The Magic Donkey Ride

by Giles Andreae

He ran into the meadow And he came to Treacle’s side Treacle said, "I’m going to take you On a magic donkey ride!" As Flinn discovers one magical night, Treacle is no ordinary donkey! Treacle arrives at Flinn’s bedside and the donkey whisks the boy away to a wonderful airborne adventure, high above the trees and rooftops. Filled with bright artwork and charming rhymes, this edition also includes an audio CD featuring the story read by television’s Hugh Laurie.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Paperback

First published September 26, 2002

About the author

Giles Andreae is the author of several children's books, including the best-selling Giraffes Can't Dance, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees. He is the creator of Purple Ronnie, one of the most successfully licensed cartoon characters in his native England.

Giles lives with his wife and three children in Notting Hill, England.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable story about a little boy who has a donkey live nearby. The donkey refuses to remove his saddle, when the little boy goes out to meet him at night he discovers the reason for this is that the donkey has a pair of wings and they go for a magical night time flight.

One thing I don't like about the plot of this book, which happens in many children's books, is that the little boy is encouraged by the donkey to sneak out at night without his parents knowing and afterwards the donkey says not to tell his parents and it will be their little secret. Although hopefully most children will see the difference between a talking donkey and a stranger I would want children to know they shouldn't be asked by anyone, even magical donkeys, to keep a secret from their parents.

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[Sarah Shanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a boy named Flinny and a donkey named Treacle. Flinny was Treacle's closest friend. Flinny would go riding on Treacle for hours on end. Farmer Jack had no idea why Treacle would not allow him to remove his saddle but he knew there was something strange about it. Treacle is no ordinary donkey as Flinny discovers one magical night when he is whiskey away on a 'Magic donkey ride' high above the fields, streams, meadows, hills and towns.

The rhyming text and beautiful illustrations make this an excellent read aloud book. The prominent text makes this appealing to children. I imagine children being completely engrossed in this book and being mesmerised by the fact that beneath the saddle Treacle had wings.

I think this would be a great book to use with the projector, if being read aloud by the teacher, so the children can all see the fantastic illustrations.

I would recommend this book for Year 1 and Year 2 children.

[Erin Dodson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute fantasy book, it is about a Donkey named Treacle and his young friend Flinny. Treacle lived on a small farm just outside of town by a river. Farmer Jack who owned Treacle thought it was strange that Treacle wouldn't let him remove his saddle and menti0ns this to young Flinny. Treacle winked and whispered in Flinny's ear to meet him back at midnight.

One thing that I loved about this book is that it shows that it is okay to be your own person and make choices based on what is best for you. Treacle chooses to leave the saddle on to hide his wings from everyone, except he has now shared his secret with Flinny.

I think it also shows students that you can trust others with your secrets and it will create a special bond. This book also has some cute illustrations, seemingly geared towards a younger audience. But there is some good usage of imagery and there is a lot of rhyming which is fun and makes the book easier to read, and is more predictable for younger audiences. Based on the cover we already know that the donkey can fly, providing that predictably that students often crave when reading.

[Zoe Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of a donkey who wouldn’t take his saddle off for the grown up. But when the child took it off at night time it revealed wings and the donkey took him on a magical ride through the sky.

[Mini Reviewers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book and story, I wasn't expecting the donkey to have wings and be able to fly!!

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of our favourite childrens stories. We love Treacle & Flyn

[Be · Rating 5 out of 5]

treacle was a donkey with a coat of golden brown and he lived beside a river on a farm just out of town....!

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vdry fun book for little ones, made a fun bedtime story for my 2 year old daughger.