Module 6: Pinduli

Cannon, J. (2004). Pinduli. Orlando: Harcourt.

Summary: Pinduli is a young hyena eager to explore the world around her. She leaves her mama’s side under the promise that she will soon return. In her explorations she meets several animals who are critical of her appearance. Pinduli does all she can to change the way she looks and ends up creating an adventure of her own.

Response: I really enjoyed reading and rereading this book because of its wonderful illustrations. Each page is so well crafted to show each interaction that Pinduli has though interesting angles and perspectives. I really enjoyed the smaller pen illustrations underneath the text depicting Pinduli’s mother being worried and going out to look for her. It is another side of the story that gets told without words.

Reviews:

Cannon, Janell. Pinduli. Sept. 2004. 48p. illus. Harcourt.

Gr. 1-3. Cannon, best known as the author/ illustrator of Stellaluna (1993), here introduces Pinduli, a little hyena who lives in East Africa. One afternoon, Pinduli encounters a pack of wild dogs that make fun of her ears, a bald lion that calls her fur a "prickly fringe," and a zebra that criticizes the haziness of her stripes After transforming her "flaws" as best she can, Pinduli inadvertently tricks these animals into thinking that she is the "Great Spirit." They confess their misdeeds and agree to make amends Children will find Pinduli's hurt feelings understandable and her quick thinking admirable. The artwork, executed in colored pencils and acrylics, uses a restrained palette in the large pictures depicting the main story on the right-hand pages. On the left, below the text, a series of small ink drawings create a visual counterpoint by showing what Pinduli's mother is doing while events unfold. A four-page end-note discusses the various species of hyenas and their characteristics. Though a bit purposeful, the story may give teachers and parents a starting point for discussing insults.--Carolyn Phelan

Phelan, C. (2004, September 1). Cannon, Janell. Pinduli. Booklist, 101(1), 129+.

Program: Have a display of different animals with different attributes listed and a pro’s and con’s list underneath each animal. Children and parents visiting the display area may participate in adding words underneath each category to think about why certain animals are the way they are, what makes them unique or gives them certain abilities for survival. Encourage all those who participate to check out the book and how the animals are made to feel about their particular traits.