Module 6: Picture books

This picture book tells the story of a young hyena named Pinduli who is teased about her appearance by other East African savanna dwellers. As Pinduli makes her way across the desert, she encounters different animals and as each teases some aspect of her appearance, she tries her best to hide it. As Pinduli makes her way back home with her ears flattened and coat dusted in pale sand, the animals who previously made fun of her become terrified. At first Pinduli doesn't understand and then she realizes that the other animals think she is a spirit. After this realization, she plays a trick on the other animals and convinces them to confront the animals that teased them. By the end of the story, the animals have made peace with one another and Pinduli and her mother no longer have to scavenge for food.

Cannon, J. (2004). Pinduli. New York: Harcourt Inc.

Picture credit: http://questgarden.com/28/51/3/061104082445/

Impressions:

I fell in love with this book right away. The story is incredibly sweet and clever and the art is really entrancing. Even though Pinduli is a hyena, she has the same feelings and insecurities that a normal child would have. She is concerned with her appearance, especially after other animals tease her. What really added the human aspect to Pinduli, however, was the line about her mother always telling her she was the most beautiful hyena (something most mothers would tell their little girls). In addition, the art really captured the emotion and spirit of the story. Pinduli's expression of dismay is perfectly drawn on her sweet hyena face and the disappointment she feels is practically tangible. I really enjoyed the way she tricks the other animals but instead of being malicious, she finds a way to make the animals stop being mean to one another.

Reviews:

"After sleeping through the hot East African afternoon, it is time for Mama Hyena and her child to go hunting. Pinduli promises to stay close by, but then trots off. She comes across a pack of wild dogs, a lion, and a zebra, and all tease her about her looks. She rolls in the dirt until her striped coat is a pallid gray and her ears are pinned back. The animals think that she is a "ghost" that has come for them. All of the creatures then confess that they teased the young hyena because another animal had made fun of them. The "ghost" understands and advises them to "find your tormentors and make peace-. And always leave a bit of every meal as an offering." By story's end, the animals have reconciled, and with all the food offerings left, Pinduli and her mother never have to scrounge around looking for meals. The animals' expressions and antics are hilarious and endearing; Cannon has pulled off quite a feat in creating a cuddly hyena protagonist. This touching book about personal growth and self-acceptance gently demonstrates how the actions of one can have far-reaching effects on many others. An appealing and worthwhile purchase”—Oluonye, M.N. (2010). No title. [Review of the book Pinduli by J.Cannon]. Library Journals. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print

“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 endnote 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.” –Phelan, C. (2004). No title. [Review of the book Pinduli by J. Cannon]. Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker’s Books in Print.

Suggestions:

This book would be a really terrific story time book and would also work really well for a number of short lessons. Librarians can use this story as a jumping off point for younger children and older children about insecurities and peer pressure. In addition, this story also has a little bit of a African folk-story feel to it so other books about African folk-tales would work well in a unit. At the back of the book, Cannon also includes a small summary of each of the African animals she includes in the story. Librarians can use this book as an introduction to African wildlife and will also fit in with a display of other African wildlife.