The internet can be a fun and interesting place. I belong to a group on Facebook that is bat related. Mostly there are cute bat pictures, or someone showing a bat item they have or found. Once or twice we even get news about bats. (Mostly it is adorable bat pictures.) One day a member posted about her book The Night Defenders. Danielle K. Herker told us the Evil Empire was selling it. And since I was curious about it, I did a little research and found my independent bookstore was able to order it and of course, I decided to give them the business (and pay myself to work there).
This picture book was not my OMG favorite. I thought it was going to be factual, instead it is a poetic and fantasy based story about a bat talking about how great they are and how you shouldn’t trust the other animals. The images (also by Herker) are a bit psychedelic. They are minimalist in details but they did not skimp on the colors. Things are large as well. There is a large focal point, large color and large feeling coming off of things.
Overall, this book did not wow me. However, I do like supporting an independent/self published author. I do like that this book is not exactly “just like all the other books about bats.” I like the passion behind it. I plan on donating it to my local library as it does not fit with my other keep books, but I know that there is an artistic kid or two (or an adult or two) that will appreciate the uniqueness.