Stellaluna

by Janell Cannon

Book Overview

While out searching for food, fruit bat Stellaluna and her mother are attacked by a vicious owl. Stellaluna is separated from Mother Bat and taken in by a family of birds where she must put aside her bat habits to fit in with her new family. But one fateful flight when she is separated from her adoptive siblings, Stellaluna is reunited with her bat family and learns that even though we're different, we're very much the same.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 015201540X
• ISBN13: 9780152015404
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 15.7" x 15.7"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Cute

Cute story and pictures. Probably a better story for a 3 yr old and up.

For older kids

This board book has absolutely beautiful illustrations. It also has quite a bit of test per page, much of it dialogue. It is a very cute story that I'm sure my toddler will one day enjoy but that day will have to wait until he has a bit more patience when it comes to turning pages. Also of note not a rhyming story if that is important to you

Best book ever on how to accept and even enjoy our differences.

The story is beautiful and the illustrations amazing. My 3 year old granddaughter will have me read this every night if possible.

My Most Favorite Childrens Book Ever!!!!

Recently I have been on a binge of reading and buying childrens books. I especially enjoy those with a teaching or inspirational message woven into great story (not preaching). Additionally I search for those books which are so beautifully illustrated that it stimulates conversation with young child is as I read. Stellaluna immediately went to the TOP of my list of the dozens in my collection. I felt like a child myself when reading, and lights kept clicking on as I read, the many heartwarming messages in this book are amazing. I will not write another synopsis of the book because the previous reviewers have done indepth excellent ones but I hope EVERYONE OF EVERY AGE will buy this book and read it. I was uplifted and felt more willing to simply slow down and think, to 'appreciate the ways of others' but also to understand that 'if I am different it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with me'. I'm going to keep this book on my coffee table and encourage all visitors young and old to read it. Illustrations fantastic. If I were to suggest other books on top of my list Max Lucado's series of the Wemmicks, You Are Special and all in that series. Also a book with great message is Have you filled your Bucket Today? By Carol McCloud First, STELLALUNA!!!!!

Wrong Book!!!

According to my shipping and tracking information, this book was delivered to my home 3/20/2019. WRONG! Instead of "Stellaluna", a gift for my 5 year old granddaughter, a book arrived by the title..." Woman Hollering Creek and other stories"! Cannot give 0 stars, so 1 star it is...very disappointed:(

My favorite children's book

If I HAD to answer the question: What is your favorite children's book?, I would have to pick "Stellaluna." There, this children's librarian committed, but I think my students would know that. It's one of their favorites, too!! What makes this book so special? E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!! The story line, the embedded lessons, and the sweet, sweet illustrations. I don't know how well you can see the young bat's face on the cover. If you can, notice that darling tongue sticking out, like a puppy's. Notice her struggle, expressed with joy, to hold on to the limb. And we have not even opened the book yet! This is the story of a young bat who is separated from her mother after an owl attacks them in flight. She falls into a tree, then into a bird's nest filled with three hungry babies who are already fully feathered. The mother bird adopts her but insists she eat bugs like her babies. Stellaluna is a fruit bat, but adopts the ways of birds, except for hanging by her feet to sleep. Her new siblings try it one day. Mother returns and expresses her dismay. The babies are hilariously portrayed with their bird feathers hanging down from their heads. When they learn to fly, poor Stellaluna is so clumsy trying to land upright on a limb with feet equipped for hanging, not perching. At night her bat radar comes into play and she goes weird on them flying by radar. Eventually, her bat mother finds her and Stella's world is restored. She discovers she eats mangoes, not bugs. She is delighted! And the second best part is that she remains friends with her bird friends. Embedded lessons: 1. Bats are what they are; birds are what they are. 2. We can accept each other's differences and be enriched by the experience. 3. It's good to walk in another's shoes just a short time. 4. There are some artists with stories sweet and heartwarming without being saccharine. 5. The author furnishes "Bat Notes" on the last two pages for further educational value. This book belongs in every child's personal library and on the shelf in every children's library. Highly recommended. Other favorite books by Janell Cannon: Pinduli Verdi

Wisdom From A Fruit Bat

"Stellaluna" is the creation of Janell Cannon, who has for years helped educate children on animals, and dispel myths about animals that are not as cute and cuddly as pets. Stellaluna is a baby fruit bat who is knocked from her mother's grasp in a fight with an owl; she finds herself in the nest of an accommodating bird and is raised with three of her chicks. The book deals with recognizing and appreciating differences in others, respecting rules of the house, and concepts of love and friendship. The book is well written and gorgeously illustrated: kids will love it, and adults will be stunned by the quality of the artwork. Throughout it all, the messages of the importance of respect and friendship are paramount. The book deals especially well with the need to "fit in" felt by most children at some point, and pointedly deals with clumsiness and physical differences. The last two pages of the book are devoted to scientific facts on bats, and are both interesting and informative. I thought it was great that Cannon taught young readers about Stellaluna (she's a fruit bat, or megachiroptera, and as such is a relatively large bat,) which makes reading the book not only a fun experience with important life lessons, but also a factual source of information for young inquiring minds. "Stellaluna" is everything you could want in a children's book, and I recommend it to parents, teachers, and (of course) children everywhere.

More than just a "bat" book...

This book is about Stellaluna, a baby bat who finds itselflost, hungry, alone, and accidentally in a nest full of baby birds. The little bat is accepted by the birds, but somehow never feels at home, especially after a good scolding from the mother bird about hanging upside down -- hillarious. The artwork is outstanding, the story is entertaining, and children and adults love this book. I have even picked it up and read it a time or two after the children went to bed. This is an award winning book, and for good reason. There are strong underlying messages in it about place, acceptance, home and family. Definitely 5+ stars...

A Sweet and Engaging Book

My boys love this book! They loved it so much I bought the CD-ROM book as well. And the plush bat! They enjoy hanging Stellaluna upside down while reading the story.The story itself is a little scary when the owl appears and Stellaluna is separated from her mother in the dark forest. But the mother bird and her babies are quick to accept and help Stellaluna. The story emphasizes that differences should be celebrated and accepted, and it's always best to just be yourself. It also shines a positive spotlight on an animal that gets a bad rap--the bat. I'd rate this book better than Cannon's other book, which is about snakes, "Verdi."The artwork is beautiful; I love simply looking at the pages. And the "Bat Notes" section at the end is informative; I know because my pre-reading child wanted me to read it out loud several times!Lovers of nature, superb artwork, and literature will not be disappointed reading this story to their little ones.

A fantastic book for children of all ages

I am a teacher in Scottsdale, Arizona. This book is such a powerful tool in teaching children about accepting people for who they are, especially our friends. This simple story of a bat is one children can enjoy and understand.