By Martha Hamlett for The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 11, 2010
Author Showcase: A place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works.*
by Martha Hamlett (Author), Davey Morgan (Illustrator)
Reading Level: Preschool – 2nd Grade
Soft Cover: 32 pages
Publisher: AuthorHouse (November, 2008)
What to Expect: Fun, Energetic, Full-Color Picture Book Which Integrates Easy-to-Read Rhymes and Engaging Imagery to Spark the Imagination of Children of All Ages (Lots of Silly Bats, Too!)
In Bats in the Air, Bats in My Hair, what begins as an average overnight stay at Grandmother’s house turns out to be anything but normal for young Sally. She arrives at Grandmother’s and decides to go to bed early after her long trip. Then about midnight, she awakes to a lot of ‘squeaks and flutters’ which the readers quickly find out belong to some very mischievous bats.
“She heard a squeak then a flutter.
She jumped out of bed with a shudder.
There were bats in the air and bats in her hair.”
These creative and comical bats are soon flying around her room and even accidently end up tangled in her hair. They are everywhere and into everything. They try on her jewelry and hair bows. They jump on the bed and off the curtains, and they hide in the pictures with the hope of not getting put outside.
However, Sally and her Grandmother work as a team to figure out a way to get them to leave.
““Open the window,” her Grandmother cried.
Sally couldn’t budge it no matter how hard she tried.
They tugged and pulled on the window together.
They just had to get rid of those bats forever.
The window flew open, and Grandmother grabbed the broom.
She swept those bats right out of the room.”
After the excitement is over and Sally is able to go back to bed, those silly, little bats keep dancing in her head. Not exactly sugarplums. She leaves the next morning. The reader, however, needs to be sure to take a close look at the picture. It seems Sally’s little midnight visitors hitch a ride home with her. Poor Sally. She will have another night of “partying” with her new bat friends.
Bats in the Air, Bats in My Hair has the visual appeal and creative storyline to make reading fun for the Kindergarten through 2nd grade age child.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Martha Clowdis Hamlett grew up in a small farming community in Virginia. A lot of her story ideas come from her “adventures” while growing up. “Bats in the Air, Bats in My Hair” was created from her memories of one very interesting overnight adventure at her own Grandmother’s house. Over the years, she has read her stories in the local schools using them as creative activities to stretch the imagination of the students.
Since the book released, she has been reading in schools all over Virginia. She has also been honored to speak at several teacher and librarian conferences. She believes in teaching children to reach for their goals. She often shares, “The only limitations you have are those that you set for yourself.”
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Davey Morgan graduated from Erskine College with a degree in Visual Art. He draws his inspiration from books and comic books he read as a child, such as Curious George and Sonic the Hedgehog. He loves drawing images with lots of color so they jump off of the page and draw the reader in. He also draws inspiration from such movies as Castle in the Sky and Spirited Away. When he is not drawing, he uses his visual talents in his photography business.
“Bats in the Air, Bats in My Hair” can be purchased online at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and other retailers – ISBN# 978-1-4389-2358-1
Book Website www.//batsintheair.com
Author Email: Martha@webovations.net
*Titles featured in the Author Showcase have not been reviewed by The Children’s Book Review, and reflect the thoughts of the author, illustrator, or publishing company.