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. (Aug.)
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PreS-Gr 3
In this companion to Bats at the Beach (Houghton, 2006), Lies pays homage to the pleasures to be found within libraries and books. The story opens on three winged creatures clinging to an autumnal branch against the backdrop of evening. Observant readers will recognize the young bat with yellow "water wings" from the earlier title and notice that the chimney and trees at the top of the page point downward-a cue to attend to perspective. The bats are bored, but an antidote is announced: someone left a window open in the library. The golden glow from spotlights on the side of the building and an Arts and Crafts-style reading lamp illuminate the nocturnal adventures in this handsome, traditional space. The bats cluster according to interests. Some peruse "guides to fancy foods" (insect books) and form literary discussion groups. The younger mammals make images of themselves at the copier, frolic in the fountain, play at the computer, and explore the gingerbread castle in a pop-up book. An impromptu storytime brings everyone together, however, and after the pint-size protagonist is literally drawn into the featured book, two spreads reveal a montage of scenes from classic stories, with bats in the starring roles. Lies's acrylics are a successful fusion of fantasy and reality. The rhyming narrative is generally smooth, with enough humor and sophistication to propel readers along. And who can argue with the message?-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
In this latest from Lies, it's all-deservingly-about the artwork. He brings a sure, expressive and transporting hand to this story of a colony of bats paying a nighttime visit to a small-town library. There is enough merriness here to keep the story bubbling, and young readers will certainly identify with some of the bats that have gotten a bit bored by the visit, as bats will do, and started monkeying around with the photocopier. There is a lovely image of a group of bats hanging around the rim of a reading lamp listening to a story; the peach-colored light illuminates the immediate vicinity while the rest of the library is shadowed and mysterious. The rhymed text, on the other hand, feels unmulled, leaving the artwork to do the heavy lifting. Pictures light-handedly capture the Cheshire Bat, Winnie the Bat and Little Red Riding Bat, only to be trumped by some ill-considered sermonizing-"But little bats will have to learn / the reason that we must return." Buy it for the pictures. (Picture book. 4-8)
…the library-after-dark setting works a magic all its own, taking Lies and his audience to an intensely personal place.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Dark, inky acrylic paintings accompany a sprightly rhyming text, a wonderful sequel to 2006's completely charming Bats at the Beach." — Cleveland Plain Dealer
"These book-loving bats might encourage young readers to explore more stories on their own.” — San Antonio Express-News
"… appealing acrylic illustrations that teem with bats so charming they will even win over chiroptophobes." — Booklist
"In this latest from Lies, it's all-deservingly-about the artwork. He brings a sure, expressive and transporting hand to this story." — Kirkus Reviews
"...the charm is all in the story itself." — New York Times Book Review
What good fortune that a library window has been left open! The local bats take full advantage and swoop in to browse the stacks, copy themselves at the copier, and splash in the water fountain. Library instruction is given to the youngsters. Chris Sorenson narrates purposefully and carefully articulates Lies's poetry so that the listener can appreciate the tempo and rhyme. His elongated pauses beg for the listener to provide the next word. Best of all, his narration highlights the joy the bat youth find in reading. As night fades into dawn, the bats take their leave, hopeful of another such cure for nighttime boredom. A.R. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine
