The Christmas Donkey

by T. William Taylor, Andrea Brooks (Illustrator)

A small mistreated donkey is sold to a carpenter, who finds the animal very helpful in transporting his wife and new son when the family flees from Bethlehem to Egypt after the king decrees all baby boys must be killed.

Genres: Christmas, Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Christian, Holiday, Fiction

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Summer]

It was a very sweet story. After reading it, G. had a very sweet smile on his face and said, “ I like that story mom.”

[Sally]

Madrikh is a farmer's beloved little donkey, whom he is one day forced into selling to a very cruel trader who mistreats his pack animals horribly. One day, the little donkey collapses under the heavy weight he's being forced to carry and the trader goes postal on him - but luckily, Madrikh is rescued by none other than Joesph (or Mary and Joesph fame), who gives all the money he has to buy him from the trader. When Mary and Joesph are told to go to Bethlehem, it is Madrikh who carries Mary. And then Madrikh again who carried Mary and Jesus out of Bethlehem and into Egypt... and back to his first owner, the kind farmer. And they all live happily ever after!

I actually really enjoyed this story. It was very sweet and not at all overly religious. In fact, the way it's told, it's not even religious at all! Just a very nice, simple way to tell bible stories to children. It doesn't explain much - the story really is more that of the donkey's than anyone else :)

[Ashley]

I recently started going through books from my grandmothers, reading ones both I remember and those I don't but are very old while I was babysitting a friends kid.

This is one I am don't remember this one being read to me but reading it I like it and can tell a big difference from books for children of today then those over 35 years ago.

[Shannon Lemon]

Some religious kids books have a nice message and this one kind of does, but it is missing some plot points to be sure. Sad, might be slightly disturbing in parts to kids, and not as good as it could have been. It feels hastily made. I would probably skip it. But this is a book from my childhood in my collection so I’m keeping it for nostalgias sake.

[Amy]

The donkey is named Madrikh meaning pathfinder.
When Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus are escaping to Egypt, they come to a place where five roads meet and Joseph isn't sure which way to go...but Madrikh does!
A Christmas favorite.

[Kylie Abecca]

Not the best version of the bible story of Mary and Joseph. While I get that it was a different perspective it wasn’t very pleasant and had many inconsistencies.

[Joy Gerbode]

A favorite from my childhood!

[Shaye Webb]

Grade Level: K-2
Genre: Historical Fiction

I liked this book but it can be read out loud in school or be in a school library because it talks about Christmas and Jesus. I liked it but it’s not a book for schools.

[Christy]

A small mistreated donkey is sold to a carpenter, who finds the animal very helpful in transporting his wife and new son when the family flees from Bethlehem to Egypt after the king decrees all baby boys must be killed.

[Margaret Chind]

Good telling of the Christmas story. Blonde Mary?

[ShaRhonda]

Loved this book. Wish scripture had been included.

[Christina]

Highly recommended Christmas story

[Amy]

one of my all-time favorites from when I was a kid!

[Little Champs]

H 74