Boston's Book Nook Blog~ Boston Goes "Batty" Over Brian Lies' Bat Books!

Through the centuries, writers have filled their children's books with endearing animal creatures who have taught millions of important life lessons within the discoveries of their adventures.   Who could forget the cuddly teddies from "Goldilocks and the Three Bears",  the fluffy bunnies from "Peter Cottontail" or the entertaining amphibians of "The Adventures of Old Mr. Toad."   Readers are smitten with these characters because of their easy likability and gateway into fantastical worlds beyond their imagination.  One children's series in particular that is growing in popularity exponentially across the country is The Bat series by Boston's own, Brian Lies.  Including the epic tales, "Bats at the Beach", "Bats at the Library" and his newest release, "Bats at the Ballpark", the author takes us on a journey to these familiar locations but through the eyes of a bat.

Originally from Princeton, New Jersey, Mr. Lies realized his dream to write children's books after a visit to his fifth grade class from a guest children's book author.  Naturally finding himself drawn to the artistic world, he  found himself relocating to Boston after being accepted into The Museum of Fine Arts graduate arts program where he continued his drawing and painting studies.  During this time, the author was published for his political illustrations in both the Boston Globe and the Christian Science Monitor which gave his a peek into the publishing world.   It wasn't until the chance meeting with a Houghton Mifflin art director where Brian landed his first illustration job for the book, "Flatfoot Fox and the Case of the Missing Eye", giving way to over twenty illustrating and writing projects.

The Bat books have become a local favorite, entertaining children with hysterical "batty" perspectives of library reading("hang out" by the lamps to schmooze), beach days("bugmallows") and trips to the ballgames ("mothdogs").  Known to a few, the idea to write and draw the bat stories came from his daughter who one day spotted what looked like a bat in sea foam etched into a frosted window pane.  Although the armadillo is his favorite animal, he was inspired by the winter display and went on to pen and illustrate these tales in poetic stanzas.  Today, Brian Lies is a consistent New York Times Best Seller, winner of a multitude of literary awards and contributes regularly to the magazines Babybug and Cricket.  Hopeful that there will be a continuation of these three books, this city has clearly shown its endearment towards "the batty" Boston based books!