Both Wandi and Pink Rhino: Kids Animal Story, use communicative resources to engage children and support meaning-making, but they do so in different ways suited to their medium.

 

A key similarity is their use of visual imagery. In Wandi, illustrations work alongside the written text to convey emotion and context, such as Wandi’s feelings of fear, the rugged landscape, and the warmth of his rescuers. Similarly, Pink Rhino relies on bright, animated visuals to capture attention and help children interpret the story’s events. In both cases, images help young readers connect emotionally and understand the narrative beyond words alone.

 

However, the differences between the two texts lie in the modes relative to their medium. Wandi uses written language and static illustrations, encouraging readers to imagine sounds, movements, and emotions. Its communicative power relies on descriptive language, pacing, and visual symbolism to evoke empathy and reflection. In contrast, Pink Rhino integrates sound, movement, and interactivity. Animal noises, background music, and on-screen actions allow children to engage multiple senses simultaneously, turning reading into an immersive experience. The interactive elements, such as tapping to make the rhino move, transform the learner from a passive observer to an active participant, reinforcing understanding through play and exploration.

 

Ultimately, both texts share the goal of teaching empathy and connection to animals but differ in how they achieve it. Wandi invites deep emotional reflection through traditional literacy practices, while Pink Rhino promotes engagement through digital multimodality. Together, they demonstrate how diverse communicative resources, whether print-based or digital, can enrich literacy learning and broaden children’s textual repertoires.