Louie has never been very good at looking after animals. Goldfish, worms, even bugs have all succumbed when in his care. So when his dad brings home a tiny baby donkey and asks him to nurse it to health, Louie fears the worst but determines to do his best. Friends and family aren't too optimistic but they all pull together and it helps them take their minds off Louie's brother Gus being away from home, too.

This is a lovely and frank story about caring for animals. We're clear at all times that this is no easy task and is unlikely to end well. But we're taken on Louie's journey of facing tough lessons in life, not least the ongoing worry of his older brother being away in the army. 

Against all the odds, though, Louie keeps the little donkey alive and with a few adventures on the way, realises that, despite building a strong bond, he has to let the donkey go. (He called the donkey Winslow.) 

Fortunately a friendly farmer needs a guard donkey and Louie and his new friend Nora can visit Winslow in his new home whenever they like.

It's a lovely read with important lessons about life, death, friendship and dealing with worry and anxiety, all handled with a lightness of touch. It's aimed at readers aged seven upwards.