The four donkeys

by Lloyd Alexander, Lester Abrams (Illustrator)

When they have to take on the donkey's load to get to the fair, the tailor, baker, and shoemaker all learn to be tolerant of the other fellow's point of view.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series, The High King , was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Amusing original story in the style of a folktale.

The illustrations are nice, with plenty of detail - a bit in the style of Maxfield Parrish for The Knave of Hearts with some of Maurice Sendak's colors. I especially like some spreads where the image bursts out from one page onto the other.

[deborah o'carroll (offline during 2026)]

I love it so much. 😂 And there's an otter! 😍 The Four Donkeys was a delightful folk-tale-esque picture book by Lloyd Alexander. One of the last of his children's books I hadn't read yet, I got it for my birthday and found it full of his winsome wisdom and wry humor and delight that I always love.

[Cheryl]

Read on openlibrary.org.

The detailed illustrations are a hoot, reminding me somehow simultaneously of Sendak, Hyman, and Maxwell Parrish, with even a dash of Brett. And some are charmingly surreal, too. And yet they're distinctly his own, too. I will look for more by him!

The story is longish and a bit unsatisfactory, but still fun, with a good lesson.

[John]

I like this book because they get to this place, but there's [spoiler alert] no party going on.

[Jane Ellen]

Whimsical illustrations and a witty modern fable. A little long, perhaps, for my two year old, but I think we will have fun with it once he's older!

[Christie B]

Okay, this is one of my new favourite children's books! A funny lesson in empathy and sympathy complete with illuminated text and adorable pictures (I just love the animals with shoes on their heads!). I think adults could learn a lot from this book. I'm so glad I happened to pick this up today in my quest to clear out the items I had intended to sell in my online shop (but now will not be able to). Most of the things I found are going to be donated but this is a keeper!

[dthaase]

A fabulous modern day fairy tale about complaint and contentment. The edition I got from the library was illustrated by Lester Abrams and his art work took the story to a whole other level. All around this was a delightful children's book.

[♫Lexi♫]

I got this book from the free book box in Stone Ridge library and gave it to Zorian for his birthday Sana said she liked it too.

[Lynnette]

The tailor, Baker and Shoemaker all learn their lesson when they become donkeys for a day. And what a change!

Excellent book!

[Kim]

Interesting story about walking in another person's (or donkey's as this case may be) shoes. The illustrations are very creative with lots for little ones to look at.

[Beverly]

An excellent little fable of foolishness and selfishness versus wisdom and generosity. Wonderful, whimsical illustrations by Lester Abrams.

[Anthony Faber]

Kids' book. A short moral tale. A bit too didactic and simplistic for my taste, but it's probably geared towards a younger audience.

[Tessa]

It was okay. I didn't care for the art and the story was like Vesper Holly--he wasn't trying very hard. But it's still Alexander, which means that it's still good.

[Lyn]

Charming story but very weird illustrations that I sometimes chose not to show the children.

[Kimberly]

I had so many ideas for teaching concepts and morals from this one story. Love it.

[Suz]

The books has very nice complex illustrations and a good lesson to be learned.