

Influences, Interests and Interesting Tidbits: Janell Cannon has for many years worked in the public library system, designing and developing award-winning summer reading programs for children. These programs emphasize information about and involvement with animals, especially those not popularly thought of as cute and cuddly, in an effort to dispel erroneous myths. This same love and respect for all creatures inspired her to choose bats as the subject of her first children's book, Stellaluna
"I wanted to write a story about how easy it is to become a bully if one is bullied- and how bullies eventually end up alienated from others. But most important is the idea that, with effort, it's possible to change one's path and find creative, constructive ways to deal with life's injustices."
