Pajama Press

A Year of Reading

“My favorite feature of the book is the ‘Bat Citizen’ feature.  Author Rob Laidlaw highlights 10+ bat activists–young people who are doing something to protect and help bats in some way. This is a great feature as it not only highlights kids who are making a difference, it will also help us expand our definition of the word ‘citizen’.

Many of the Bat Citizens are part of the “Bat Squad” and the many resources for kids/by kids on the Bat Conservation International website. Lots of great resources that I’ll need to explore more and so much of this connects to our life science unit of study.”

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Growing with Science

“The ‘bat citizens’ from the title are young people from around the world who study bats and let others know how they can help conserve them…In between the descriptions of the kids and their projects are interesting facts about bats. The center features a fold-out illustration of the anatomy of a hoary bat. The back matter includes lists of 14 ways you can help bats and organizations that help bats.

Bat Citizens introduces young ambassadors for bats in a way that is likely to inspire others to get involved in science and conservation efforts. It is a great choice for budding scientists and conservationists alike.”

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“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….

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

Read the full review on page 26 of the Summer 2018 issue of Canadian Children’s BookNews

“Rating: E…Readers of any of award winning Rob Laidlaw’s previous books will agree with the description on the jacket cover of Bat Citizens: Defending the Ninjas of the Night “Rob Laidlaw has devoted his life to protecting animals and empowering others to do the same.” One of the ways that Rob protects animals and empowers others is by producing excellent information-packed books.

Bat Citizens combines an impressive amount of research about bats with snapshots of many ‘bat citizens’, children and young adults, helping bats world-wide. Rob states in his introduction “Bats are disappearing because of threats like habitat destruction, roost disturbance, disease, and wind turbines.” The purpose of the book is to inform readers, to think good things about bats, and to provide inspiration and advice to help bats….

This book is highly recommended for both school and public libraries. Each ‘Bat Citizen’ article could be a starting point for individual or group projects, such as learning mapping software to study local bat ranges, conducting experiments to understand echolocation, building bat-houses in shop class for the school, and community. Students could host a bat festival educating and encouraging others to understand bats. The world needs bats.

Thematic Links: Bats; Bat Conservation; Animal Activists; Animal Welfare”
—Laura Reilly

Read the full review on page 22 of the April 2018 issue of Resource Links Magazine

“Chock-full of bat facts and photographs, this nonfiction book for young readers makes the case for bat conservation, including challenges that face the species and possible solutions….The smaller ‘bat facts’ and ‘batty ideas’ boxed items, on the other hand, fit in nicely with surrounding photographs….[A] striking center gatefold allows readers a closer look at a hoary bat….Look to this eye-catching book to be convinced of the wonders of the bat and how they are deserving of protection.”

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