Susie’s Book Nook - Children’s Book Review: “Stellaluna” written and illustrated by Janell Cannon

Two and a half years ago I got “roped into” this book nook idea with 2 cute children’s stories recommended by a friend. (Check out my bio on You Tube to see how I was “caught.”) Well, my next three books that I want to introduce this year have come to my attention also via friends. Let’s start with “Stellaluna” written and illustrated by Janell Cannon.

Stellaluna is a little fruit bat who has been enthralling children of all ages and cultures since 1993. She reminds us of a universal fact that “we can be so different and feel so much alike….and we can feel so different and be so much alike.” As Flip, a baby bird chirps, “it’s quite a mystery.” To which Stellaluna replies, “But we’re friends, and that’s a fact.”

Stellaluna as a tiny baby fruit bat finds herself separated from her mother while being attacked in the night by an owl. She falls rapidly down into the dark forest below. But as luck would have it, she is caught in a tangle of branches with a twig small enough for her tiny feet to cling. But how long can she hold on? Only until daybreak when she drops headfirst into a soft downy nest startling three baby birds, Flap, Flitter, and Pip.

Here Janell treats us to a charming story of how one tiny bat is befriended by a bird family and taught to “live like a bird.” These baby birds are fed crawly things by their Mama, big green grasshoppers and bugs. Yuk! But Stellaluna was so very hungry she just opened her mouth wide and let the Mama drop a delicacy into her mouth. Yes, even if it tasted awful.

Stellaluna learned to be awake all day and sleep all night. Her bat ways were quickly disappearing. Except for one thing. She still liked to sleep hanging by her feet. Her friends the baby birds were curious and tried it too. Mama did not like that at all. So Stellaluna must conform to live like a bird if she is to share this nest and home.

Children will love following Stellaluna as she makes her way and eventually finds herself in the company of many other fruit bats. What will these bats think of Stellaluna who hangs by her thumbs and eats bugs? Exactly who is really hanging “upside down?” Reunited with her own mother who had escaped the owl, Stellaluna can now learn where to find the most delicious fruit that her kind of bat enjoys and truly live like a bat again.

This story through delightful characterizations of bats and birds teaches us to be appreciative of our differences along with the many ways we are alike. The illustrations appearing on the right-hand page in this 10”X10” format are rich and bold. They capture the full attention of a listener while the text is read on the opposite page. My grandson at 3 ½ years old was mesmerized by the illustrations as I read this story to him. Of course, as I finished the story he said, “Read it again, Grammy.” And I did.

The author closes her book with a wonderful section at the back with many interesting facts about bats, their habitats and their habits. You can find this book and several others by Janell Cannon at your local library or bookstore. A timeless book you may want to add to your own library.