A Donkey at the Races is a
rhyming picture book about perseverance, courage, and fun. When the rooster-coach mentor Cockeratti announces the famous Donkey Long Race, Joey—the funny donkey character—trades barn chores for a rugged mountain-trail race. Children witness an
underdog hero tale gallop across vibrant pages while learning that big dreams—even for a small donkey—can come true with practice and heart.
Target age range: Ages 3-9 (preschool, kindergarten, first, second, and third grade). Musical
early reader rhymes support emerging readers, while adventurous farm-animal scenes keep older kids engaged during
classroom read-aloud fun or
bedtime story sessions.
Story snapshot
Guided by Cockeratti’s upbeat coaching, Joey trains through fields, rivers, and rugged
mountains. Chickens cluck encouragement, goats tease, and a cheering
barnyard crowd gathers as race day nears. Along the route Joey faces a surprise bear, aching hooves, and rivals built for speed, yet his steady stride and
growth mind-set carry him to the finish. He doesn’t place first, but he wins confidence, friendship, and respect—proving the real trophy is
resilience.
Why children love it
- Illustrated adventure – Bright, humorous artwork lets farmyard friends leap off the page, turning every spread into a mini festival.
- Action & humour – Mud splashes, cliff scrambles, and a comic rooster whistle merge racing adventure for children with belly laughs.
- Positive lessons – Themes of perseverance, teamwork, sportsmanship for kids, overcoming fear, and self-motivation appear naturally inside a farm animal adventure.
Teacher & parent benefits
- Built-in vocabulary for SEL and positive growth-mind-set discussions: perseverance, determination, resilience, empowerment, courage.
- Clear moments for choral reading, prediction, and sequencing activities that support early-learning standards.
- Flexible length—read the entire journey in one sitting or explore verse sets individually during literacy centres.
Format highlights
The 32-page, 8.5″-square layout features bold, high-contrast fonts and
picture-book adventure rhymes that help early readers track each word. A durable matte cover, glossy interiors, and playful endpapers make it a long-lasting gift for birthdays, classroom libraries, or summer reading challenges. Families on road trips will love its compact size and humorous barnyard banter.
Give young readers an entertaining
animal teamwork lesson that doubles as a gentle nudge toward their own goals. Add A Donkey at the Races to your collection today and watch new readers turn pages, chant rhymes, and believe, “I can finish my race, too.” Joey’s journey is more than fun—it’s a roadmap from doubt to confidence for every dreamer in the barnyard and beyond.
