Booker is a library bat. This means, like the real bats of the Joanine Library in Portugal (which eat around 500 bugs per bat per night, keeping the books safe from book eating bugs) he protects the books in the library he lives in. On his first night as a guard, with three old-timers (my favorite is Rocco who uses gel in his fur but they are all adorable), he decides to check out the library to get the lay of the land. That night though, something worse (and a lot less yummy) than bugs is lurking in the stacks! And the answer to stopping this thing is something one should never do in a library! (Which is to Poop!)
This book, Booker the Library Bat Volume 1: The New Guard is a bit naïve, sentimental and cute, not to mention it is funny and cozy as well. The text of Jess Brallier is maybe a bit idealistic, but you get into things, finding yourself rooting for our sweet hero. And the mystery of how our friend Booker is going to save the day will keep your young reader engaged.
And of course, all the above I said about the text is the same with the illustrations of Jeff Harter. Everything is just gosh-darn-adorable! And that joke with the why and how they save the day, (and the lesson of one should not mess in the library) makes this a giggling good time and educational. Some bat facts included. (Currently available, was read via an online reader copy.)
