The Character Carousel animals are now brightening the days of students, teachers and administrators at Glenwood Elementary. The creatures appear in a mural by artist Gale Hinton, which debuted just before the start of the 2004-05 school year.

The painting shows the cuddly animals cavorting in a parklike setting, and principal Pearl Goins told KnoxNews that it has caused a stir. Teachers have praised it and said it has changed the lighting in the lobby. Students smile at the creatures, and parents say it enhances the warmth they already sense at the school.

"We wanted something that brought together the whole focus of CHARACTER COUNTS!," Ms. Goins said. "We wanted to make it visual and make it so children may relate to it very easily."