Exposing children to non-fiction is an important goal of many teachers and parent-teachers. Non-fiction can be a helpful and powerful tool when teaching children about the world and so the selection of non-fiction books should be done with the same care and precision that is used when selecting fiction for children. Providing children with non-fiction during storytime is a task that sometimes requires a bit of research on the part of the teacher/parent-teacher and depending on the age group you are reading to, finding engaging non-fiction is not always easy but alhamdulillaah, it is not impossible.
This book, Bat Loves The Night is a delightful non-fiction book that can be read aloud to toddlers, kindergarteners, and students in grades 1 and 2 insha'Allaah. The author, Nicola Davies, not only manages to skillfully place a large amount of information in the book (as was the case in Surprising Sharks), she also writes in a style that is easy for children to enjoy and comprehend.
Bat Loves The Night is also a book that teachers/parent-teachers may enjoy reading aloud to their students/children for the simple fact that the story is calm but has an air of mystery about it. As you read the story your voice changes, at times being suspenseful and then dropping to become full of intrigue and mystery. The illustrations are beautiful and invite children to appreciate the beauty of bats as they learn factual information about these nocturnal creatures.
Alhamdulillaah, this storytime selection only required one word be omitted from the reading (pixie) because it usually refers to fairies or sprites.
When looking for engaging, eloquent non-fiction for your classroom or homeschool, consider Bat Loves The Night for your collection. You may also wish to have a look at these lesson plans that can be used with Bat Loves the Night:
- Bats: Preschool Science Lesson (omit the singing part of the lesson plan)
- Guided Writing Lesson Plan for small group instruction on the topic of bats.
- Food for Bats: Children make bats and the types of food they eat with modeling clay **Remind children not to make facial features for their bats as this contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet -sallallaahu alayhi wa salam.**
Insha'Allaah more books from this author will be reviewed here soon.
But on your next trip to the library, check the shelf for Bat Loves The Night and if you find it...check it out insha'Allaah!