25 September 2019
Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announces the worldwide release of The Dinky Donkey, a sequel to The Wonky Donkey, the internationally bestselling picture book phenomenon written by Craig Smith and illustrated by Katz Cowley. The Dinky Donkey will be published in New Zealand, Australia, and the U.K. on November 1, 2019 and in the U.S. and Canada on November 5, 2019.
Originally published in 2009, The Wonky Donkey has been a household name in New Zealand and Australia for almost a decade. Thanks to a 2018 video of Scottish grandmother Janice Clark reading The Wonky Donkey to her grandson, the infectious rhyming story became a viral sensation with more than 150+ million views globally, and an instant #1 international bestseller. With more than three million copies in print worldwide and one consecutive year on the USA Today bestseller list, fans of The Wonky Donkey everywhere have been eagerly anticipating the sequel.
The Dinky Donkey possesses the same irresistible, rambunctious spirit as her famous dad, and is a pint-sized package of cuteness set to deliver a huge dose of reading fun. Following the same formula that made its predecessor a worldwide hit, readers will roar with laughter at the antics of this blinky funky pinky winky-tinky dinky donkey!
“What we love about The Dinky Donkey is that this is not only a funny, clever, cumulative rhyming story featuring an adorable and spirited female character, but it is a story that says no matter how little you are, no matter where you’re from or how you look, you can be happy to be you!” said Scholastic NZ Publisher, Lynette Evans. “The demand for a sequel has been phenomenal and we couldn’t be prouder of Craig and Katz, as well as the design team at Smartwork Creative for bringing this new dose of laughter and love to the world.”
“You can't ask for a better endorsement of your creation than when the person reading your book is having a better time than the child being read to,” says author Craig Smith, a multi award-winning musician. “Janice’s infectious laughter was an absolute delight! We’re so proud of Wonky making people laugh and encouraging reading all over the world!”
Illustrator Katz Cowley adds, “Dinky is uniquely herself, as is her daddy, Wonky … with her pinky nose and her pinky toes, her punky hair and one wonky ear, she reminds us that it is okay to be not in perfect order, it’s being comfortably yourself that matters most!”
About the creators
Singer/songwriter Craig Smith is an itinerant musician and #1 bestselling author from Queenstown in New Zealand’s South Island, who performs around New Zealand and Australia. British-born Katz Cowley has a degree in Illustration from the University of Northumbria. A former resident of Christchurch, New Zealand, she now lives back in England.
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates and distributes quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12 and other products and services that support children's learning and literacy both in school and at home. With 14 international operations and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through schoolbased book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail and online. True to its mission of 98 years to encourage the personal and intellectual growth of all children beginning with literacy, the Company has earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families.