Stellaluna: questions to ask and activities to try
A baby fruit bat lands in a bird's nest and tries her best to live like a bird. A gentle book about being different and friendship across differences.
What age is Stellaluna for?
Stellaluna is best for ages 4–8.
Stellaluna (Janell Cannon)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Being different, fitting in, and friendship across differences
Only 50pStellaluna activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Talk about the things Stellaluna had to change to fit in, and how it felt. At the end, ask how the bat and the birds can still be friends.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–8 (Reception to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- A baby fruit bat lands in a bird's nest and tries her best to live like a bird. A gentle book about being different and friendship across differences.
- Helps with
- Being different, fitting in, and friendship across differences
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Being different
- Trying to fit in
- Friends who aren't like you
- Learning about bats
Comprehension and discussion questions for Stellaluna
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “How did Stellaluna end up with the birds?”
- “What did she have to do to fit in?”
- “How did she feel trying to be a bird?”
- “What happened when she found her mother?”
- “How were the bats and birds alike and different?”
- “Can friends be different from each other?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for Stellaluna
All 6 questions for Stellaluna on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Alike and different
Draw a bat and a bird. List how they’re the same and how they’re different.
Upside-down world
Lie on the sofa with your head hanging down. What does the room look like to a bat?
Stellaluna activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to Stellaluna, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about being different.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–8 (Reception to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Talk about the things Stellaluna had to change to fit in, and how it felt. At the end, ask how the bat and the birds can still be friends.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “How did Stellaluna end up with the birds?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Alike and different. Draw a bat and a bird. List how they’re the same and how they’re different. Children who finish early can try Upside-down world.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The Stellaluna activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
A Friend for Henry (Jenn Bailey)
- Best for
- Autism, friendship and sensory/social differences
- Age
- 4-8
The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon (Mini Grey)
- Best for
- What happened after the Dish ran away with the Spoon
- Age
- 4-8
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? (Carol McCloud and David Messing)
- Best for
- Kindness, and understanding how our words make others feel
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.