Donkey Hodie

PBS KIDS

Fred Rogers Productions, Spiffy Pictures

DONKEY HODIE follows the adventures of a little donkey with big dreams in the whimsical world of Someplace Else, initially imagined by Fred Rogers on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. This vibrant puppetry series on PBS KIDS centers friendship and joy with lessons about resilience and perseverance.

The art of puppetry, a hand-crafted world, original music, and playful writing combine in this episode to offer preschoolers stories about facing fears and missing loved ones. In the first story, Bob Dog is afraid of Harriett Elizabeth Cow’s hot air balloon and runs inside when he sees it in the sky. With help from his friends, he finds his inner bravery. In the second story, Purple Panda is away for a whole week! When his pals miss him, they have fun by doing things that remind them of Panda.

“Bob Dog’s Balloon Bother” is an exciting production accomplishment that showcases the practical magic behind DONKEY HODIE. To achieve the hot air balloon in the sky, the team built both a miniature balloon that was practically rigged and filmed on set to travel over hills, and a full-sized basket that the puppeteer and Harriett could fit inside. When Harriett’s balloon lands and takes flight, the puppeteer is inside of the basket, standing on a platform several feet off the ground! The charm and emotion of Bob Dog hiding under his covers, tip-toeing across the floor, and touching Harriett’s basket are moments that highlight how the craft of puppetry can bring the joy and big feelings of childhood through the screen, connecting directly with the audience and inspiring them to dream big, overcome obstacles, and laugh themselves silly along the way.