The winged creatures of the night, bats possess a plethora of little-known fun facts! You may know a bit about their superb echolocation, but did you know there are more than 1,300 species of bats around the world? Or that they are the only mammals that can truly fly? How about the fact that they can fly at speeds of 100 miles per hour? With so many interesting facts about these creatures, it’s no wonder they interest many of us, and some of these night-flyers can even be quite cute. Whether you’re looking for a book for more information on bats or would simply love to read a story about them, we’ve gathered a list of wonderful children’s picture books you won’t want to miss!
The Bat Book by Charlotte Milner
Looking for a more informative story about bats? Look no further! The Bat Book provides a beautiful educational story with an important message. As readers learn more about these creatures, there are also fun activities for kids to learn how to support bats and help them thrive in our world. Read more to discover why bats are essential to our planet and why they are under threat. Milner brilliantly includes how bats make the world a better place and the massive amount of fun facts under their belt! Children will be surprised by what they learn and will be drawn in by the beautiful illustrations on each page.
Bitsy Bat, School Star by Kaz Windness
Bitsy’s biggest dream is to make friends at her new school, but she doesn’t feel like she quite fits in when she arrives. As the other children in class sit on chairs, Bitsy prefers hanging from the ceiling. When the other kids paint with their fingers, she would rather use her toes. Everyone in the class tells Bitsy she is doing it all wrong, so she tries harder to fit in…but ends up having a five-star meltdown. Now she feels very small and refuses to go back to the classroom, but with the help of her family, Bitsy gains the courage and discovers that being a good friend is just one of the ways she can shine bright!
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
In an engaging and informative story, Stellaluna is knocked from her mother’s embrace by an owl. As she lands headfirst into a bird’s nest, the baby fruit bat becomes adopted by the birds and adapts to their peculiar habits! This adorable classic is loved by many and teaches young readers about accepting differences and overcoming challenges as they read a heartwarming story about the love of familial connections.
Fiona the Fruit Bat by Dan Riskin, Illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi
Written by a scientist who works with bats every day, Fiona the Fruit Bat is a sweet and informative picture book about bat echolocation! As Fiona prepares for her very first flight, she becomes frightened. How will she fly if she cannot see? Mama says to only listen, but how will she be able to do just that? But when she hears a mysterious voice deep in her cave, Fiona may just unlock a secret hidden inside herself. This story provides comfort for children who are scared of the dark, as they will face their fears alongside Fiona and learn there is nothing to be afraid of! Riskin and Qiuqi bring a touching tale with delightful illustrations to show young readers the amazing things they can accomplish all on their own.
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
Follow along as these adorable bats cause all sorts of mischief. Bats at the Library makes the perfect bedtime story for the young ones as Lies presents a spectacular narrative of these joyful critters visiting the library; this charming story is all about bats expressing their love for reading. Part of the A Bat Book series, enchantment of story time is near. Join these bats as they gather around for the tale of the night!
As you read about adorable bats, we hope these picture books will captivate young readers who are bat-lovers or want to learn more about them!
Check out our article on Polar Bears: 7 Powerful Picture Books About One of the Most Threatened Species next!
If you are looking for more children’s book recommendations, read our list on bookshop.org here.
