Review: Stellaluna

When Stellaluna, a baby bat, falls from her mother’s wings mid-flight, her tiny world is turned upside down—literally. Landing in an owl’s nest, her natural enemies become her family and all the rules change.

Food that Stellaluna would normally find disgusting becomes her daily fare and she is constantly in trouble for teaching her stepsiblings bad habits: like sleeping upside down outside the nest. Stellaluna promises to behave and learns to fit in: sort of.

Janell Cannon’s gently humorous illustrations are absolutely scrumptious, the perfect springboard for discussions about differing perspectives. It’s so much easier to talk about when you can see how one owl’s delicacy is a little bat’s worst nightmare and vice versa.

Although written in a more wordy style than is generally published these days, Stellaluna is a timeless and heart-warming tale of the struggle to fit in. Definitely a keeper.

Title: Stellaluna
Author/ Illustrator: Janell Cannon
Publisher: Koala Books, $19.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1995
Format: Softcover
ISBN: 9780152802172
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book