Lots & Lots of Animal Stories for Kids! Vol. 5: Donkeys

In this latest entry in the Lots & Lots of Animal Stories for Kids! series, a group of children learn about the history of donkeys and their close cousin, the mule. In a classroom filled with primary colors, Miss Danni Donkey—who wears a bright red dress and has donkey ears and a tail—tells her young charges how much she enjoys reading, as she dons a pair of large red glasses, and sings a song about how glasses help her read. Miss Danni talks about the roles that donkeys have played from Egyptian times to the late 1800s in America, telling stories that combine simple computer animation, original music, and songs. In the first tale, a donkey named Cleopatra is dragging a large stone meant for use in building a pyramid when a Broadway song helps her escape in her mind to Park Avenue. In Athens, a donkey is squishing grapes to make wine when a lively tune encourages faster and faster stomping. Miss Danni also tells the kids that the first mule appeared in America in 1785 as a Spanish gift (literally named "Royal Gift"), and that pack mules were employed during the Gold Rush; less nervous than horses, pack mules also helped pull firetrucks and played a major role in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. A fun educational title, this is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (T. Root)