Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon

Book Genre: Fiction

Publisher Information: Harcourt Brace and Company, 1957 (44 pages)

Summary: Stellaluna is a baby bat that falls from her mother's breast during an attack from an owl. She lands in nest of baby birds and becomes the newest addition to the family. She did not like insects for dinner, or sleeping at night and being awake all day, and not sleeping upside down was especially hard for her. One day she even convinced her bird brothers and sisters to try sleeping upside down, to their mother's dismay. When it was time to learn how to fly to leave the nest, flying came very naturally for Stellaluna, but landing on a branch was another problem. She was embarrassed that she could not be just like the rest of her family, and flew far away. She rested in a tree, hanging by her fingers and fell asleep. Awakened by another bat, Stellaluna was quickly corrected that the reason she could not do things like a bird is because she is a bat! She was reunited with her mother, ate juicy mangoes insect of worms, could fly and see at night, and suddenly Stellaluna had found her place in the world.

Personal Rating: (**** Great) This is one of those books you will keep forever. The theme is universal in that we all try to fit in even when we aren't sure who we really are, but as we grow into ourselves, we discover that we are unique in many ways and that we have our own special place in this world. This is a good book for those children who feel insecure about themselves. The illustrations are so good in this book, you will find youseld actually liking bats. Also, it would be a great read aloud on a dark night!

Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: ages 4-10

Possible integration of text into units of study:

Science: There a notes about the 800 varieties of bats in the back of this book. Bats would be a great study subject during Halloween. They are usually hated by many and represent evil, but bats are crucial in the balance of our eco-system.

Reading: Students will find books related to bats for a reading list.

Field trip to the local Museum for an exhibit on bats near Halloween.

Writing: Writing prompt after bat study: Bats are important to us because they....

Art: Students will construct a bat using glue, black and brown tissue paper, hangers, plastic eyes and pipe cleaners. These will be tied with string and suspended from the ceiling during Halloween.

Possible problems or difficulties: None that I am able to forsee.