I read the description of The Donkey Egg a few days before reading the book. It sounded horrible, even if it was by the fantastic author Janet Stevens book (Tops and Bottoms). I figured if I found the book, I was going to read it, but was not going to go out of my way to look for it. However, when I found it, I was pleasantly surprised.
I do not know why I liked the story. The fact that Fox tricks Bear is just horrible. As I am not one for pranks, tricksters in stories are not always a favorite of mine. But there was something charming about the other parts to the overall story.
Everyone knows Donkeys do not come from eggs. Or do they? Fox, bored, decides to trick Bear out of some money by selling him a donkey egg. Next comes the antics of Bear trying to hatch his egg. He keeps it warm, takes care of it, entertains it. This will amuse most children. (SPOILER) The fact is a donkey does come out of that “egg” in a very amazing way.
Of course, Hare plays a roll in all of this as well. And Fox does get his in the end.
The illustrations are Susan Stevens Crummel signature style. You might not know the name, but you know the art (Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! and Jackalope). The colors are fabulously bright. Color pops from every corner of the page. Even the white and lighter colors are bold. The details are amazing and fill every inch of the page. The artwork alone is worth it.