A review by kellylynnthomas
Nightsong by Ari Berk
5.0
THIS IS THE CUTEST BOOK EVER IN THE ENTIRE WORLD! I may be biased, as I absolutely adore bats (and they are so good for eating pesky mosquitoes and other insects that are annoying), but if the illustrations of little Chiro don't melt your heart, you don't have one!
The real strength of this book lies in the full-page illustrations. The story deals with Chiro learning how to use echo location. The author explains the concept of echo location in a beautiful manner that children will understand. The illustrator shows how Chiro "sees" by making the majority of the page black and trees indistinct shadows, with a full-color section where Chiro "sings" out to the world.
Another thing I love about this book is the way it portrays bats as a family-based species (which is totally true to science, by the way) that provides a beneficial service: eating insects. Bats save millions and millions of dollars in agricultural damage each year, but they still have a bad rap.
So do yourself and the world a favor, read this book and let it blow your mind with how awesome bats are. (Stella Luna is another great picture book about an adorable bat.)
The real strength of this book lies in the full-page illustrations. The story deals with Chiro learning how to use echo location. The author explains the concept of echo location in a beautiful manner that children will understand. The illustrator shows how Chiro "sees" by making the majority of the page black and trees indistinct shadows, with a full-color section where Chiro "sings" out to the world.
Another thing I love about this book is the way it portrays bats as a family-based species (which is totally true to science, by the way) that provides a beneficial service: eating insects. Bats save millions and millions of dollars in agricultural damage each year, but they still have a bad rap.
So do yourself and the world a favor, read this book and let it blow your mind with how awesome bats are. (Stella Luna is another great picture book about an adorable bat.)