Fly Guy Presents: Bats

October 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Arnold examines bats in this latest addition to his nonfiction series, which has taken on sharks, dinosaurs, insects, firefighters, and space. Following a formula that has worked so well in the past, the author offers a ton of facts about bats within a fictional framing story: this time, a trip to the nocturnal house at the zoo. Strong photos work well with the illustrations, which include word balloons and standard text. As Fly Guy and his human friend Buzz walk through the exhibit, they encounter a wide variety of bats and learn about habitat, what bats eat (including the diet of the ever-popular vampire bat), how they fly, echolocation, and more. The pronunciation for potentially difficult words is provided, along with a clear definition; however, there is no glossary. Arnold covers a wide breadth of information in a clear, concise, and fun way that is sure to please the intended audience. Some may find fault with the author's failure to mention white-nose syndrome, which has killed more than five million bats in North America since 2006. VERDICT A popular series tackles a kid-friendly topic. Sure to fly off library shelves.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

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