Adorable story. Helps show that past trauma can make you scared but there’s better to come for you. Wonderful message! Love the page of verses as well. Some pages that help connect the story to God spelled out in simple terms for little ones I think could be helpful or discussion questions to prompt thoughts at the end. All in all though well done and wonderful encouraging message for all ages.

Thank you to Zonderkidz and NetGalley for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey is a beautifully illustrated Christian picture book that gently reminds children—and adults—that we don’t have to carry our worries alone.

Charlie the donkey spends each season of the farming year worrying about what might go wrong. He worries about walking in straight lines, waiting for seeds to grow, carrying heavy loads, and disappointing the Farmer when things become too difficult. Rather than responding with frustration or disappointment, the Farmer patiently teaches Charlie that he doesn’t have to carry every burden by himself. The story naturally builds toward the message of Matthew 11:28–30, illustrating what it means to find rest and strength in someone who faithfully walks beside us.

The watercolor illustrations are absolutely stunning. I especially appreciated how the artwork reflected the emotional journey of the story. The Farmer’s scenes are consistently bright, warm, and peaceful, while Charlie’s moments of anxiety feel visually heavier, allowing the illustrations to communicate just as much emotion as the text. Watching the fields transform from brown to green to shimmering gold beautifully reinforces the message that growth often happens long before we can see the harvest.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is how naturally the biblical message is woven into the narrative. Rather than interrupting the story with Scripture throughout, readers first experience Charlie’s journey before discovering the passages that inspired it. The inclusion of Matthew 11, the Parable of the Sower, and additional Scripture references at the end creates a wonderful opportunity for families to continue the conversation together.

Who should read this?

* Christian families looking for a gentle, faith-filled picture book
* Children who struggle with worry, anxiety, or fear of making mistakes
* Sunday school classrooms, churches, and homeschool libraries
* Readers who appreciate beautiful illustrations paired with meaningful biblical storytelling

This is a thoughtful, emotionally rich picture book that models patience, grace, and trust without ever feeling preachy. I would happily recommend it to families looking for stories that encourage children to bring their worries to God while reminding them that they never have to carry life’s burdens alone.

“The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey” by Hannah E. Harrison is a beautiful and gentle story illustrating the parable of the sower and the passage in Matthew 11 where God tells us His yoke is easy and His burden is light. The story is compelling and meaningful for children, reassuring the reader that they are never alone and that God, like the farmer in the story, is always with us and helping us. God is always patient with us, just like the farmer is patient with the little donkey. The story is simply presented. I love that the end of the book includes the Bible passages of the parable of the sower for readers to look up on their own. The book also includes a long list of Bible references for reassuring anxious young donkeys (and us old ones too) that God is with us.

I enjoyed this book so much. My daughter also enjoyed this book. I will be sharing this book information with friends, as well as buying a couple copies - one for myself and then at least one for a gift. This is an excellent book for adults to share with children, so it would also make a great gift idea if you have a child in your life who could use some encouragement or one who deals with anxiety.

How sweet! This is a great way of talking with kids about the Parable of the Sower with Biblical perspective that kids will understand. I love that the Farmer showed patience, grace, and was a strong example to the donkey when he was worried. I also love that there are verses about worrying included at the end of the story to help point children toward more Godly perspective if they have further questions. The illustrations are beautiful and the donkey is lovable and relatable.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Zonderkids Books for the advance gifted copy of this title.

A beautiful and heartfelt story written and illustrated by the author, about a donkey who has gone from a cruel master to a kind and understanding master and is scared of messing up and it changing how the good farmer sees him.

A lovely story that both adults and children can enjoy with charmingly classic illustrations. The story references Matthew 11, as well as the parable of the sower, while also showing the attributes of God and how we can trust him when anxiety rises. Such a wonderful message for all readers, this book makes a wonderful read-aloud, as well as a book to start conversations about God.

A beautifully done from beginning to end that is sure to become a treasured favorite in your child's library. Makes a great gift. Cute, humorous, classic, and full of truth. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First of all, thank you to Hannah Harrison and Zonkerkids for this discovery.
​Charlie is a peaceful donkey who wants nothing more than to please his owner though his owner doesn't treat him with much affection. That changes the day a stranger steps in to save Charlie from neglect and mistreatment, setting him on a journey toward healing.
​If you ever flip through this little book while sitting in a waiting room, you'll immediately be struck by the gentle story and illustrations. As the book itself puts it: "The Farmer gives me hope." This caring Farmer feels like a loving God full of love, kindness, and patience for a fragile, anxious donkey.
​It's a wonderful little book for teaching young children about hope and perseverance. It also gives parents a sweet opportunity to share their own faith and testimonies with their kids.
​Bravo, Hannah! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️