BATS IN THE NIGHT

An interesting overview of bats in general, along with descriptions of ""some bats you may see."" All twelve have their special features, which are well accented here; this is no repetitive life-cycle rundown. Laycock begins too babyishly--""People are not nice to bats""--but his approach to a child's level works better soon after, when he invites readers to imagine, in some detail, growing long fingers and bats' wings. The usual topics--bats' sonar, the habits of vampire bats, cave communities--are sensibly explained, and Laycock also brings in some less known material, such as a serious scheme during World War II to have bats carry bombs into enemy homes and buildings. With arresting and well-matched photos.