Bat's Big Game Book

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!

Children's Literature

Through the use of a popular sport and appealing animal characters, this simplified retelling of a classic Aesop's tale teaches a lesson about team spirit, loyalty and friendship. The Animals and Birds decide to play a competitive game of soccer, and both teams design T-shirts to prepare for the big game. The Birds' T-shirts are orange with a big white B and the Animals' T-shirts are blue with a big white B. Bat, who wants to play on the winning team, switches from team to team throughout the game and is finally told that he can not play at all because, as Bear says, "good players stick with their team even when they are losing." This is a wonderful book with a special message and illustrations that are lively, expressive and unique. Young readers will learn about characteristics of animals as well as birds as they read about how Bat classifies himself as a bird to be on the birds' team and then as an animal to be on the animals' team. Young readers will enjoy this delightful animal story about soccer, loyalty and sportsmanship, and they will enjoy reading this book with or without an adult reading partner. This appealing book will be treasured by young readers, and it will be a wonderful addition to any primary-grade classroom library collection. Reviewer: Susan Borges