TAB THE BAT

 

Illustration: Tab hanging from a branch, looking at the world upside down

 

Spread 1

Tab was a bat.

He slept all day
and hung all night.

Tab thought he wanted to be a cook.

From where Tab hung,
the world needs more plates.

 

Illustration: Upside-down world view holding pots and pans. One place setting.

 

Spread 2

At night, Tab cooked meals
for the animals of the day.

They did not try any.

Tab cooked anyway.

“Why did the tomato turn red while cooking spaghetti sauce?”
Tab asked.

 

Spread 3

“It saw the salad dressing!” said Tab.

The animals looked at Tab.

Tab looked at the animals.

No one laughed.

From where Tab hung,
that joke was sad.

 

Illustration: Serious animals look at each other.

 

Spread 4

Pig looked up.

He said he had to

“Spill the beans”.

Tab did not know Pig had beans.

Tab liked his beans green.

 

Illustration:  Tab has a bucket to pick up beans.

 

Spread 5

Tab made a meatloaf.

He peeled potatoes.

Tab learned to bake bread.

 

He even cooked

an apple pie.

 

Illustration:  Tab in the kitchen.

 

Spread 6

Tab set up his picnic.

He placed the dishes.

 

It was a nice spread.

“I’m saving their seats”

said Tab.

 

Illustration:  Tab by himself under his tree.

 

Spread 7

Tab cooked all spring.

He cooked all summer.

He cooked all fall.

No one came to eat.

 

Illustration: Same tree through seasons. Full plates

 

Spread 8

By winter,
Tab was tired of cooking.

He hung quietly.

“Maybe

I’ll always

have

to eat

alone,”
said Tab.

 

Illustration: Snow. Stillness. Quiet. Tab small with small grill. Big Tree.

 

Spread 9

Then, one day,
the animals walked up.

Tab stopped cooking.

“Hello?” he said.

 

Spread 10

Pig, Cow, Rabbit and Duck

stood close together.

They were wearing

paper napkins.

Finally, Duck said

“That smells good Tab,”

 

Illustration: All the animals with paper napkins around their necks.  Tab over a hot grill.

 

Spread 11

“Why did you come?”
asked Tab.

“We saw you cooking every night,”
said Cow.

“We thought you were too busy.”

“May we join you?”

said Rabbit.

 

Illustration: Animals looking kind.

 

Spread 12

“Oh my”

said Tab.

“I cooked for you?”

 

Illustration:  Tab and eyeing the food.

 

Spread 13

The animals sat together.
Tab hung from the tree.

Tab told jokes.

Some animals laughed.

 

Tab’s food was different,

but they ate anyway.

It was a good picnic.

 

Spread 14

From where Tab hung,
friends were better than cake.

Illustration: Quiet. Simple. Warm.

 

Endpapers

Illustration idea:

• Tab upside down
• Groundhog underground
• Tree roots and branches mirror each other