Walking Is a Way of Knowing: In a Kadar Forest

Gr 3–8—When members from the Kadar tribe, indigenous to the Anamalai Hills in southern India, walk through their forests, they not only observe with their eyes but listen, sniff, and touch as well. Readers accompany elder Madiyappan and Padma, a somewhat younger woman, on forest treks to fetch water, tell stories, and generally conduct the business of life. They and others eagerly share their respect for the natural beauty and bounty of the land. Madiyappan makes discreet cuts with his machete and observes keenly to insure that he can find his way back home—the tribes have different methods to navigate the forest without getting lost. The two tell stories of beehives and honey and share knowledge of the forest's rich diversity, from birds and animals, to spices and food sources. The woodcut illustrations in tones of greens and browns enhance the text, and a glossary features Kadar plant and animal names. Because of the muted colors and relatively sophisticated story structure, this may get most use as a read-aloud or as part of environmental and ecology curricula.