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Pinduli
Pinduli's mama has always told her that she's the most beautiful hyena ever. But Dog, Lion, and Zebra don't think so. Why else would they make her feel so rotten about her big ears, her fuzzy mane, and her wiggly stripes? Poor Pinduli just wants to disappear--and she tries everything she can think of to make that happen. Yet nothing goes her way. Nothing, that is, until a case of mistaken identity lets her show the creatures of the African savanna how a few tiny words--bad or good--can create something enormous.
Janell Cannon, the creator of the bestselling Stellaluna, introduces yet another endearing character in this triumphant story about self-image, self-acceptance, and treating others with respect.
Includes notes about hyenas and other animals of the African savanna.
Janell Cannon, the creator of the bestselling Stellaluna, introduces yet another endearing character in this triumphant story about self-image, self-acceptance, and treating others with respect.
Includes notes about hyenas and other animals of the African savanna.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
8 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
April 26, 2010
I absolutely love the illustrations! They are such sweet and adorable, yet also accurate, portrayals of African animals--and not just the typical lions and zebra but some more obscure like the serval which happens to be one of my favorite African cats! And I have to give kudos to a book that made me coo over the cuteness of hyenas (which, I am sorry to say, kind of creep me out in real life) The underlying story is one about not teasing someone based on looks (and also that those who do tease are likely doing so out of their own place of hurt from when someone did the same to them). While I'm not entirely sure I found little hyenas solution to the problem completely satisfactory, parents who disagree with her bending of the truth can use it as a springboard for discussion. A nice author's note in the back provides more information about the various creatures included in the book--even into the different species of hyena (I was really only familiar with the spotted "laughing" hyena so this was eye-opening for me).
April 27, 2010
These illustrations are simply stunning! Beautiful, cute, just the right amount of realism and characterization - for me the illustrations won the day!
I also thoroughly appreciated (and enjoyed) Cannon's use of animals we aren't typically introduced to in stories. In addition to a lion, zebra and owl, we meet wild dogs, an ocelot, and a fennec fox (to name a few)! And the hyena was so adorable that even my sister (who doesn't like hyenas...) fell in love!
I loved the information in the back of the book about the different animals and why they have the physical characteristics that they do! Very informative and well written.
The story, however, was sadly lackluster. The story centers around a series of insults the young hyena receives about her looks, and we find that those insults were a result of the insulter having received an insult from someone else, and so on. This had the opportunity to show how important it is to NOT pay it forward when the "IT" is something negative (but the story didn't really come to that conclusion). The story also had the opportunity to show how important our individual appearances are, but again, it didn't really reach that conclusion. It was something I felt the author was trying to go for, but never achieved. In all it felt like an opportunity to get a variety of unique animals together on a few pages, and a way to introduce children to lesser-known creatures (which is totally great! but I would have liked there to be a better story to accompany such a goal). (plus, I was a little disheartened to see the young hyena lie and never 'fess-up' except to the mother who ended up praising her because of her 'cleverness'...)
I know I'm being very picky here. But I really would recommend this book for the illustrations and information and hopefully it would prompt some good discussions. :)
I also thoroughly appreciated (and enjoyed) Cannon's use of animals we aren't typically introduced to in stories. In addition to a lion, zebra and owl, we meet wild dogs, an ocelot, and a fennec fox (to name a few)! And the hyena was so adorable that even my sister (who doesn't like hyenas...) fell in love!
I loved the information in the back of the book about the different animals and why they have the physical characteristics that they do! Very informative and well written.
The story, however, was sadly lackluster. The story centers around a series of insults the young hyena receives about her looks, and we find that those insults were a result of the insulter having received an insult from someone else, and so on. This had the opportunity to show how important it is to NOT pay it forward when the "IT" is something negative (but the story didn't really come to that conclusion). The story also had the opportunity to show how important our individual appearances are, but again, it didn't really reach that conclusion. It was something I felt the author was trying to go for, but never achieved. In all it felt like an opportunity to get a variety of unique animals together on a few pages, and a way to introduce children to lesser-known creatures (which is totally great! but I would have liked there to be a better story to accompany such a goal). (plus, I was a little disheartened to see the young hyena lie and never 'fess-up' except to the mother who ended up praising her because of her 'cleverness'...)
I know I'm being very picky here. But I really would recommend this book for the illustrations and information and hopefully it would prompt some good discussions. :)
October 10, 2021
A cute quick read about a hyena who gets made fun of and what happens because of that. It has a good lesson about how bullying circles around, and the illustrations are very vibrant and cute.
April 9, 2019
So cute! I love the pictures and this is a good lesson for tiny humans: bullying only leads to more bullying.
August 31, 2008
The illustrations in this book are fabulous. In fact that's one of my complaints - the hyenas are way too cute! This has a nice moral and was fun to read.
There is some scientific information at the back so you could use it for early science as well.
A very lovely book.
There is some scientific information at the back so you could use it for early science as well.
A very lovely book.
January 28, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! It details the story of a hyena named Pinduli, that leaves her mother to go on an adventure of finding self-love and self-worth all while embracing her flaws. Cannon leaves the reader with no choice but to have to read this book at least once after the first time because of the detail. The story is told with a regular-styled font accompanied by a picture for each "set" of pages. However, that is just one side of the story. Pinduli's mother, however, is not left for the reader to forget about. Cannon makes a reference to what the mother is doing or going through at the same time as Pinduli. So while we have two characters that are separated, Cannon allows us to see both of their journeys at the same time. Cannon also exhibits anthropomorphism by capturing human emotion in the faces of wild animals and by making them talk. This is what I think gives that imagination feel that kids look for in their books sometimes. The message of course was also good. It gave the same one as Rainbow Fish wrote and illustrated by Marcus Pfister, the main character just didnt truly change herself or her flaws. I also love how when you expand the book, the cover and back page show a beautiful scene involving all the characters as well.
August 22, 2017
If you don't end this book with your heart breaking for a young hyena, your soul must be a black hole. By making the "bullied child" character into a hyena, the animal that was the bad guy in The Lion King, Cannon creates just enough distance from the reader to the protagonist. In a more objective sense, kids are able to recognize situations where other children are mean to each other in Pinduli's trip around the savanna.
May 27, 2017
Pinduli, the littlest Hyena learns a powerful lesson about #friendship #social #intelligence and resolves uses #quick and #clever thinking. #YoungReaders #PictureBook #BookReview #ChildrensBooks #amreading
December 28, 2020
Illustrations: 5
Story: 3.5
I didn’t realize East African wildlife was so petty! A sweet and whimsical lesson to not judge folks based on appearance and how pay it forward can happen with insults too if you’re not mindful.
Story: 3.5
I didn’t realize East African wildlife was so petty! A sweet and whimsical lesson to not judge folks based on appearance and how pay it forward can happen with insults too if you’re not mindful.
May 20, 2019
It's good it teaches a lesson
June 6, 2025
Nice story about bats with information coming right after the book.
October 8, 2008
A glorious tale with a hidden agenda of dealing with the issue of hurt feelings.
By the creator of Stellaluna, another favorite of mine, Pinduli offers up again a sensitive and sympathetic protagonist. The East African setting and charming yet realistic illustrations give open the world up to young children and introduce them to another continent, yet the experiences Pinduli has are all familiar ones. As Pinduli encounters other animals, they poke fun of her appearance, but all is made well when Pinduli is able to outsmart them. This is followed by the other animals pointing out their own insecurities about their appearance. This is an excellent topic for introducing the topic and for helping children deal with this issue. The ones poking fun aren't made to be bad guys and the reader even winds up sympathetic towards them at the end. Pinduli's relationship with her mother is also heartwarming. The inclusion of an informative bit at the end about hyenas also adds to the educational value of this book. This is an educational tale that doesn't feel like one because of the clever, fast paced tale. ~Leslie
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3–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.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
I agree. This book takes it to the next level and not only is the protaganist helped by her transition, but the whole community is. It is an "appealing and worthwhile purchase."
From Booklist
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 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. Carolyn Phelan
I didn't see the book as too purposeful, and in fact, thought it did a great job of hiding the purpose. I do agree that this book is a great starting point for conversations.
By the creator of Stellaluna, another favorite of mine, Pinduli offers up again a sensitive and sympathetic protagonist. The East African setting and charming yet realistic illustrations give open the world up to young children and introduce them to another continent, yet the experiences Pinduli has are all familiar ones. As Pinduli encounters other animals, they poke fun of her appearance, but all is made well when Pinduli is able to outsmart them. This is followed by the other animals pointing out their own insecurities about their appearance. This is an excellent topic for introducing the topic and for helping children deal with this issue. The ones poking fun aren't made to be bad guys and the reader even winds up sympathetic towards them at the end. Pinduli's relationship with her mother is also heartwarming. The inclusion of an informative bit at the end about hyenas also adds to the educational value of this book. This is an educational tale that doesn't feel like one because of the clever, fast paced tale. ~Leslie
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3–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.–Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
I agree. This book takes it to the next level and not only is the protaganist helped by her transition, but the whole community is. It is an "appealing and worthwhile purchase."
From Booklist
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 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. Carolyn Phelan
I didn't see the book as too purposeful, and in fact, thought it did a great job of hiding the purpose. I do agree that this book is a great starting point for conversations.
September 6, 2018
Summary:
A hyena named Pinduli was on a journey to go hunting. Along the way she encountered animals. These animals were not nice to Pinduli. For example, the wild dogs made fun of her ears, the lion made fun of her mane, and the zebras gave her mean looks and made fun of her coat. Pinduli was so upset that she put her ears down, went in the water to make her mane flat, and rolled in dust to make her stripes go away. All of the animals were surprised when they saw Pinduli because they thought she was a ghost who they called “Great Spirit”. When Pinduli realized the animals thought she was a ghost she used it to her advantage and made the animals confess to their, “...hideous, awful, atrocious crime.” In the end her ghost disguise worked, because the animals brought food to her, since they were told to do so by the “Great Spirit” Pinduli.
Evaluation:
I liked this book a lot. I found it very entertaining and interesting. I think this would be an enjoyable book for students to read because although it starts off sad it becomes funny and has a happy ending.
Teaching idea:
After reading this book, it may be a good idea to have the students do a research activity about some of the animals in Africa. They could create a powerpoint or a poster, where they discussed what they learned. The teacher could divide the students into small groups and assign each group an animal. This would help students learn more about another country and some of the animals that live there. This would also be engaging for the students because many of them like animals.
A hyena named Pinduli was on a journey to go hunting. Along the way she encountered animals. These animals were not nice to Pinduli. For example, the wild dogs made fun of her ears, the lion made fun of her mane, and the zebras gave her mean looks and made fun of her coat. Pinduli was so upset that she put her ears down, went in the water to make her mane flat, and rolled in dust to make her stripes go away. All of the animals were surprised when they saw Pinduli because they thought she was a ghost who they called “Great Spirit”. When Pinduli realized the animals thought she was a ghost she used it to her advantage and made the animals confess to their, “...hideous, awful, atrocious crime.” In the end her ghost disguise worked, because the animals brought food to her, since they were told to do so by the “Great Spirit” Pinduli.
Evaluation:
I liked this book a lot. I found it very entertaining and interesting. I think this would be an enjoyable book for students to read because although it starts off sad it becomes funny and has a happy ending.
Teaching idea:
After reading this book, it may be a good idea to have the students do a research activity about some of the animals in Africa. They could create a powerpoint or a poster, where they discussed what they learned. The teacher could divide the students into small groups and assign each group an animal. This would help students learn more about another country and some of the animals that live there. This would also be engaging for the students because many of them like animals.
June 24, 2017
3.8/ 5 I definitely prefer Stellaluna, but this book still has gorgeous illustrations and an interesting message of it's own. Just like the book "Have you Filled a Bucket today?" states, if you fill someone else's bucket they will have the urge to fill others, but take from their bucket and they will feel like taking. Pinduli lets other animals' comments get the best of her (though thankfully she doesn't then make fun of others) but she later finds out that it all started with one animal having a bad day and then they all start making fun of each other one after another as a result...dominoes of negativity! Thankfully clever Pindulli solves the problem and the animals learn the importance of communication and forgiveness.
December 6, 2017
A wonderful story of teasing, bullying, kindness, uniqueness, and personal motivations - really there are a ton of lessons to discuss after reading this book, and yet it didn't feel preachy. More like a fable or folk tale. Plus there are several pages of notes in the back about the African animals featured in the story. Even I learned something there - had no idea there were actually 4 species of hyena!
The illustrations are detailed and adorable. I still love Stellaluna more (have a personal fondness for bats) but Pinduli is really cute, especially for an animal not typically associated with that particular adjective. I loved the little black and white illustrations on each page too. Some were very silly :)
The illustrations are detailed and adorable. I still love Stellaluna more (have a personal fondness for bats) but Pinduli is really cute, especially for an animal not typically associated with that particular adjective. I loved the little black and white illustrations on each page too. Some were very silly :)
May 9, 2014
Pinduli is a very insecure creature who lets other animals' opinions of him guide his decisions. He continues to alter his appearance to hide what the others tease him about. Eventually he alters himself so much that he is virtually unrecognizable. The resulting antics uncover a long line of animals being unkind to each other. Kids (ages 3-5) love Pinduli for its illustrations and its story. The realization that what you say to others matters is a valuable lesson. The rich vocabulary and narrative skills in this book make is a nice addition to any library.
January 13, 2024
A wonderful children's book about a nocturnal animal not many people have even heard of, and even fewer know anything about. A lovely story about an aardwolf, a lesser-known nocturnal animal. Would recommend for children in the 6-8 age group. The illustrations in the story are lovely and the story has a moral which is nice.
February 14, 2019
Found this at work today and while I'm not usually one to sit and read picture books on the job - it's a really sweet book about a hyena. I kind of had to! Also it's the same author as Stelaluna - and who doesn't love that?
August 11, 2016
The artwork is simply gorgeous and is a joy to look at.
January 3, 2016
I love the art in this book. It's the same with Stellaluna both have breathtaking images. Pinduli is an awesome book to read for kids who like animals.
January 20, 2021
I adore all of Janell Cannon's books! This is a very sweet story about self-image. The illustrations are fantastic!
October 9, 2017
The book follows Pinduli, a young hyena, on a journey through the desert. Pinduli has always been told by her mother that she is the most beautiful hyena in all of Africa, but when she meets other animals, they make fun of the way she looks. Because of the mean things the other animals say to her, she decides to cover herself in white dirt. When the other animals see her this way they think she is a ghost and ask what they can do to right their wrongs. Pinduli says that they must apologize to all they have hurt. The other animals do so and they all feel better afterward.
Bullying, friendship, and family are major themes in this book.
I picked up this book because it is by the same author as one of my favorite books, Stellaluna, and boy did this author not disappoint. I loved the storyline of this book and how the author was able to address so many issues that children find today. The illustrations of the different animals were so beautiful I wanted to reach inside the pages and pet them!
This book would be a great read for children of many different ages. The message of friendship and bullying is very relevant to many kids. The book also introduces animals that some children might have never heard of and so the author included a glossary that goes more into detail on each one. This provides an additional learning opportunity other than the sheer story of the book.
Bullying, friendship, and family are major themes in this book.
I picked up this book because it is by the same author as one of my favorite books, Stellaluna, and boy did this author not disappoint. I loved the storyline of this book and how the author was able to address so many issues that children find today. The illustrations of the different animals were so beautiful I wanted to reach inside the pages and pet them!
This book would be a great read for children of many different ages. The message of friendship and bullying is very relevant to many kids. The book also introduces animals that some children might have never heard of and so the author included a glossary that goes more into detail on each one. This provides an additional learning opportunity other than the sheer story of the book.
November 27, 2017
Awards: n/a
Appropriate grade level(s): 1st-3rd
Summary: Pinduli is a young hyena who gets mocked by other animals for her natural hyena looks. After trying to change her looks, Pinduli runs into the animals who mocked her and they think she is ghost. Using this to her advantage, Pinduli tells the other animals to make amends with the animals who mocked them and to never make mean comments again. At the end of the day, Pinduli helps the other animals realize the importance not saying mean words to others, and helps get herself and her mother a free meal as well.
Review: This was one of my favorite books growing up as a kid. I love the message this books gives children- it is never ok to say mean words to others because it can really hurt them and only spread more hateful words. I also love how colorful and detailed this book is. That was one of the things that drew me in most to this book.
In-class uses:
-How to resolve issues with others
-Kindess unit
-Understanding unit
Appropriate grade level(s): 1st-3rd
Summary: Pinduli is a young hyena who gets mocked by other animals for her natural hyena looks. After trying to change her looks, Pinduli runs into the animals who mocked her and they think she is ghost. Using this to her advantage, Pinduli tells the other animals to make amends with the animals who mocked them and to never make mean comments again. At the end of the day, Pinduli helps the other animals realize the importance not saying mean words to others, and helps get herself and her mother a free meal as well.
Review: This was one of my favorite books growing up as a kid. I love the message this books gives children- it is never ok to say mean words to others because it can really hurt them and only spread more hateful words. I also love how colorful and detailed this book is. That was one of the things that drew me in most to this book.
In-class uses:
-How to resolve issues with others
-Kindess unit
-Understanding unit
September 21, 2018
Summary:
This is a story about a young hyena who has issues with her self-esteem. She goes outside for a walk/to play and multiple other animals tell her that her fur is matted and her spots look funny. Every time another animal tells her they don't like the way something about her is, she tries to change it. By the end of the book, she looks like a ghost - pale and unrecognizable. She accidentally scares the other animals that were being mean, and winds up figuring out that the reason they were being so mean was because they felt bad about themselves too.
Evaluation:
This was a great book for students to earn the effects of their words on others. I loved the cute little shorts all throughout that showed her slowly becoming so unlike herself. I thought the overall message of the story was phenomenal, and it could easily open up to personal connections and classroom discussions.
Teaching Application:
I would use this book as a social tool for building a constructive classroom community. I would use it academically as a sequencing subject, or some sort of summarizing activity. I could also have them break up into small groups and describe the story from each character's perspective, then come back together as a whole class and talk about it in a large group discussion.
This is a story about a young hyena who has issues with her self-esteem. She goes outside for a walk/to play and multiple other animals tell her that her fur is matted and her spots look funny. Every time another animal tells her they don't like the way something about her is, she tries to change it. By the end of the book, she looks like a ghost - pale and unrecognizable. She accidentally scares the other animals that were being mean, and winds up figuring out that the reason they were being so mean was because they felt bad about themselves too.
Evaluation:
This was a great book for students to earn the effects of their words on others. I loved the cute little shorts all throughout that showed her slowly becoming so unlike herself. I thought the overall message of the story was phenomenal, and it could easily open up to personal connections and classroom discussions.
Teaching Application:
I would use this book as a social tool for building a constructive classroom community. I would use it academically as a sequencing subject, or some sort of summarizing activity. I could also have them break up into small groups and describe the story from each character's perspective, then come back together as a whole class and talk about it in a large group discussion.
October 8, 2018
Pinduli is a curious young hyena. She explores and runs into other animals who make fun of different traits Pinduli has. So she tries to change to be more acceptable. Eventually, she changes so much she looks like a ghost a scares all the animals that make fun of her. She goes along with being a ghost and asks why they were mean. The animals explain someone was mean to them, but they won't do it again. Two major themes in this book are bullying and differences. I give this book a 4-star rating because I think this book has an excellent message about not making fun of others and the way they look. It makes the reader think about how words make someone feel. I can connect personally to this book by falling into changing maybe what I wear or what I like because of what people say. I recommend this book because the illustrations in this book are great and full of realistic details. The illustrations help further the storyline and bring to life what attributes Pinduli is trying to change. I also love the message of this book about being kind to others.
November 13, 2019
"Pinduli" is about an hyena who faces criticisms about how she looks from other animals that live nearby. With each criticism, Pinduli tries to take action to counteract it but ends up getting further critiqued. At one point, Pinduli covers herself in dirt and is mistaken to be a ghost. Pinduli discovers that the animals that bullied her were bullied themselves and requests that the other animals find out why they were bullied. It turns out each animal who bullied another had a bad day and took it out on another animal.
Grade: 3rd
Genre: Fiction
This definitely can be used for studying theme and as well sequencing of events. It is very evident that bullying is a major topic and can be addressed through themes as treating others how you want to be treated or trying to understand another person's perspective. Students can be encouraged to look at Pinduli's actions that support it. Because there is many events that unfold, this can also be used for sequencing of events and tracking how the bullying leads up to the climax of Pinduli tricking and advising the other animals.
Grade: 3rd
Genre: Fiction
This definitely can be used for studying theme and as well sequencing of events. It is very evident that bullying is a major topic and can be addressed through themes as treating others how you want to be treated or trying to understand another person's perspective. Students can be encouraged to look at Pinduli's actions that support it. Because there is many events that unfold, this can also be used for sequencing of events and tracking how the bullying leads up to the climax of Pinduli tricking and advising the other animals.
November 19, 2019
The only other text I was familiar with By Cannon was Stellaluna which I love and use often. This text is just as great. I like how Cannon takes the hyena (primarily a evil character in Disney terms) and spins the story so the hyena is the one being bullied by the other animals. They animals continue to taunt each other in a cyclical nature and it is isn't until Penduli speaks to them in disguise that they see the error of their ways. Much like Stelluluna, this story is chalk full of awesome tier two vocabulary words. That is how I would use Pinduli with my second grade classroom. I would have definitions and have them sort and match the definitions after a few readings of the story. I think it would also be a great spring board for a quick write. I would ask my students why the animals behaved the way they did at the start of the story. This story is longer and geared towards grade 2-6.
December 9, 2019
Pinduli, a hyena, is out for a walk when Dog makes a mean remark about her ears. Then Lion laughs about her "prickly fringe." Zebra makes a crack about her stripes not being symmetrical. By the time they are all done making comments, Pinduli is so upset about her looks that she has pinned her ears down, flattened her coast and rolled in so much dust that she looks gray. When she passes the animals again, they are all afraid. They think she is some kind of spirit. The animals immediately know what they've done wrong and start to beg forgiveness. It turns out, they were mean to Pinduli because someone else had been mean to them before. Pinduli calls out "In order to appease bad spirits, you must find your tormentors and make peace." As the animals seek out the animals, they find that it cycles back a third time as those animals were insulted by someone else.
Strong message about how we often spread our anger and hurt to others.
Strong message about how we often spread our anger and hurt to others.
February 1, 2020
This children's literature book, like her Stellaluna and Verdi, is right on in showing children that actions/words have repercussions. The young hyena, Pinduli, gets his physical looks insulted by various animals. His self-esteem plummets and he tries to change how he looks. At first the result seems to be a disaster but he does put it to good use. Later, his mother reassures him of her love, no matter how he looks. But, the main theme is that bullies have often been bullied themselves by others and it creates an endless and devastating circle of behavior. Every child and adult should understand this. I am not sure I liked that Penduli uses trickery to fool the other animals but they are responsible for his predicament, so....
February 28, 2023
What a beautifully illustrated book about a young female hyena who ventures away from Mama one afternoon only to be met by a myriad of mean-spirited animals along her travels. The Cape hunting dog makes fun of her ears, a lion tells her that her fur is “prickly fringe,” and the zebras complain about her stripes. They all play a part in damaging Pinduli’s self-esteem, but she does not know why. You’ll have to read this book to find out how Pinduli becomes known as the ghostly Great Spirit and how she changes African animals’ views of others, and, ultimately, their lives. I highly recommend this book to all ages as well as Janell Cannon’s other stunningly illustrated children’s books: Verdi, Stellaluna, Crickwing, Trupp: A Fuzzhead Tale, and the elusive Little Yau: A Fuzzhead Tale.
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