Donkey Trouble

by Ed Young

The Caldecott Medalist's representation of the Arabian folktale is set against the vast expanse of desert and sky and follows a boy and his grandfather's attempt to take a donkey to market while trying to honor the suggestions of passersby. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Ed Young is the illustrator of more than eighty books for children, seventeen of which he has also written. Among his books is the Caldecott Medal winner Lon Po Po, which he both wrote and illustrated. He says that his work is inspired by the philosophy of Chinese painting. He lives in Westchester County, New York.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story where first no one is riding the donkey; then after advice, the boy is riding the donkey; then after criticism, the dad is riding the donkey; etc., etc.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A retelling of the old donkey fable. The illustrations are a bit drab.

[Kimberlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: "Donkey Trouble"
Author: Ed Young
Illustrator: Ed Young
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: 1995

Genre: Fable Picture Book
Grades: K-2

This story is about a simple old man and his simple grandson. They had nothing but their donkey. So they traveled to the market to sell their donkey. As they traveled across the hot desert, they kept running into people who would give rude remarks or advice of how they should travel with their donkey. When someone would complain or give advice, the old man and grandson would do as suggested. Eventually advice came that the old man and grandson should be the ones carrying the donkey. As they approached a crowd of people laughing, the donkey was startled and kicked free. The old man and grandson was now left with nothing. They did learn though to "follow their own hearts."

Activities:
1. The students will do a round table discussion about giving the old man and grandson a second chance. What would happen in the story now?

2. The students will be divided into groups to make a board game of the events that happened in the story. Maybe in the game someone can actually make it to the market selling their donkey.

[Beranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donkey Trouble:
Genre: Fable
Grades: 1-4
Donkey trouble is the story of a man in his grandson who have nothing left of value in their lives except for their prize donkey. Despite wanting to keep the donkey the man and his grandson knew they must sell the donkey to survive. Together the man and his grandson travel hundreds of miles through harsh conditions to sell the donkey. In the end they realize that to be prosperous they must not do what other people think is right, rather, they must follow their own hearts. Only this will make them prosperous.
Activities:
1. The students will research the major uses of donkeys throughout history.
2. The students will create board games that show the journey of the characters in the Donkey Trouble book.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooooohhh, how I love the picture books that make you think and leave you with a great moral! A man and his grandson head off to market to sell their only possession: a donkey.

Along the way they meet travelers who assert their opinions about the fashion in which the trio is traveling. The man and his grandson do their best to satisfy the many people they cross paths with, but find that following one's own heart serves them best.

Paper collage and pastel illustration reflect the simple nature of the man and his grandson and also their lack of possessions.

A great teaching tale for young and old.

[Jeanette Yanez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed how the main characters were men instead of the traditional women. I also was a fan of how there was a lesson at the end of the book. It shocked me how funny and sweet the book was, for some reason I was not expecting it to be like that. I was expecting it to be the traditional man saving women by a donkey or something along those lines. I also liked the setting of the novel and how so many other characters worked to change the manner in which the couple of men where traveling. It showed overcoming obstacles and learning how to achieve your goals in your own manner.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a fantastic fable to read aloud to share with your child or a classroom full of them. Along the way to sell their donkey at the market a grandfather and grandson hear the various opinions of many people along the way. Not wanting to upset anyone the grandfather/son take the unsolicited advise; which in-turn teaches them the greatest lesson of all "to prosper, they must follow their own hearts." I enjoyed asking my daughter what she thought of each travelers suggestions and if she would have chosen to follow it, a great discussion book.

[Judy W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am becoming a fan of Ed Young. Illustrations look like they were originally from cut-outs: I really liked them. Parable - the outcome of listening to too many opinions instead of following your course.

[Claire Aiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book about how you can never please everyone!