Bat's Big Game - Hardcover

MacDonald, Margaret Read

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807505870 ISBN 13: 9780807505878

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company, 2008

Synopsis

The Animals and Birds are getting ready for the big game. Bat wants to WIN. The Animals look strong and fast, so Bat picks that side. But when the Animals fall behind, Bat switches to the Bird team--doesn't a bat have wings? Maybe the Birds will win!

About this title

About the Authors

Eugenia Nobati is a published author and an illustrator of children's books. Published credits of Eugenia Nobati include Bat's Big Game, En Coche Va Una Nina, Dame Un Besito, and Una Bruja Casi Perfecta.

Margaret Read MacDonald is a children's librarian turned storyteller who travels the world sharing tales. Her many picture book retellings include The Boy from the Dragon Palace, Little Rooster's Diamond Button, and Mabela the Clever. When not traveling, she lives near Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 3—In this retelling of a traditional fable, Bat cannot decide whether he wants to be on the Animals' or the Birds' soccer team. At first he chooses the Animals, but when they start to fall behind, he switches to the Birds. When they start to lose, he tries to switch back. The Animals find his lack of loyalty distasteful and eject him from the game. The text is compact and has an innate rhythm characteristic of a veteran storyteller. Nobati's full-page, digitally created color illustrations are highly stylized. Readers must look carefully at some of the players to try to decide what kind of animal they are. Despite this, the pictures are full of action and re-create the mood of a heated soccer game.—Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT
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It’s time for the Animals versus Birds soccer game. Bat only wants to play on the winning team, though, and he decides that the Animals have a better shot at victory. Showing off his teeth and fur, Bat convinces the Animals that he belongs with them, but when the Birds start winning, Bat slips away, removes his “A” jersey, and, spreading his wings, convinces the Birds that he is one of them. Then the Animals regain the lead, and Bat tries to change sides again. Bat learns his lesson, though, when Bear tells him that “a good player sticks with the team, even when they are losing.” MacDonald’s retelling of an Aesop tale features a lively cast of diverse animals and birds. The text incorporates font and punctuation cues to inspire lively read-alouds, and the colorful, stylized digital illustrations feature animated soccer action and comical characters. Kids will find Bat’s escapades entertaining, and they may also appreciate the lessons in loyalty and sportsmanship. A brief author’s note cites the story’s source. Grades K-3. --Shelle Rosenfeld

Edition details

• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807505870
• ISBN 13: 9780807505878
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Nobati Eugenia
• Number of pages: 32