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Little Donkey and the Birthday Present
It's Jackie's birthday and Little Donkey picks out the perfect present for him--a kite with a very long tail. Problem is, Little Donkey decides he'd rather keep it for himself. Children will relate to Little Donkey's dilemma in this tale with a happy twist at the end. Illustrations.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 21, 2019
I didn't like the illustrations at all, but I really liked the story.
September 9, 2024
I so relate to the theme in this book, which is picking out a gift for a friend that is one that you yourself would like, and then resisting the urge to keep it, because you like it so much. An excellent picture book lesson for all of us.
April 14, 2014
Kromhout, R. (2001). Little donkey and the birthday present. Newyork: North-South Books, Inc.
It was Little Donkey's birthday, so Little Donkey and Momma Donkey went to go find his friend a present at the toy store. There were so many different toys to choose from, but he decided on a nice kite. Once they got home, Little Donkey decided that he no longer wanted to give the kite to his friend, but wanted to keep it for himself. So he looked through his toy chest and found an old teddy that he no longer played with anymore. He told his mom that the teddy would be a better present and his mother asked "What about the kite?". Little Donkey tried to tell her that his friend would not like it to that he was just going to keep it for himself, but his mother did not like that idea. She said that the present was bought for his friend Jackie, so it must go to his friend Jackie. Right before it was time to go to the party, Little Donkey thought that maybe if he hid the kite and told his mom that he lost it, that maybe she would let him go to the party with out it. So right when it was time to go he told her he lost it. Unfortunately, he did not hide it very well and his mother found it right away. On their way to the party Little Donkey told her that he did not feel well and that they should stay home. His mother said that they should drop the present and then come right back home then with out any cake, and Little Donkey Loves cake. So he dropped that idea. Then while in his wagon he sees some flowers and thinks that maybe they will make a nice gift. His mother tells him that they are nice but he still has to give Jackie the kite. Then Little Donkey thinks that his friend might not like the kite and might give it back to him. Once it was time for presents, Little Donkey gave his friend Jackie the kite. Jackie was so excited to see it! He then asked Little Donkey to help him fly it. Of course Little Donkey agreed to. They enjoyed it the entire length of the party. Finally it was time to come home, of course Little Donkey did not want to go back his mother told him he had to. During his bath he asked his mother when his birthday was coming up and she replied that it was coming up soon. I liked this story. I rate it a 5/5. I thought it did a good job showing kids that they should be giving. I also liked the water color illustrations.
It was Little Donkey's birthday, so Little Donkey and Momma Donkey went to go find his friend a present at the toy store. There were so many different toys to choose from, but he decided on a nice kite. Once they got home, Little Donkey decided that he no longer wanted to give the kite to his friend, but wanted to keep it for himself. So he looked through his toy chest and found an old teddy that he no longer played with anymore. He told his mom that the teddy would be a better present and his mother asked "What about the kite?". Little Donkey tried to tell her that his friend would not like it to that he was just going to keep it for himself, but his mother did not like that idea. She said that the present was bought for his friend Jackie, so it must go to his friend Jackie. Right before it was time to go to the party, Little Donkey thought that maybe if he hid the kite and told his mom that he lost it, that maybe she would let him go to the party with out it. So right when it was time to go he told her he lost it. Unfortunately, he did not hide it very well and his mother found it right away. On their way to the party Little Donkey told her that he did not feel well and that they should stay home. His mother said that they should drop the present and then come right back home then with out any cake, and Little Donkey Loves cake. So he dropped that idea. Then while in his wagon he sees some flowers and thinks that maybe they will make a nice gift. His mother tells him that they are nice but he still has to give Jackie the kite. Then Little Donkey thinks that his friend might not like the kite and might give it back to him. Once it was time for presents, Little Donkey gave his friend Jackie the kite. Jackie was so excited to see it! He then asked Little Donkey to help him fly it. Of course Little Donkey agreed to. They enjoyed it the entire length of the party. Finally it was time to come home, of course Little Donkey did not want to go back his mother told him he had to. During his bath he asked his mother when his birthday was coming up and she replied that it was coming up soon. I liked this story. I rate it a 5/5. I thought it did a good job showing kids that they should be giving. I also liked the water color illustrations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2016
Illustrations captured my attention. I enjoyed seeing another culture influence the anthropomorphism of the animals. Loved what I assume was a field of red poppies, minimally painted as red splotches. Each character looked unique and expressive. I looked at each spread many times, and really enjoyed the style.
The story (for me) focuses too much on the mom and not the child as central to the action. She makes and enforces the rules and he reluctantly obeys. On the final page we see a kite gift wrapped and hidden for the little donkey, which is sweet but places mom in hero position.
I prefer picture books that allow more focus on the child solving problems or discovering things, not just experiencing emotions and being drawn through the story by an adult. Also, the Ibis character seemed unnecessary. I assume he was there for comic relief, but it didn't work for me. Just a cliched, grumpy shop keeper interrupting the flow.
The story (for me) focuses too much on the mom and not the child as central to the action. She makes and enforces the rules and he reluctantly obeys. On the final page we see a kite gift wrapped and hidden for the little donkey, which is sweet but places mom in hero position.
I prefer picture books that allow more focus on the child solving problems or discovering things, not just experiencing emotions and being drawn through the story by an adult. Also, the Ibis character seemed unnecessary. I assume he was there for comic relief, but it didn't work for me. Just a cliched, grumpy shop keeper interrupting the flow.
November 14, 2007
I think everyone has had the experience as a child of buying a friend a gift and having trouble parting with it. This is it! But cuter.
April 18, 2010
Mixed feelings on this one...donkey buys a gift for his friend that he wants and covets it. His mother makes him give it to the friend but somehow the book (and donkey)come across pretty annoying.
February 25, 2011
Loved it.
April 23, 2012
everyone likes to get birthday presents
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews