Saving Winslow

By: Sharon Creech / Narrated By: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 2 hrs and 8 mins

Because even kids should learn about how to let go

If you’re expecting to find something life-altering here in Saving Winslow for you now, at your great age, you probably won’t find it. If, however, you want a jolly good kids’ listen that’ll make you laugh and make you smile (And, yeh yeh yeh, it’ll do a bit o’ tugging on your heartstrings too), give this audiobook a try.

First off, let me just say that one of the reasons I picked this book is because Kirby Heyborne narrates it. And while I must admit that I very much bonded with his performance in Four-Four-Two, a war book (…oops), I eventually DID get over it and started hearing THIS story rather than the voices from THAT one. I’ve gotta hand it to the guy: He reeeeally puts everything he has into each book he narrates.

Here you’ll find him doing Louie, a young boy who 1) Desperately misses his older brother who’s off at war and is starting to write funky things in letters, and 2) Does NOT have a good track record with raising animals. It’s not for lack of love or lack of care. It’s just that his uncle lives on a farm, and life and nature take terrible turns every now and again. So when a baby mini-donkey is deposited at his home, everyone around Louie cautions him not to bond with it, not to get too attached. To contemplate its death rather than its life.

Louie can’t help it; he just has one of those hearts that wants to believe in life, and he does the unthinkable. He names the little guy Winslow.

Against all odds, and much to the dismay of the neighbor next door, Winslow makes it, grows to be a loud and bellowing donkey. There is so much life to him that even Nora, Louie’s classmate who has shunned the pair because she’s already felt grievous loss in her own life, has to admit that maaaaybe a loving bond might be worth it.

But laws are laws, and ya can’t have a farm animal within the city limits. What is Louie to do? Winslow is his Miracle Donkey; Winslow is his friend.

Though I’ve already pooh-poohed the book as not being stellar for adults, I think we all can find worth in the story. Because Louie learns a lot about Life, a lot about Nature, and his choices? Well, I’ll leave those for you to discover as I haaaate people who chuck in Spoilers all willy-nilly and all. Also, I think this’ll be a terrific book for kids (You know: Like the Publisher suggests!). Nora’s fear of love and attachment, Louie’s fears for Winslow and for his brother in a war zone (And tell me if you DON’T get the heebie-jeebies every time brother Gus writes the family a letter!), and Louie’s uncle being a loving yet realistic man bring all sorts of richness to the story.

A marvelous book to teach younguns about fear and loss and letting go. And even a bit about grief. And oh yeah! Even a bit about death!

What youngster doesn’t need to learn about THAT?! Ask Louie’s friend, Nora. It hurts to love.