Lokael The Donkey Who Carried Jesus

I’m an adult – and this book almost made me cry! It is so beautiful, and original, and cretive, and moving. It begins with Katen, a donkey colt, going with his mother to Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem, as she carries their owners to see Jesus, who is coming to Passover.

The conversations between Katen and his mother are lively and wonderful, as Katen states he would love to carry Jesus, yet his mother states that since Jesus is the Son of God, he would undoubtedly be carried by a large white horse or an elephant, not a humble donkey. But when they arrive, Jesus, who can speak donkey language (he states he can speak the language of all God’s creatures, since he is the son of God who created them all), asks Katen’s mother for permission for Katen to carry him, and assures the anxious mother donkey that he would not ask if he did not know that Katen was strong enough.

This part, where Jesus approaches the animals in such a humble, loving way, is beautiful. And so Katen begins his journey of carrying Jesus and Jesus names him Lokael, meaning one who carries the Lord. The book continues as Lokael carries Jesus up to the Mount of Olives, through the triumphant walk in Israel, and is there watching while Jesus is beaten and made to walk to the cross. And after he is risen Jesus appears to Lokael and speaks to him.

This rendition of the Jesus’ being crucified and rising again is beautiful, original, creative, and yet so accurate, and incredibly moving. The book ends later, on a beautiful note that captures everything Lokael has learned. The illustrations are beautiful, and appear to capture the mood and flavor of Israel in the time of Christ This book is strongly recommended – I would say it is written for second grade, through upper elementary, through middle school readers – but adults will enjoy it too!

The story of Lokael: The Donkey Who Carried Jesus is also the story of Jesus, His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His fulfilling of scripture, and His resurrection – told through the eyes of Loshem, a lowly donkey, and her colt, Katen – whom later Jesus names Lokael.

The illustrations and storyline give parents the opportunity to talk with their children about God’s gift of hope through Jesus’s life and death.

This is a wonderful alternative perspective of the Biblical story of Jesus’ triumphal entrance in Jerusalem for the Passover feast and Passion Story which is told from the view of a donkey with whom Jesus communicates in a very loving and understanding way.

This is a new and refreshing twist on a very familiar Bible story that we have been taught from our own childhood.

This story is a new way to continually engage children in learning about the Bible as told from different reference points (human and animal).

Children will be delighted by the Passion of Christ as seen through the eyes and heart of a lowly donkey. Needs to be an essential part of any child’s library at home.