Book excerpt: When Elston decides he doesn't want to be a rooster anymore, the Barnesyard animal friends learn the hard way what can go wrong when someone pretends to be something they're not. Convinced that the other animals dislike him because he wakes them up every morning, Elston decides he'd rather be a donkey. Although his pal Ernest steadfastly tries to convince him otherwise, Elston insists on hiding his beautiful feathers and doing everything he can to stifle his crow. Chaos soon occurs in the barnyard, however, when the animals fail to wake up in the morning and their daily routine is turned upside down. As the day unfolds, Elston gradually comes to appreciate that everyone is special just as they are. Inspired by real-life animals and events at the Barnesyard farm, this endearing tale teaches children about celebrating their differences and being themselves.