Published by Zonderkidz on September 1, 2026
Genres: Children's
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The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey is an honest and heartwarming picture book that reminds us that we are not alone and God is our strength. This story beautifully captures the essence of Matthew 11 (“his yoke is easy and his burden is light”) and the parable of the sower.
Charlie is a small donkey who works for the miller, but he’s not the strongest and he sometimes makes the miller mad. When a farmer comes and takes Charlie to a beautiful farm, Charlie worries that if he disappoints the farmer, the farmer will no longer want him. But Charlie is in for a surprise, because his farmer is a Good Farmer who is patient, wise, understanding, and strong. Through both touching and humorous moments, Charlie learns about his special place on the farm and why he can trust the Good Farmer with his worries.
The Bible is full of references to seeds, wheat, and farming, but what do those stories tell us about the attributes of God? Or how can we learn to rely on God? In a time when anxiety rates among children are on the rise, The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey uses a relatable character and a riveting story to bring biblical truth to life for kids and illustrate how we can cast our cares on God.
From Hannah Harrison, the author and illustrator of Christlit Book Award winning and ECPA bestselling The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep, The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey is perfect for:
children ages 4 and up
family devotions and bedtime reading
discussions about what it means to have a burden and a yoke, the meaning of the parable of the sower, and the importance of casting your cares on God
Sunday school lessons and church libraries
fall and harvest celebrations and gift giving occasions
Christian families will appreciate this book’s artful, sensitive portrayal of faith. The main character is a donkey who has suffered under a hard master before, and he struggles to believe that the good farmer truly cares about him. Over the course of the story, the donkey learns that the good farmer cares about him for who he is. He also finds that even when he makes mistakes, the farmer will respond with grace and encouragement.
The illustrations are beautiful and soothing, and the story is engaging. At the end, the author shares a list of the Bible verses that this story either directly references or alludes to. I appreciate how the author wove these biblical concepts into the narrative itself, instead of disrupting the story’s flow to present teaching content. On that note, some of the messages are more overt, while others are subtle and open to interpretation. This book invites repeated reads and gives families opportunities for meaningful discussion.
The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey will appeal to Christian families. It will be especially meaningful for parents who grew up in harsh and legalistic faith environments, and who want to raise their kids with a deep sense of God’s grace and mercy. This book will also resonate deeply with kids and parents who deal with anxiety, or who have a hard time moving on when they make mistakes. I highly recommend this book to families looking for beautifully illustrated, enjoyable stories with a powerful Christian faith message.
