Bats by Sandra Markle (review)

In this latest entry in her “Biggest! Littlest!” series, Markle introduces primary-graders to the many and varied features of bats of various sizes. Information is presented not only about big and small bats, but also their large or little features (e.g. large ears on a Western pipistrelle, tiny suction-cup-like disks on the thumbs and ankles of the Spix’s disk-winged bat). The book mostly focuses on the ways in which the size of wings and other body parts aid in the bats’ survival, given their habitats. Facts are helpfully presented in short, succinct sentences, with each new tidbit (or each part of a more complicated explanation) getting a new line of text and generous spacing giving young readers time to absorb and digest each nugget of information before moving on to the next. More detailed information is presented in a smaller font in colored sidebars. Clear, well-chosen photographs—most of them surprisingly well-lit, considering their nocturnal subjects—effectively highlight the body parts or other qualities focused on in the text. A map pinpointing the locations of the photographed bats, a glossary, a bibliography and website list, and further information about bat classification is included. Use this as a starting point for a unit on bats or pair with another title in the series (Insects, BCCB 4/09) for a broader study of how animals’ bodies adapt to their surroundings. Kids captivated by these winged wonders will find this an intriguing and instructive introductory title.