Amazon.com

What if you were a baby bat, and one fateful day you slipped from your mother's grasp and fell smack-dab into a bird's nest? This happens to little Stellaluna, and her world is literally turned upside down. This adorable, 5-inch-tall, high-quality plush bat, based on Janell Cannon's award-winning Stellaluna, can hang upside down off of your finger if you Velcro her feet together. You can also make her flap around freely with her exquisitely crafted wings that boast a 14-inch wingspan. If she's tired after a long day of playing, she can even fold her wings around herself! (Velcro dots keep the wings closed.) Big, brown, soulful eyes and tiny, white, behind-the-ear tufts make this little Stellaluna completely irresistible. (All ages) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent companion to a great book
I enjoy using the puppet while reading this high interest book to my 2nd grade students. It is fun to have the animal to share with my kids, many of whom have never seen a bat. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule--untilan owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her mother's loving grasp. The tiny bat is lucky enough to land in a nest of baby birds, but her whole world has just turned upside down. Literally. Stellaluna's adoptive bird mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. Soon Stellaluna has learned to behave like a good bird should--she quits hanging by her feet and starts eating bugs. But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded. "How can we be so different and feel so much alike?" one asks. "And how can we feel so different and be so much alike?" asks another. "I agree," Stellaluna responds. "But we're friends. And that's a fact." Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts--and possibilities--Stellaluna faces. This gorgeously illustrated book is sure to be an all-time favorite with readers, whether they've left the nest or not. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustration from Stellaluna, © 1993 by Janell Cannon, reproducedby permission of Harcourt Brace & Company) (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Bats in a bird's world
I bought this book after a fellow classmate showed it to our Early Literacy Learning class. The illustrations were so beautiful I went out and bought it that day. I now use the book when I am substitute teaching and the children love it.

The story is of a bat that falls into a bird's nest and is raised as a bat. The differences between the two kinds of animals are explored and explained. The comical episodes of a bat trying to live in a bird's world are done in an expert manner. The book has a happy ending and afterwards there is a section of notes and facts on bats. I have used this book to kick-off lesson plans on bats and birds, and also in planning a unit lesson on the rain forest.

If for no other reason, this book will appeal to your children, because every one of us has been in a situation where we felt we didn't belong, or we were embarrassed because we were different in some way. Cannon shows children how they can be more like Stellaluna and find comfort in themselves and who they are as individuals, even when they feel like a bat in a bird's world.

Why 5 stars?:
This book is worth buying simply for the illustrations. But, the story is one that shows not only compassion on the part of Mama Bird, but Stellaluna learning she does not have to change who she is to fit in. The information provided about bats at the end of the book is a great resource for children wanting to learn about the title character. This book will make a great addition to any classroom or home library.

A book worthy of owning
My first reaction to the book when the owl swooped down on the bats was "Oh, no, another Bambi, mother-abandonment story." It was a good thing it all ended happily. The story had nice, heartwarming elements, from little Stellaluna anxious to please the mother bird, and the baby birds trying "bat tricks" to the final reunion of the bat and the birds, and all of them still getting along.

I read this to my two-year old, and she loved it and she learned things from it. I would recommend it for an audience younger than 4.

I judge a book as well-written if the parent can read it over and over again on request and still find the book appealing. This book passed the test.

Not for adopted, orphaned, or step-kids!
I was shocked at the ending-Stellaluna is reunited with her birth family. That never happens to adopted or orphaned children, nor do stepchildren ever see their original family reunited. I'm not sure who this book is for-I don't see anything in it that children who have never "lost" a parent can identify with. For children that have "lost" a parent, the book just reinforces magical thinking. There are too many other great books out there-skip this one.

Stellaluna Review
This book is about a young fruit bat, who gets separated from her family and has to learn how to live like another bird. She has to overcome sitting upside-down and and eat the same food as birds, like worms. I liked this book when I was young and I still like it now. I like this book because of its equisite illustrations and its rich content. The author, Janell Cannon, really worked his magic in this book. He has made other books but this one is the best out of all of them. This book is a lot more interesting than all of his other book. It is amazing. I would recommend this book to all kids who like birds and bats.

Adorable Book
My son loves this book! Every night its in the pile of books to read. We read it so much he knows the book my heart and is learning the words himself. This book encourged him to read on his own, being his favorite The pictures are adorable, and the story is great. I would recommend this book to any child. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent to teach a lesson on bats and friendship.
I use this book in my classroom during my Halloween unit and Friendship unit. The children absoluteley love it and then ask their parents to buy it. Through the book, Stellaluna shows us how bats and birds are different and similiar. It is truely a loving story. Love It! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

It's gray. It's fuzzy!
It's gray. It's fuzzy. It's cute.

The addition of this fuzzy little creature with velcro wings makes the book come alive. ... Read more