Stelaluna
on Goodreads (119,528)
What’s inside...
Stellaluna is a children's book by Janell Cannon about a young fruit bat who becomes separated from her mother and is adopted by a family of birds. Despite her many differences, Stellaluna tries to fit in with her bird siblings by eating insects and sleeping at night. However, she still feels out of place. Eventually, Stellaluna is reunited with her bat family and learns to embrace her identity, realizing that it's okay to be different. The story teaches important lessons about acceptance, friendship, and the beauty of being oneself.
Age
4-9
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Stellaluna
Pip
Flitter
Flap
Mother Bird
Discussion points
How do you think Stellaluna felt when she was separated from her mother? Can you relate to her feelings?
What did Stellaluna learn from her experiences with the birds? How did her perspective change?
Why is it important to appreciate and respect differences in others, like Stellaluna did with her bird friends?
How did friendship play a role in Stellaluna's story? What can we learn from her friendships?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters’ emotions and experiences, to enhance emotional intelligence.
Discuss the importance of empathy by asking your child how they would feel in Stellaluna’s situation.
Highlight the value of diversity by discussing how Stellaluna and the birds learned from each other despite their differences.
Use the story as a springboard to talk about times when your child felt different or made a new friend who was different from them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: Stellaluna, a fruit bat, accidentally becomes separated from her mother and is raised by a family of birds. Despite their differences, Stellaluna tries to fit in with the bird family, teaching children about embracing and respecting others’ differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect peers who may come from different cultural or familial backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Identity and Self-Discovery
Explanation: Throughout the story, Stellaluna discovers her unique abilities as a bat, like hanging upside down and flying at night, even after trying to adapt to bird behaviors. This highlights the importance of self-discovery and staying true to oneself.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore and embrace their own unique qualities and talents, fostering a sense of self-worth and confidence in their personal identity.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family
Explanation: Stellaluna is eventually reunited with her bat family, which emphasizes the theme of family bonds and the joy of reuniting with loved ones.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of family connections and the emotional support that comes from being with family members, whether they are biological or chosen.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: Stellaluna adapts to the ways of the birds while she is with them, but also retains her bat characteristics, showing that she can adjust to different environments while still preserving her own traits.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the skill of adaptability in different situations in life while maintaining their own identity and values.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Through the interactions between Stellaluna and the bird siblings, and their acceptance of her despite the initial shock of their differences, the story promotes understanding and empathy towards others.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop empathy by understanding different perspectives and being supportive in their daily interactions with friends and classmates.