6th July 2017
It has been one year since Bobby the Brown Long-Eared Bat flew off the shelf and was introduced to the world. This incredible little book written and published by Angela Mills, and illustrated by the talented wildlife artist Kate Wyatt, is a beautiful depiction of the life of a Brown Long-Eared bat. We follow Bobby through his first adventure away from the comfort of his mother and the maternity roost, and get an insight into the night to night activities of a Brown Long-Eared bat. The book cleverly highlights informative and educational facts about bats, their habitats and their behavior. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, not only for children, but for adults too.
The Brown Long-eared bat is found throughout the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man, and whilst they are not endangered, they are threatened. Their numbers have declined in Britain due to changing land use, including modern intensive agricultural practices, and the conversion of barns which have resulted in the loss of suitable feeding and roosting habitats. They are particularly susceptible to pesticides, especially their use in roofs where they often roost on exposed timbers.
Unfortunately it is not only brown long-eared bats that are threatened in the UK. Bat populations have declined considerably over the last century. They are still under threat from building and development work that affects roosts, loss of habitat, the severing of commuting routes by roads and threats in the home including cat attacks, flypaper and some chemical treatments of building materials. Other potential threats can include wind turbines and lighting if they are sited on key bat habitat on near roosts.
With this in mind it is so important that books such as Bobby the Brown Long-Eared Bat are read by a wide range of people to shed a positive light on bats. It's time to reverse the negative stereotype that bats endure in literature! Authors such as Angela Mills are invaluable when it comes to doing just this. Angela hopes that 'Bobby's story will educate and inspire both children and adults to learn more about the incredible yet misunderstood creatures'. Bobby's story has already raised £200 towards bat conservation in the form of donations raised from the sale of each book. These donations go directly toward the work done at the Bat conservation Trust. If you would like to find out more or are interested in buying a copy of Bobby the Brown Long-Eared Bat then please follow THIS LINK.
Angela is currently looking for a publisher for Bobby so if you know of a publisher that would be interested in this fantastic book then please follow the link to be directed to her website HERE.
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