Coming July 24, 2025!

I'm thrilled to announce that my debut picture book, Mama Bat and Baby Bat...Screech, Chirp, Chatter, will be published July 24, 2025. You can order the book from Amazon.

I've been interested in bats since 2016, when I was teaching about it in my classroom. A student was reading about the challenges of sea turtles and asked if we could help. After a small fundraising event, we sent money to a nature conservation program serving sea turtles.

The teacher in me wanted to make this learning opportunity more relevant and wondered if there were animals in Indiana needing our help. After a quick google search, we discovered the Indiana Bat, as well as many other species of bats, are endangered. This information ignited a full blown inquiry to learn more about bats. And then Mama Bat and Baby Bat: Screech, Chirp, Chatter was born!

In this poetic and evocative picture book, a baby bat is born into the upside-down world of a dark cave, wrapped in the warmth and protection of his loving mama. Through rhythmic sounds and rich imagery, readers follow the early bond between mother and pup as they learn each other's scent and voice.

But when Mama Bat must leave to hunt, the baby is left behind in a sea of bats. Alone, he toddles and climbs, searching through darkness and confusion for the familiar sound and smell of his mama. Their heartfelt reunion at dawn is a touching celebration of the strength of maternal love and the unbreakable bond between parent and child.

I hope you'll purchase this book for a child or bat-lover or future bat-lover in your life. I've also added some fun (free!) coloring pages, which you download and share along with the book.

Coloring_Page_1.pdf

Download PDF • 881KB

Coloring_Page_2.pdf

Download PDF • 1.07MB

If you're in the Evansville, IN area, feel free to join me at Locally Loved Boutique on July 24 for the official book launch! In addition to hearing readings of the book, I'll be giving out book-themed bookmarks, stickers, and door prizes, and you'll be able to purchase signed copies of Mama Bat and Baby Bat: Screech, Chirp, Chatter. Hope to see you there!