By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The fifth graders squirmed in their seats as they waited for the big announcement Friday afternoon. Instead of packing into the gym for the secret book to be revealed, a video showed teachers dropping hints about this year’s 1BookBG. Curious clues were mentioned about bats and something “stinking.”
When the book was announced – it was like a rock star had descended into the classroom at Crim Elementary.
“Wooooooooo,” the students cheered when they learned the book chosen for all elementary students in Bowling Green to read was “A Boy Called BAT.”
“They’ve been guessing about it all week,” their teacher Michelle Thomas said.
The students were full of questions.
“Who’s the author?” Elana K. Arnold. “Who’s that?”
One student announced her plans to devour as many pages as she could over the weekend.
“I would just like to say, since I’m a fast reader, I’m probably going to read many chapters this weekend,” she said.
Thomas said that was fine – but “don’t be a book spoiler,” she added.
The class listened as Chapter 1 was read aloud to whet their appetites.
The students met Bixby Alexander Tam – otherwise known by his initials BAT. They learn he has no use for leftovers, cheese that has to be sliced, or the yogurt flavors that have fruit buried at the bottom.
Because of his sensitive hearing, Bat often wears his sister’s old earmuffs, and he flaps his hand when he is nervous or excited.
“Animals were his very favorite thing – even better than vanilla yogurt,” Chapter 1 told the fifth graders.
Thomas explained the “stinking” clue that preceded the book introduction.
“This is really a fun read about a little boy whose mom is a vet and brings home a skunk to rehabilitate,” Thomas said. As you older readers might guess – Bat wants to keep the skunk for a pet.
The book is more than a story about a boy and his skunk.
“It’s a book about children who aren’t normally the focus of books,” Thomas said.
Although the author never tells readers that Bat has autism, she shows how BAT feels, said Maria Simon, children’s librarian at Wood County District Public Library.
“This nurturing perspective gives readers a special opportunity to see things through BAT’s eyes,” Simon said. “Readers gain understanding, acceptance and appreciation for others in this positive, humorous, and endearing novel and will find much to discuss with others.”
Simon, who appeared with a stuffed skunk in the video showed to students Friday, said the book is perfect for April which is Autism Awareness Month.
“It really shows his world and how he sees the world,” she said after the big reveal.
BAT’s character shows perseverance and nurturing.
“Those are themes that can really sustain us right now,” Simon said.
Unlike previous 1BookBG programs, this year’s uses online copies of the book.
“When we planned 1BookBG, we had no idea what it was going to look like,” Thomas said. “Things are a little different with COVID.”
This year’s title is being shared with families digitally, in partnership with Wood County Public Library’s Hoopla service. A video explaining how to access Hoopla from the library website can be found at wcdpl.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xRYmOcQGk8
More information and activity suggestions are also available on the WCDPL Children’s Place Padlet https://padlet.com/woodkids/4kqmgsz0aqsoiy3i which is linked to the website https://wcdpl.org/1bookbg.
Multiple copies are available to check out from the library display in the Children’s Place. And Ben’s downtown is also selling paperback copies.
As always, the book will be read by kindergartners through fifth graders in all BG City Schools elementaries, St. Aloysius, BG Christian, Montessori School of BG, and Sleek Academy.
There will be trivia contests and “spirit days” at the schools.
Many local businesses are participating as “touch free trivia” sites, using posted QR codes. They include Sundae Station, Ben’s, For Keeps, Dairy Queen, Pagliai’s, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Retro, Tropical Smoothie, BGSU Ice Arena, Biggby, The Sweet Shop, BG Community Center and Kroger Starbucks.
While there will not be a community-wide family night event this year, families are encouraged to participate in home learning activities and school-based spirit days that center on the books themes of inclusion, autism awareness, and caring for animals.
Crim Principal Zeb Kellough noted how the 1BookBG project gets the entire community together reading the same book as its children.
“This best thing is engaging kids outside of school,” he said. “It’s a unique opportunity to take their education beyond the school doors.”
Simon said “A Boy Called Bat” is a story for all ages.
“I would recommend everybody read this book,” she said. “Books can really connect us.”
The library currently has one “take it make it” craft kit available now with a skunk origami bookmark and mask. A new craft will be available April 16-23.
The library is also hosting a Virtual Zoom with Nature’s Nursery on Monday, April 19, at 6 p.m., and a Virtual Family Dance Party on April 26, at 6 p.m. Families are asked to register by emailing woodkids@wcdpl.org or by completing the form on the website https://wcdpl.org/1bookbg
