Stellaluna

We have lost track of how we acquired some of our books. Stellaluna, by Janell Cannon, is such a book. But I do know that when it magically appeared in our house, our son was too young for me to know the book’s relevance in our life.

Most babies are pretty much the same, with ours not an exception: chubby, drooly, smiley, happy, and ready for life’s flight. When ours got a little older and became a bat, we did not realize it because coincidentally, we are a bat family. After all, he flew just like anyone else, exceptionally, as a matter of fact. And things were pretty awesome, until it was time for our little bat to join the world of birds (also known as most schools). And that’s when we lost track of what upside down and right side up was. Who’s to say which one is right when it’s a relative term? (Pun totally intended)

Cannon set out to write about bats, in the hopes that through a story (and some fun facts at the end of the book) we would gain affection for this misunderstood creature. Stellaluna is such baby bat, which through a misfortune that happens quickly into the plot, joins a family of birds.

The paint and color pencil illustrations in Stellaluna are absolutely beautiful. They are soft and use a limited muted palette. The style is extremely realistic and full of movement and expression. The fur and feathers throughout make you want to touch the pages and the mangoes shown makes you wish for one. In addition to the main illustrations, there are tiny ink sketches on the inside of the front and back cover, as well as the top of each of the pages that hold the text. Make sure to pay attention to these, as they tell a sub-story of their own until the two plots meet! I won't say what it is but I will say that a parent's love and concern is always present, even when you are not aware. Very clever.

The story is divided into 3 important parts. At first, Stellaluna goes through a period of adaptation, in which she suppresses her bat ways. She has no choice as her chances of survival depend on her incorporation into her new family. She tries happily and succeeds awkwardly. She is proud, but at the end somewhat defeated. An image of her tired little body, hanging by her thumbs in order to remain right side up marks the end of this part.

When her family of bats finds her in this way, the second part begins. She discovers why she is different and learns all the great qualities of being a bat. She no longer feels “wrong”. She is so excited that she wants to share this discovery with her bird family.

In the final part, Stellaluna returns to her adoptive bird family and tries to show them all she has learned about being a bat which she finds so spectacular. The birds are on board, but soon find themselves in the same predicament as Stellaluna did at the beginning of the story. It is now Stellaluna who has to protect them. They all huddle in a warm hug pondering their differences, their similarities, and how irrelevent it seems to their kindness to one another.

Both the baby birds and the baby bat are open to each other’s way of experiencing the world. The book lovingly depicts the awkwardness of both animals when imitating each other, admitting acceptance is no easy task. These are the pages that make our son smile the most. The baby birds hanging upside down from their nests and Stellaluna trying to land right side up on a branch are great illustrations. Children are the most unaware of differences and I believe this premise of young animals experimenting with different behaviors is symbolic of this. They do not allow these traits to get in the way of taking care of one another. The characters' names carry this topic of identity as well. Stellaluna (meaning stars and moon) represents her well because, like all bats, she is nocturnal. Pip, Flitter, and Flap, are her bird friends. We can be true to our identities, and not by way of isolating others.

However, an issue that can’t be ignored despite this ideal is the importance of finding friends and mentors that allow your upside down to be right side up so that you never lose your identity and all that is spectacular about it. Stellaluna is a book all teachers should use, discuss, and take to heart. There are birds and there are bats, and that works out for this world just fine. Just wait until they grow and you will see. In the meantime, be kind and take care of them both.