Pandora
on Goodreads (961)
What’s inside...
Pandora lives alone in a world of broken things. She makes herself a handsome home from all that people had left behind, but no one ever comes to visit. Then one day something falls from the sky... a bird with a broken wing. As Pandora nurses the bird back to health it begins to fly away each day, bringing a seed or small plant back with him. Then one day, the bird doesn't come back. Pandora is heartbroken. However, day by day, things begin to grow. This is a stunning fable of hope and regeneration from critically acclaimed artist Victoria Turnbull.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Pandora keep fixing things that were broken?
How did you feel when Pandora found the bird with the broken wing?
What does this story teach us about friendship and taking care of others?
Why is it important to have hope, just like Pandora did?
How do you think the story would change if Pandora stopped caring for things around her?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of Pandora and her newfound friend, which can help your child understand the feelings of the characters.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at several points in the story, enhancing their engagement and anticipation.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a scene from the book, focusing on how Pandora cared for her environment. Discuss why caring for our surroundings is important.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life situations by discussing times when your child helped someone or cared for something and how it made them feel.
Encourage empathy by asking how your child would feel if they were in Pandora’s place, fostering a deeper connection to the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of curiosity and exploration
Explanation: In 'Pandora', the protagonist demonstrates an innate curiosity about her surroundings, exploring and discovering new aspects of her world, inspiring a sense of wonder.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore their environments, ask questions, and learn from their experiences, fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of loneliness
Explanation: Pandora, living alone in a world of broken things, showcases resilience by finding joy and purpose despite feelings of solitude.
Real-World Application: This story helps children understand that they can find inner strength and happiness, even when they feel alone, teaching them to cope with similar feelings in their own lives.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness and friendship
Explanation: When Pandora befriends a wounded bird, their relationship highlights the transformative impact of kindness, companionship, and mutual care.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being kind to others, which in turn can lead to friendships and positive interactions in their social environments.
Example Lesson: Healing through helping others
Explanation: The act of caring for the injured bird brings new life and color into Pandora's world, symbolizing how helping others can also heal our own wounds.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to engage in acts of kindness and altruism, understanding how their positive actions towards others can also improve their own emotional well-being.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: Pandora uses her creativity to repair broken things around her, demonstrating how creativity can lead to innovation and change.
Real-World Application: It inspires children to use their imagination to solve problems and make positive changes in their world, be it through arts, crafts, or new solutions to everyday challenges.