal-loving students were very happy with it, but I don't think this one is destined to become a part of my regular read aloud repertoire. It's better if you have readers that like bats to begin with.
September 30, 2012
Illustrated by Higgins Bond
A Place for Bats is a good information book for the children to see how bats live. It shows different areas where bats roost, such as, caves, under bridges, trees. Since four year olds usually are not reading as of yet, the illustrations in the book are very self explanatory. I would use this book for a Social Studies lesson on where in the United States bats live, and from there see which bats migrate. The inside of the front and back cover illustrates where different species of bats live, which will be a great resource to use.
A Place for Bats is a good information book for the children to see how bats live. It shows different areas where bats roost, such as, caves, under bridges, trees. Since four year olds usually are not reading as of yet, the illustrations in the book are very self explanatory. I would use this book for a Social Studies lesson on where in the United States bats live, and from there see which bats migrate. The inside of the front and back cover illustrates where different species of bats live, which will be a great resource to use.
November 7, 2013
A Place For Bats is a wonderfully informative picture book about bats and how human actions are negatively and positively effecting their continued existence on Earth; something they have been doing for 50 million years. Higgins Bond’s illustrations are stunning, filled with vibrant colors and beautiful perspective views. This would be a nice addition to any elementary library or classroom for aiding in discussions on conservation and earth science.
Bats are so cute!!
Bats are so cute!!
December 16, 2013
Profiles the impact of modern life and the modifications that have been taken to ensure the survival of 12 different bats from across the US. Beautiful illustrations in acrylic, bibliography, and websites are included. The endpapers are used to show where the bats live.
December 9, 2014
Genre: Informational
Copyright Date: 2012
There were sections of this book I enjoyed. I honestly enjoyed the illustrations more than the actual text though. I learned a few interesting facts, but overall, the book was not what I was expecting.
Copyright Date: 2012
There were sections of this book I enjoyed. I honestly enjoyed the illustrations more than the actual text though. I learned a few interesting facts, but overall, the book was not what I was expecting.
April 24, 2015
In this book, there are facts about different types of bats, where their from, and how they live. This would be a good book to use for informational purposes of for students who like books about animals/birds.
February 20, 2012
Lots of interesting info about helping to save bats
February 23, 2012
Good information about the important role bats play in the environment and how to help create safe environments where they can thrive.
August 22, 2012
Non-fiction
Acrylic on cold-press board
Prose with facts in sidebar
Repeated phrase
Acrylic on cold-press board
Prose with facts in sidebar
Repeated phrase
October 9, 2012
If we work together to help these winged creatures of the night, there will always be a place for bats! Wonderful book!
February 14, 2013
This is a beautifully illustrated non fiction book about bats. The repetitive text and side bar text will make the book easily accessible to a wide variety of readers.
July 5, 2013
Short informative text with wonderful illustrations tell the reader about bats. WCCPB
March 25, 2014
Could have been a bit more informational about bats, but overall, a great and gentle reminder that humans are responsible, good or bad, for bats and for the environment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews