By Barbara O’Connor
A Boy Called Bat
Written by Elana K. Arnold; With Pictures by Charles Santoso
Bat surprises himself, his family and teacher, when his mother, a veterinarian, brings home a stray baby skunk that needs to be cared for before he is sent to a wild animal shelter. Bat falls head over heels with this skunk and wants so very much to keep him forever, that he figures out ways to prove to his mother and family that he is capable and responsible.
There is never a doubt that Bat has a huge heart and this is one of the endearing things portrayed in this chapter book. Through this period of time that he has to convince his mother that he should keep the skunk, Bat finds himself growing through his dislikes and sensitivities and allowing himself to interact with others outside his immediate circle. He allows himself to suffer uncomfortable moments, to interact with others, to think before he acts and basically to grow, all in order to care for this precious skunk named Thor. Bat emerges as a happy boy at the end of this book acknowledging that he doesn’t know how things will turn out with the skunk and his new friend but that this is enough for the moment. Luckily we have two sequels: Bat and the Waiting Game and Bat and the End of Everything. Share this one!