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Title: The Silver Donkey
Author: Sonya Hartnett
Narrator: Richard Aspel
Format: Unabridged
Length: 4 hrs and 9 mins
Language: English
Release date: 07-19-06
Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes
Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10
Publisher's Summary:
One bright spring morning in the woods of France, a soldier, blinded by the war, is found by a little girl named Coco, and her older sister Marcelle. In return for their kindness, the soldier tells the sisters marvelous tales, each story connected to the keepsake he carries in his pocket: a perfect, tiny, silver donkey. As the days pass and they struggle in secret to help the soldier reach home, Coco and Marcelle learn the truth behind the silver donkey, and what the precious object means: honesty, loyalty, and courage.
©2004 Sonya Hartnett (P)2005 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
Editorial Reviews:
This is a touching and imaginative tale about two little French girls who discover an English soldier in the woods near their home during World War I. Shell-shocked and blind, the soldier is determined to make his way home to care for a sick brother, and the girls do their best to help him. In return, he tells them tales both true and imagined, spun from the little silver donkey he carries in his pocket. Performer Richard Aspel's narration strikes just the right notes of both sadness and whimsy, while his voices for the little French girls are amusing. An award-winning young adult tale that speaks to both the horrors of war and the powers of friendship.
Critic Reviews:
"Precise, sensual, wise, heroic, witty: a tale of growth and selflessness. Read it aloud to a group of children today!" (Magpies Magazine) "Hartnett has created a classic with warm characters who decry war and help each other despite being handicapped in their own ways. Aspel brings these memorable people to life with an impressive scope of emotion and accent. This is an endearing tale suitable for all ages." (AudioFile)
Members Reviews:
A thoughtful fable to read with your child.
A few of us inaugurated a book club for 3rd grade girls with this story and it was a great start for us.
This story is beautifully written and has many layers, it was great for the adults and interesting enough for the girls, despite the backdrop of a war and subject matter that is difficult for young people to relate to: should you stay and fight in a war that has depleted you and made you question why you are there and hurt your psyche badly or go home to your family?
There were a lot of unanswered questions at the end of our discussion. Who did the donkey represent? Did Lieutenant get home? Was John real or made up? What significance was the beetle in the end?
Even though we didn't have clear answers, the girls were satisfied with the questions and were inspired to keep reading. All in all, a very good story to read with and explain to a child under 12. 13 and older can probably understand the subject matter and get more depth from it without a parent's input.
Five Stars
It was a beautiful story.
The Silver Donkey
I bought this book for my granddaughter a couple of years ago and she said it was the best book she had read. Unfortunately, she handed out to a friend and never got it back, so I ordered her another one because she always talks about how great this book was.
Mostly satisfied...
The book arrived quickly and in good condition. However, there was no dust jacket and that minor fact was omitted in the description of the book...
Tender and beautiful.
This morning I had every intention of reading just the first few chapters of The Silver Donkey, a novel from Australian author Sonia Hartnett.
