The soldier unfurled his fingers and held up the thing that had hidden in his palm. The object caught the morning light and threw it sparkling into the trees. The girls drew a breath, their hearts leaping. There, on the soldier's palm, stood a shining silver donkey.

One bright spring morningin the woods of France, a soldier, blinded by the war, is found by a little girl, Coco, and her older sister, Marcelle. In return for their kindness the soldier tells the sisters marvellous tales connected to the keepsake he carries in his pocket.

As the days pass and they struggle in secret to help the soldier reach home, Coco and Marcelle learn the truth behind the silver donkey and what the precious object means: honesty, loyalty and courage.

Reviews by the children of Perdiswell Primary School, Worcester.