Gone Batty by Dan Riskin

Biologist and TV personality Dan Riskin has published a new children’s book titled “Fiona the Fruit Bat,” which tells the story of a baby bat afraid to take its first flight. The idea for the book originated from Riskin’s experiences as a graduate student at York University, where he studied bats and had a memorable encounter with a short-tailed fruit bat in Costa Rica. Riskin, known for his work as a science communicator on shows like Discovery Channel’s “Daily Planet” and Animal Planet, collaborated with illustrator Rachel Qiugi to bring the story to life. The book aims to introduce children to science by making it engaging and relatable. Riskin’s career has been marked by unexpected opportunities, from hosting TV shows to writing books, and he encourages others to embrace new challenges with enthusiasm.