Benjamin Bat

Benjamin is a boastful bat.

He's a mighty hunter of moths and bugs who believes flying blind is his superpower. But while showing off for a friend, he becomes the hunted.

If he wants to live with the kind creatures in his forest home, he'd better learn humility and become Benjamin Bat, not Benjamin Brat.

New characters meet old favorites, Boon and Sneaks, in Kathy J. Perry's ongoing Oakwoods series of warm and delightful animal stories.

This is book one of the Oakwoods series of early reader chapter books featuring under-appreciated woodland animals. Perfect for young readers transitioning from picture to chapter books. Features include:

• Sassoon Primary font - a proven easy-to-read font for beginning readers.

• Internal thoughts of the main character printed in color. (Useful for very early or struggling readers. They can read those while you read the rest aloud.) Children love color.

• Beautiful full-color illustrations with a hidden creature to find.

• "What If?" discussion questions. Some about the story, and others for application to real life.

• A glossary for new words.

• "Did You Know?" section with facts about the real animal. In this story you'll learn about the hoary bat.

As a young girl, I loved reading and writing. My favorite book when I was a middle-schooler was Adventures of Perrine. The historical, foreign setting attracted me. Most of all, I identified with Perrine and wanted to be like her: courageous, discerning, resourceful, and self-reliant. Written in the 1800s, it is no longer in print, but it inspired the writing of the Emeline series: A Journey and Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893.A former teacher, my reason for writing is to provide today's youth with quality, relatable stories. I believe all stories, for good or bad, impact readers. We'll always value stories that illustrate moral character backed by biblical principles.I'm currently "retired" but work part-time as an administrative assistant while enjoying painting with watercolors, and baking. My husband of 43 years and I live north of the river in Kansas City, Missouri with our dog, Taz.

I was born and raised with one brother and two sisters in Trento, Italy. I always loved books, excelled in art, and wanted to be an illustrator someday. My parents did not want me to become an artist but a nurse, so that's what I did for a while.Eventually, I moved to London for a year to learn English and then went to California. There I worked as an au pair before becoming a student at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where I graduated with a BFA in art. My professional art career started from there.I have enjoyed illustrating children's books for sixteen years now and teach art part-time in a primary school. I currently make my home with my husband and two dogs in New Zealand. We have lived here for nineteen years and love it.