Oscar and the Bat: A Book About Sound (Start with Science) [Paperback]

Geoff Waring (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Start with Science

Start with Science books introduce kids to core science concepts through engaging stories, fresh illustrations, and supplemental activities.

When Oscar hears a blackbird singing in the meadow, Bat swoops in to talk to him about sound. A sudden thunderstorm and a visiting cow give Oscar lots of opportunities to learn about sounds that are loud or soft, near or far, deep or high.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—A young cat discovers that there's a lot to learn. In the first book, he admires bird songs and then runs from the noise of an approaching thunderstorm while a bat points out some characteristics of sound. In the second title, the feline plays with a ball as a friendly cricket points out the principles behind its motion. Without using scientific vocabulary, the author introduces the concepts of force, resistance, speed or pitch, volume, and proximity. Additional examples are incorporated into the respective story lines. A final spread provides a review of the scientific principles and suggests simple exploratory activities. The digitally produced, full-bleed artwork has muted tones and mostly flat shapes reminiscent of illustrations from the 1950s. Children will recognize themselves in Oscar in these discussion starters. For similar content but a more exuberant approach to motion, try Claire Llewellyn's And Everyone Shouted, "Pull!" (Picture Window, 2005).—Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Clear and immediate, this story in the Start with Science fiction series talks about the great variety of sounds around us—harsh, gentle, high, scary, and beautiful. Spacious digital color illustrations show Oscar the Cat in a meadow with his friend Bat, who answers Oscar’s questions with fascinating scientific detail, such as how various animals use different parts of their bodies to communicate (dolphins send messages underwater through their blowholes and rattlesnakes lift and shake their tails); what makes sound; and what we can hear when we listen carefully. The two animals also speak about the wonder of silence. Without abstraction, this picture book will fascinate beginning readers and make them aware of the biology and physics involved in listening to the simplest sounds. Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 22, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763645133
• ISBN-13: 978-0763645137
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 0.2 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,199,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a marvelous, thoughtful way to introduce the young child to physical science!, August 4, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Oscar and the Bat: A Book About Sound (Start with Science) (Hardcover)

Oscar was a wide-eyed gray and white kitten who was playing in a meadow. He was watching and listening to the sounds around him. "Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep." Bat swooped down next to the little kitty to tell him about the songs and sounds of the meadow. He told him that the sound he was hearing was that of some "baby blackbirds" and told him that "Our ears help us know what's around us, even when our eyes can't." Squeak, squeak, squeak! Bat was going to tell him all about the sounds around them, including some in far away places that made sounds with their bodies.

"Chirruh-chirp" goes the grasshopper. "Hiss, hiss. Hiss, hiss" go the cockroaches. "Whistle, whirrrr" warn the hummingbird wings. "Click, whistle, squeak." The bottlenose dolphin in a faraway ocean is talking through her blowhole. "Rattle, rattle." Do you know who "talks" like that? Grasses, tractors, ponds and streams all have their own sounds. The sky can rumble and tell us of an impending storm. "Rumble, rumble. Rumble, CRASH!" It was time for Oscar to take cover and listen to more sounds in the meadow. What is one other sound he probably heard after the rumble?

This is a marvelous, thoughtful way to introduce the young child to physical science. The reader follows a wide-eyed Oscar through the book as Bat tells him about sounds, noises and who or what is making them. By the time you are though reading this book with your youngster, he or she will be able to tell you not only what a cow sounds like, but will be able to hiss like a cockroach and rumble like thunder. In the back of the book is an index and brief sections on listening, making sound and different sounds. What goes gurgle, gurgle?

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!, January 16, 2011

By 

Amanda (Akron, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oscar and the Bat: A Book About Sound (Start with Science) (Paperback)

Bought this for bf's 5 year-old daughter. The book itself is nice, and the author helps teach basic science concepts well. As someone in the sciences, I think it is a great book for young children!

4.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Preschoolers, December 23, 2009

By 

Kate "mindful mommy" (Gaylord, MI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Oscar and the Bat: A Book About Sound (Start with Science) (Paperback)

We have four of the Oscar books. They introduce scientific concepts to YOUNG kids - please do not think you are purchasing a book that will explain echolocation in depth - you are not. I have to admit that the illustrations win me over to these books more than the content. I do recommend them for parents or teachers of preschoolers and/or early elementary students. My two boys thoroughly enjoy following Oscar through each of the books in our collection.