CNC Partners With Center For Puppetry Arts On Bat Program

ROSWELL, GA — The Chattahoochee Nature Center and the Center for Puppetry Arts have partnered to present an exciting bat program to the Atlanta public.

Chattahoochee Nature Center has provided its “Bats Incredible” program to the Center for Puppetry Arts to enhance educational opportunities around the world-premiere puppet show adaptation of the book, "Stellaluna," by Janell Cannon. “Bats Incredible” is a traveling classroom filled with activities, information, and biofacts about the endangered Gray Bat. It has been used as springboard for an interactive learning activity in the Center for Puppetry Arts’ instructor-led Stellaluna Create-A-Puppet Workshops inspiring students and teachers to be more aware of statewide habitat issues and opportunities for critical thinking relative to past, present, and future environmental actions, and connecting one of Georgia’s bats with the fruit bats in Stellaluna’s Africa.

“Kids can learn about bats and reduce some of the myths around bats,” said Emma Schell, Education Outreach Coordinator for Chattahoochee Nature Center. “Bats are an important part of our environment but get such a bad reputation. The more we can educate people about bats, the healthier our ecosystem will be.”

The Chattahoochee Nature Center was approached by the Center for Puppetry Arts to coordinate on the program with the new show, “Stellaluna,” adding further education and activity to the event.

"Stellaluna," the beloved book by Janell Cannon, is about a young fruit bat who finds herself dropped in a bird’s nest. This world premiere adaptation celebrates the self-discoveries and unlikely friendships that result. After falling unexpectedly into the middle of a bird family’s home, Stellaluna is graciously accepted as one of them—as long as she acts like a bird and doesn’t confuse her adoptive siblings – Flip, Flitter, and Flap. Stellaluna tries to adapt but finds herself doing all the wrong things. Lauded by the National Education Association as a “Teacher’s Top 100 Books for Children,” "Stellaluna" explores how we can be so different yet feel so much the same.

“We’re happy to offer our fantastic traveling bat trunk program to the Center for Puppetry Arts as a part of their programming with the Stellaluna performance,” said DeAnn Fordham, Senior Director of Development and Marketing for Chattahoochee Nature Center. “It’s a great example of two premier Atlanta educational institutions working together to educate in a fun and compelling way.”

“Stellaluna” runs through March 8 at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Click here for more info.