REVIEWS FOR BATS AT THE LIBRARY
Martha Stewart gave Bats at the Library to her studio audience on Oct. 29, 2008, and called it "a good thing." The show also included a craft that viewers could make at home.
starred review, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY. . . . . . . . . . July 14, 2008
Bats at the Library
Brian Lies. Houghton Mifflin, $16 (32p) ISBN 978-0-618-99923-1
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 an intensely personal place. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)
WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE NEWS. . . . . . . . . . September 7, 2008
“Bats at the Library,” story and illustrations by Brian Lies; Houghton Mifflin, $16, 32 pages, ages 4 to 8.
The creator of “Bats at the Beach” has brought his endearing band of flying mammals back for a nocturnal visit to the public library, a stimulating trip made possible by news that a window to the building has been left ajar. The older members of the group — you can tell them by their spectacles — are content with seeking out favorite titles such as “Goodnight Sun.” Some bats, in “munchy moods,” will study “guides to fancy foods.” Others — quite literally — “hang out” by the lamps to schmooze, while a few of the youngsters play shape shadows with an overhead projector. Brian Lies clearly has a passion for libraries and the world of wondrous treats that they have to offer, an enthusiasm he shares by way of his wonderfully sophisticated chiaroscuro paintings.
CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER. . . . . . . . . . July 28, 2008
It’s a zoo, I tell ya: a family of bats, a loud lion and a bunch of kids
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Kathy Englehart
Grandson Daniel and I visit “his” library each time my husband and I travel to Washington, D.C. For some reason known only to him, Daniel wears his frog boots to walk to the library next door to his home. This time we found some good picture books to enjoy, along with the air conditioning.
In Brian Lies’ lovely new book, Bats at the Library (Houghton Mifflin, $16), a window is left ajar, allowing bibliophile bats to spend a topsy-turvy evening in the public library. Their exciting story hour features a shadowy “Goodnight, Sun” and Officer Mike stopping traffic for Mother Bat and her eight offspring to cross a busy Boston street. Dark, inky acrylic paintings accompany a sprightly rhyming text, a wonderful sequel to 2006's completely charming “Bats at the Beach” (ages 3-6).
POLITICS AND PROSE BOOKSTORE, Washington, DC:
What luck! A window is ajar at the local library, and word spreads among the bats. Fly through the cool night air, squeeze through the window, and join the BATS AT THE LIBRARY (Houghton Mifflin, $16). The old bats have visited the library before: they read and discuss books. But the young bats play tag and xerox themselves. Finally, they settle in for story time. See if you can recognize some old storybook favorites like Pippi Longbat, Goodnight Sun, and Make Way for Batlings. Brian Lies (Bats at the Beach) returns with another clever picture book about bats and their adventures. Ages 4-8. • Heidi Powell
Quail Ridge Books & Music, Raleigh, NC:
BATS AT THE LIBRARY (hard cover, $16) by Brian Lies. Bats are more like us than you know. When it’s time for a quiet evening, where else do they fly but to the neighborhood library for storytime? Checking out the water fountain is way cool, too! Rhyming text and those adorable (yes, they are!) bats make this a great read-aloud for ages 4 and up. P.S. The earlier BATS AT THE BEACH is perfect for the season as well.
Inkwood Books, Tampa, FL:
“This book portrays the library as it should be; an amazingly eye-opening, fascinating gateway to other worlds. Be on the lookout for cute little accents and illustrations. No detail was left out. This book is sure to start kids off on the right foot… the foot that leads them to the library.”
Angie