Book Review – The Donkey who Carried the Wounded

Book Four in The Animal Stars Series by Jackie French

Apr 14, 2009

John Simpson Kirkpatrick is an Australian ANZAC legend. Jackie French honours Simpson and his donkey in the latest book in The Animal Stars series.

Continuing her popular children’s historical fiction series, Australian author Jackie French explores the events of the battle of Gallipoli in The Donkey who Carried the Wounded (HarperCollins, 2009).

The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded

The Donkey who Carried the Wounded tells the story of Simpson and the amazing bravery of the stretcher bearers at Anzac Cove. Offering a blend of fact and fiction, French presents the story from several viewpoints including Simpson, a Turkish sniper, stretcher bearer Richard Henderson and Simpson’s infamous donkey Duffy.

Through the eyes of the donkey and Jack Simpson, French shares the story of Gallipoli from the initial invasion on 25th April 1915 until the final evacuation in December 1915. Simpson recounts his experiences wandering amongst the dead and dying in the battlefield and the donkey muses on the unfathomable actions of the men around him.

Descriptions of injuries may disturb sensitive, younger readers. The books are ideally suited for children aged 9 – 13 years.

Teaching Children about the ANZACs

With extensive experience writing historical fiction for children, French deftly manages to simultaneously entertain and educate her readers, using the donkey’s naive perspective as a platform to explain and inform while Jack Simpson offers more knowing insights into the soldiers and their behaviour.

Highlighting the futility of the battle whilst lauding the men who fought with great bravery and determination, French ensures that readers are aware that the Turkish soldiers were simply defending their own country, as much victims of the situation as the Australian, New Zealand and British soldiers.

Jack Simpson and His Donkey and Gallipoli Stretcher Bearers

Born in England in 1892, John Simpson Kirkpatrick spent several years working in Australia before World War I. He was trained as a stretcher bearer with the 3rd Field Ambulance, 1st Australian Division, Australian Imperial Force.

It’s unknown exactly how Simpson’s donkey arrived at Anzac Cove. He found the animal soon after the landing and was legendary for his bravery, walking with the donkey confidently through the battlefield collecting the wounded, often whistling or singing as he went.

Simpson was one of many stretcher bearers helping the wounded. After his death on 19th May 1915, New Zealander Richard Henderson continued to use the donkey to carry the wounded to safety. Others struggled with unbelievable conditions to bring comfort and medical treatment to the wounded and dying.

The Animal Stars Series

Through the animal featured in each story, French offers children a character to which they can relate and connect. The animal is generally confused by the behaviour of the humans around it, yet feels love and loyalty towards a particular individual. This offers readers a positive emotional experience as well as an opportunity for French to inform readers through the animal’s objective observations of people and events.

The Donkey who Carried the Wounded is a wonderful addition to this exciting series. An extensive information section at the end of the book ensures that readers are aware of exactly which elements of the story are fictional and the story itself is so engaging that readers are sure to progress through this section with great interest.

This story and others in the series are ideal for late primary and early high school students and The Donkey who Carried the Wounded is an excellent way to explain the significance of ANZAC Day and the ANZAC legend to students.

The copyright of the article Book Review – The Donkey who Carried the Wounded in Australian Literature is owned by Susan Whelan. Permission to republish Book Review – The Donkey who Carried the Wounded in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.