Before the age of mechanization, donkeys were used worldwide as draft animals to pull and carry heavy loads. They are gentle and docile animals, but they also have a strong instinct for self-preservation, which gives rise to their undeserved reputation for stubbornness.
Did you know that donkeys and horses can interbreed, resulting in mules and hinnys? Donkeys and zebras also can interbreed, resulting in such exotic creatures as zeedonks and zonkeys. You’ll find all of these unusual animals discussed here.
This little book introduces adults and children alike to popular breeds of donkey. Each breed gets a spread featuring a color photograph and a full discussion of identifying characteristics, plus a write-up about the breed’s history, personality, foraging and mothering habits, and suitability for the small farm.
Industry Reviews
Fox Chapel Publishing sent me a birthday present! Well, not exactly, but it did show up unexpectedly in my mail yesterday. And what a delight it was! It was the *Know Your* series by Jack Byard It includes *Know Your* Pigs *Know Your* Chickens *Know Your* Donkeys & Mules and *Know Your* Cows. These are pocket books that are sold separately. Monday is library day here at the homestead, as the boys and I pulled off, grabbing the mail in transit, I was super curious what was in the package. I had no idea that they were sending me anything. Medium ripped it open for me. He was thrilled. Medium is 10 yrs old. He devoured the *Know Your* Cows pocket book. He found our Kerries, but was confused on not being able to find Murrial. I had to explain that the shorthorns that Mr. Byard had in the book was the closest he would get to her (Murrial is an American Milking Shorthorn). In the foreword of the book, Mr.Byard does say that there are a lot of cows out there, and he hopes he can give you a glimpse into the diversity of them. Large had a grand time with the *Know Your* Pig. I think he has picked out a pet, a very wooly pig. The *Know Your* series is a great reference for not only children (Mr. Byard is a retired teacher and wrote these books because he discovered that most children didn't know that there are more than 2 kinds of sheep, black or white), but anyone interested in heritage, endangered or just plain barnyard animals. The pictures are gorgeous, highlighting the best of the animals. And it includes tidbits and trivia about the animals. I highly recommend this series. So much so that I contacted Fox Chapel Publishing to see if I could host a giveaway for you all.