Stellaluna - Janell Cannon

Coming-of-age story with natural science lesson.

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Common Sense rates it
4
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Book details
  • Author:Janell Cannon
  • Publisher:Harcourt Brace and Co.
  • Original Publication Date: 04/01/1993
  • Genre: Fiction - Picture Book
  • Hardcover: $16.00
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: Ages 4-8
  • Read Aloud: 4+
  • Read Alone: 6+

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that Stellaluna is taken by a family of birds after an owl attacks her mother, knocking her out of her mother's grasp.

Families can talk about pretending to be something you're not. Both species here try to act like each other. How is trying to act like a bird good for Stellaluna? In what ways is it harmful? What does she learn about love and friendship from the experience?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

Warm, realistic illustrations enhance the antics of the baby bat's bird-like adventures. But Stellaluna has the most fun when she discovers the joys of batness! Janell Cannon combines her coming-of-age story with a lesson in natural science, introducing readers to the world of bats and birds.



Is it any good?

4

Children and adults alike respond to Cannon's artwork; the luminous, full-page, color illustrations are realistically rendered and convey lots of scientific information. Each text page has a tiny black-and-white thumbnail sketch that echoes the color page.

The premise of a bat trying to live with birds is humorous--a humor that is fully exploited in illustrations of the young bat and birds all hanging out of the nest by their feet, and in four small pictures of Stellaluna's attempts to land on a branch (something fruit bats cannot do). Some adults reading the book aloud, however, may find that the text lacks the vibrancy of the illustrations.

The lessons of self-acceptance and accepting others are demonstrated throughout the book: "Mama Bird told me I was upside down. She said I was wrong..." "Wrong for a bird, maybe, but not for a bat."

One children's librarian described the book as a wonderful selection for read-aloud sessions with four and five-year-olds, but noted that they "have to get into it." Before sharing the story, adult readers may want to spend some time introducing children to bats and setting the mood for a quiet, reflective story.

Readers who fall under the bat spell may also enjoy Randall Jarrell's delightful book, The Bat Poet, which also explores conformity.

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