It’s that time of year again!  Halloween is almost here. Kids everywhere are picking out their costumes and gearing up for the fun-filled day!  During October, as Halloween approaches, kids and adults alike with be thinking about ghouls, witches, black cats, and of course bats! Because of this, I have found there is no better time of year to capture my students interests about these amazing flying mammals.  Here is a list of 9 great books that are amazing go-to choices to have on hand as you learn about bats!

1. Bats

Summary:  Gail Gibbons debunks many of the myths about bats. In a way that is simple and easy to understand, she provides a wealth of information about a variety of different types of bats as well as their physical characteristics, habits, and the bat life cycle.  You will find yourself coming back to this beautifully illustrated book year after year as you introduce your students to the world of bats.

This book is perfect for grades 2-3.  

 

 

2. Bats Biggest Littlest

Summary:  This amazing book has stunning photographs your students will love.  It provides kids with a wealth of information about the wide variety of bat species in the world.  It gives fun facts that will amaze your students.  Do your kiddos know the biggest bat species can have a wingspan as long as a bathtub or that the smallest bat weighs less than a penny?  If not, they will not forget these facts and more after reading and studying this amazing book.

This book is perfect for grades 2-3. 

 

3. Bats (Kids Can Press)

Summary:  This book provides kids a great introduction to the two main types of bats: megabats and microbats.  In an easy to read and understand fashion, Bats by Kids Can Press covers 13 important topics pertaining to various bat species.  If your kids want to research where bats live, what they eat, or how they use their senses, this is the book for them

This book is perfect for kids in grades 2-4. 

4. Bats Fact Finder (Magic School Bus)

Summary:  Would you like to teach some mini-lessons on text structure this month?  This would be a great book for that.  If you are not familiar with the Magic School Bus Fact Finder series, you are missing out.  With this book you can find out all the amazing facts about bats.  Plus, it comes with amazing photographs, illustrations, an index, and more!  Your students will love researching a bat species of their choice with this fun book.

This book is perfect for kids in grades 2-4. 

 

5. Bats by National Geographic Kids

Summary: This level 2 reader  from National Geographic Kids is a great choice for kids through the second grade.  With eye popping photographs of bats from around the world.  This must-have book will help young learners learn about one of the most fascinating creatures in the world and the important role they play every day. Best of all, the photographs in this book can’t be beat.

This book is perfect for kids in grades 1-2.

 

6. Bats!  Strange and Wonderful

Summary: This award winning book gives students an amazing introduction to bats.  Perhaps the world’s most misunderstood animal, this book will give kids a much better understanding about the bats of the world.  I like this book because, among many other things, it teaches kids how bats play a key role in helping some plants and trees reproduce!

This book is perfect for kids in grades 2-4.

 

7. Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats

Summary: Do your early elementary kids have questions about bats?  This book for early readers has the answers.  Read this book to find out more about how mother bats raise their pups, where different bat species live, how bats find their food and more! This fun, simple, and informational book gives answers to most of the burning questions kids have about these amazing flying mammals.

This book is perfect for kids in grades 1-3.

 

8. The Secret Life of the Little Brown Bat

Summary: This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the story of a year in the life of a little brown bat named Otis.  This fun story will engage your kids from beginning to end as Otis learns to find food, escape from predators, and find a mate.  It also provides a glossary and a number of other cool features kids can use for research!

This book is perfect for kids in grades 2-4.

 

9. The Life Cycle of a Bat

Summary: Are you studying lifecycles with your kids?  If so, this book would be a great resource to tie in lifecycles with your study of bats.  In addition to the lifecycle of a bat, this book also touches on a how bats interact with each other, gives great descriptions of bats, and even touches on the vastly misunderstood vampire bat

This book is perfect for grades 2-3.  

 

I hope you are having an amazing school year and enjoy learning about bats with your students!