Laura Lee Hope 
Story Of A Nodding Donkey 

The Story Of A Nodding Donkey by Laura Lee Hope is a children’s book about a toy donkey named Rufus who is purchased by a young girl named Marjorie. Rufus is a special kind of toy donkey, as he has a mechanism inside of him that causes his head to nod up and down when he is pulled along on wheels. Marjorie quickly grows to love Rufus and takes him everywhere she goes. Along the way, she meets other children who are also fascinated by Rufus and want to play with him. However, one day Rufus’ mechanism breaks and he can no longer nod his head. Marjorie is heartbroken, but her father takes Rufus to be repaired and he is eventually returned to her in perfect working order. The story teaches children about the value of taking care of their belongings, as well as the joy of sharing them with others. It also highlights the importance of perseverance, as Rufus is eventually fixed and returned to Marjorie thanks to her father’s determination.