Home in the Cave

PreS-Gr 2—Halfmann reveals factual details about bats through an eventful story line. When Baby Bat's mother goes out to search for food, her baby falls into the messy nest of Pluribus Packrat. With the aid of a flashlight, friendly Pluribus takes the little creature on a tour of the cave, and readers learn not only about cave bats but also about the cave environment, why cave bats are important to it, and how these bats impact other cave-dwelling creatures. Halfmann adeptly defines terms such as "stalactites," "stalagmites," and "guano" in context, and the factual material is nicely integrated into the story. At the end of their explorations, Pluribus returns Baby Bat to his nursery. Bersani's mixed-media artwork, predominately spreads, appears to be a combination of paint and pencil. Shades of brown, gray, and black create a realistic-looking interior. Light emitted from Pluribus's flashlight draws attention to the other critters, while emotions can be seen in the facial expressions of Pluribus and Baby Bat. Four pages of additional information for classroom lessons and activities are included. Children fascinated by bats and who grasp information better through a plotline rather than through straightforward nonfiction should find this an intriguing read. Readers eager for more information can turn to J. Angelique Johnson's Bats (Capstone, 2011) and Cindy Rodriguez's Bats (Rourke, 2010); both of these titles are organized topically and feature color photos.—Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH