An Extravagance of Donkeys

by Janet Baker-Carr

These are true stories, told with insight and understanding, of life on a farm in New Hampshire that became a sanctuary for any donkey that needed a home. Donkeys are thought to be humble and stubborn. They are much more than from Jenny who goes up an Elizabethan spiral staircase and does not want to come down, to the concern members of the herd display when one of them is ill. They celebrate the arrival of a foal and respect the authority of the mule that joins them. When she dies, they stand on her grave and bray a sad requiem on and on into the night. Thousands of years of being the beast of burden of the poor have stamped donkeys with a stigma of inferiority, but they have humor, strong wills, and a great deal of affection to give. They are curious and loyal. These are stories about the donkeys with each other and with the author who established her love for her first donkey when she was very young. After the sad death of that donkey, she vowed to offer sanctuary to any donkey who needed a home. These are stories to read aloud in a family setting or perhaps by a young person who can empathize with and enjoy these often misunderstood gentle creatures. They are stories for anyone who loves animals.

90 pages, Paperback

First published March 16, 2006

Reviews

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a warm, friendly, interesting book of stories about donkeys one woman had after moving to a farm in New Hampshire. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned a bit about donkeys in the process. Quick, easy read. Loved it.

[Wanda Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like animal stories, this one about a woman's relationship with donkeys is really sweet.