Halloween is coming! It’s the perfect time to curl up with one of our favorite fiction or nonfiction picture books about bats for preschoolers.
Bats are interesting creatures. They’re nocturnal animals that use echolocation to find their way around in the dark. They’re the perfect animal to add to your preschool Halloween activities.
Here are some really great books about bats for toddlers through elementary grade readers.
Whether you’re looking to share a classic from your childhood or you’re looking for something new, this collection of picture books is a great place to begin your book basket.
It’s Raining Bats & Frogs
A little witch named Delia has been looking forward all year to flying in the annual Witch Parade. When the rumors of rain come true and the other witches start complaining, Delia takes action. Using her best magic, Delia changes the rain to cats and dogs. At first this goes over quite well, but she quickly realizes the animals cause a few issues. She must change the rain again! This time to hats and clogs. And finally, she tries bats and frogs. But each new type of rain brings its own set of problems. How will Delia save the day?
Littlebat, who lives in the attic of the public library, loves to poke his head through a hole in the floor and listen to the librarian read stories to the children. One day he gets so excited by a picture in a book that he loses his grip and plummets into the room below. The children scream and the librarian shoos him away. Littlebat’s mother says he must wait for “changes” before going so close to a book again. So Littlebat waits. The seasons slowly change, from spring to summer to fall. At last the nights are longer and cooler and the leaves have turned red and gold. Pumpkins appear. It’s time!
On Halloween, when the goblins and witches are having a ball, who is the scariest of them all? Batty Bat, just look and see. Bat takes Spider for a flight; but Spider is afraid of heights. Bat in a sheet makes a ghostly sight; poor Mouse gets alarmed and runs in fright. Proud Batty Bat knows he’s the best all right-he’s the king of Halloween night.
Little Bat swoops and spins through the night sky, gathering treats before returning home again in this adorable addition to the Finger Puppet library. This fun and interactive reading experience is a great way for parents to enjoy Halloween—or any day—with their children.
It’s Halloween and Diego and Alicia are throwing a party at the Animal Rescue Center. Everyone is there—including Freddie the fruit bat. But where are Linda the Llama and her baby llamas? Come along and help Diego and Freddie save the llamas and the Halloween party!
Here are beautiful and instructive introductions to animals and nature for pre-school boys and girls. In this “I Am” Series book, kids discover that bats come in many different sizes, and live nearly all over the world. Boys and girls become acquainted with these fascinating creatures through simple text and vivid pictures.
What won’t this old lady swallow? This time around, a bat, an owl, a cat, a ghost, a goblin, some bones, and a wizard are all on the menu! This Halloween-themed twist on the classic “little old lady” books will delight and entertain all brave readers who dare to read it!
There are plenty of creatures in the world that some people would prefer to live without! Bats and spiders are scary. Bees and snakes can be deadly. But each of these creatures plays an important role in its ecosystem.
A breathtaking picture book by award-winning author Ari Berk, illustrated by mega-bestseller Loren Long, about a young bat setting off into the world using only his good sense!
Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie! It’s American Batstand – a twelve-hour rock and roll extravaganza with Click Dark as your host. Decked in go-go boots and bobby sox, the buoyant bats bebop their way around the clock. And there’s a special guest appearance at the end!
After hours at the library, the bats discover an open window and fly in to explore the library. Bats at the Libraryis full of all kinds of batty antics like making shadows on the copier and frolicking in the fountain. You can follow these bats through other stories as well such as Bats at the Ballgame, Bats at the Beach, and Bats in the Band.
In Bat Loves the Nightlittle ones follow bat as she flies through the night looking for food. Kids are introduced to the concept of echolocation, as well.
Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Batsworks well as a read-aloud with preschoolers. Full of information about bats, kids will learn how mother bats take care of their young, how they hunt for food, and where bats live. There are also instructions on how to build a bat house in your backyard.
Gail Gibbons is one of my favorite non-fiction children’s authors. Her illustrations are large. The text is easy enough for young readers/listeners to comprehend. In Bats, Gail Gibbons describes different types of bats, their characteristics, and their life cycle.
Stellaluna is one of my favorite picture books. After being separated from her mother, Stellaluna is adopted by a family of birds. She tries hard to adapt to their lifestyle. At the end of the book, there are a couple of pages of facts about bats.
I hope you’ve discovered some new books about bats for preschoolers! Leave a comment and let me know which book is your favorite!
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.
