Canadian Children’s BookNews
September 14, 2018/Summer 2018, p. 26
Bat Citizens
By Rob Laidlaw
ISBN: 978-1-77278-039-0
Creatures of the night, bats are definitely cool. The second largest group of mammals in the world, and the only mammals capable of true flight, bats are shadowy and fascinating, a perennial favourite amongst kids. But, like so many other animals, many species of bats are threatened or endangered. In this highly engaging and informative title, celebrated animal activist and biologist Rob Laidlaw sheds light on these ‘ninjas of the night’ and the efforts being made to save them.
This comprehensive book is chock full of bat facts, appealing colour photographs with captions, intriguing and myth-busting sidebars, as well as an eye-catching centre-gatefold of a hoary bat. The chapters include information on the many different types of bats around the globe, bat habitats, bat biology, how bats are an integral part of a healthy world, as well as some of the challenges bats face, and how readers can help in bat-conservation efforts.
Throughout the book, Laidlaw has included the profiles of 10 ‘Bat Citizens’—young people participating in citizen science to help protect bat populations. While most of the young people highlighted are American, this doesn’t detract from the important grassroots work they are doing. Perhaps reading about these ‘Bat Citizens’ will encourage more Canadian youth to get involved in bat-conservation projects.
Far from portraying bats as sinister denizens of the night, this engrossing book celebrates them as amazing creatures that are critically important to natural ecosystems and beneficial to humans. With a page devoted to 14 ways kids can help bats, many young readers will be inspired to become citizen scientists and to participate in bat-preservation activities. Visually attractive and full of clearly written scientific information, this is a must-have title for all young science and animal enthusiasts!
—Tracey Schindler
