The Donkey That No One Could Ride

By: Anthony DeStefano
Illustrated by: Richard Cowdrey
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Publication Date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-0736948517
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: February 4, 2012

There once was a donkey so small, so weak, with a crooked back and such scrawny legs, that nobody could ride him. He was too weak to pull a cart or even dig ditches. He was useless and everybody made fun of him.

"He couldn’t pull carts
With huge bales of hay;
Just lifting a feather would make his legs sway.
No, this donkey was useless, no good at all,
Too puny, too shaky, too scrawny – too small."

The donkey’s cruel owner was disgusted with the little runt and told him to go away. The tearful donkey, with head carried low, was led to the outskirts of town where he was tied to a post and left to fend for himself.

But this little donkey was destined for greatness for he was the one that would carry Our Lord triumphantly into Jerusalem. All the donkey had to do was believe in Him.

Based on the Bible story of Jesus riding a humble donkey into Jerusalem, The Donkey That Nobody Could Rideis a touching story about faith. We meet a sweet, lowly donkey that is chided at every turn for his small stature and weakness. With a very postive, and beautiful, message about the power of faith, children will root from the donkey and love the wonderful ending. Told in rhyme, the story is quite engaging and charming. Add in the fabulous illustrations by Richard Cowdrey (illustrator for the Marley and Me series) and you have a winner. No doubt your child will be asking to bring the donkey home – he is so adorable. You will also, no doubt, be asked to read this story again and again, as it is sure to become a bedtime favorite.

Quill says: The Donkey That Nobody Could Ride is a beautiful story that will teach little ones much about believing in the Master and how faith can give you strength.