Little Green Donkey

A good pick even for picky readers.

Allepuz delivers a humorous take on a topic that's quite common, while depicting an adorable donkey in pastel illustrations. Help picky eaters reflect on the consequences of poor diets, discuss nutrition, and highlight favorite foods in a fun way.

Employing vibrant mixed media illustrations and an exuberant, single-minded protagonist, Allepuz (That Fruit Is Mine!) presents a comic cautionary tale for picky eaters. Round-bellied Little Donkey has a very limited palate that--despite his mother's pleas--consists entirely of grass, "so sweet and tangy, flavory fresh and green!" "Even my pillow is made of grass, so that when I wake up, I can start eating right away," Little Donkey declares. An opening image of the animal luxuriating in a lush emerald field makes grass seem very tasty indeed, but as Little Donkey's belly fills, the voracious eater transforms from pale gray to viridescent. Venturing to a stream for water, Little Donkey is shocked by the lawn-like reflection staring back: "I am a GIGANTIC herb!" When an attempt at a muddy, leafy disguise fails to fool Little Donkey's mom, she attempts to offer her child some new foods--oranges, grapes, apples, watermelon. Via a mostly blank text-only spread, readers are told that nothing is as delicious as grass. But an explosion of carroty confetti, and an amusing tune celebrating the orange food, suggest that Little Donkey's newest obsession may again have colorful consequences. The bright, silly humor of Allepuz's gleeful gourmand will leave even the fussiest eaters giggling. Ages 3-7. (July)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS--It's fragrant, delicious, and irresistible, and the little gray-brown donkey eats so much of the grass he loves that he soon turns green. That's where preschoolers will howl for the first time. His misguided but funny attempts to hide himself--rolling in the mud and covering his body with leaves--fail. Next, with the encouragement of his mother, the little donkey tries a range of foods including oranges, watermelon, apples, and grapes. The next moment of delight comes when the donkey discovers a passion for carrots--and turns orange. Like Eric Carle's A Very Hungry Caterpillar, this book will have a rapt and ready audience. VERDICT Allepuz's text and illustrations combine to highlight the sweet ridiculousness of embracing one choice to the exclusion of others.--Alpha DeLap, St. Thomas Sch., Medina, WA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.