The Hungry Donkey
#6 in Usborne Farmyard Tales (Numbered) Series
What’s inside...
In 'The Hungry Donkey', young readers are introduced to the charming farmyard where a particularly ravenous donkey causes all sorts of mischief in search of a snack. The story follows the donkey's adventures and the humorous consequences of his insatiable appetite.
Discussion points
What do you think the donkey was feeling when he was looking for food?
Why is it important to share with others, like when the donkey shared the apples?
How do you think the story would change if the donkey didn’t find any food?
What would you have done if you were the donkey?
Can you think of a time when you were really hungry? How did that feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the donkey's journey, fostering empathy and emotional understanding.
Discuss the importance of sharing and kindness, relating it to instances in the child’s own life to deepen their personal connection to the story.
Use expressive reading techniques, changing your tone of voice to match the emotions in the story, making the reading experience more dynamic and engaging.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, helping them visualize and remember the story better.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next at pivotal points in the story to keep them engaged and thinking critically.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: In the story, the hungry donkey learns to share the limited food available with other animals.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to share with siblings and friends, fostering a sense of empathy and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Greed
Explanation: The donkey faces trouble after eating too much, demonstrating that being greedy can lead to negative outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children understand the downsides of overindulgence and learn to exercise restraint in various aspects of life.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The donkey, along with other characters, finds creative solutions to deal with the scarcity of food.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think critically and solve problems creatively in their daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: As the donkey interacts with other hungry animals, it learns to understand and feel for their situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn to develop empathy, improving their interactions and relationships with others.