Ed Young, author, illustrator
Publisher: Atheneum; First Edition (October 1, 1995)
ISBN-13 : 978-0689318542
Taking their donkey to the market, a grandfather and grandson try to accommodate several passersby who voice their opinions about who should ride the donkey and how the donkey should be treated, in a story about following one’s own decisions.
Leading their donkey to a market town across the desert, a man and his grandson take to heart every bit of advice and admonition offered by people along the way. First the child must ride, then the old man, then they must not overtax the donkey, and finally, they carry the beast, until they learn that ” … to prosper, they must follow their own hearts.” Young gives the old fable a beautiful setting. Using subtle changes in the background colors to define the time of day, he creates images within images within scenes of powerful simplicity. The horizon stretches across spacious double-page spreads made of paper collage with pastels defining details of people and animals. With all the figures appearing on the fluid line where sand meets sky, every silhouetted line, shape, and gesture takes on greater meaning and drama. The pictures are simplified almost to the point of abstraction, but the clear definition of the people and the donkey will keep young children involved in the story. A timeless interpretation of an ancient fable.
—Carolyn Phelan, Booklist