The Bat Graphic Novel

Picture Book, Graphic Novel, Non-Fiction, Science/Nature

Chiroptera. What does the word mean? Where does it come from? Should we be worried? It’s the scientific name for a bat, and that information sets off The Bat by Elise Gravel. Apparently bats aren’t as creepy or scary as people thought.

Elise Gravel’s The Bat is a nonfiction graphic novel aimed at educating young readers about all things chiroptera. It covers their diets, physical biology, the roles they play in their environments as pollinators and bug eaters, and how people can help keep them safe. The graphic illustrations provide a visual understanding of bat bodies and “batty” personalities while complimenting the text with a more personable approach.

The friendly fanged bat is themselves a cheerful guide to all things batty (yes, there’s even a guest appearance of Bat Man). Each of the bats have personality and character that come through in often-comical facial expressions. Their situations range from skiing, to accidently awakening hibernating bears, to hanging around upside down.