April 1, 2019--Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today announced the worldwide release of a sequel to The Wonky Donkey, the internationally bestselling picture book phenomenon by Craig Smith & Katz Cowley, The Dinky Donkey. The Dinky Donkey will be published simultaneously in New Zealand, Australia, the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. on November 1, 2019. World rights to The Dinky Donkey were acquired by Scholastic New Zealand, from Craig Smith and with Felicity Trew at the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency representing Katz Cowley.

Originally published in 2009, The Wonky Donkey has been a household name in New Zealand and Australia for almost a decade. Thanks to a viral video with more than 150+ million views globally since August 2018 of Scottish grandmother Janice Clark giggling and reading The Wonky Donkey to her grandson, the infectious rhyming story became a viral sensation and international #1 bestseller last year. Scholastic has since reprinted two million copies to meet global demand.

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 laugh-out-loud reading fun. Readers will be excited to learn why she’s a “blinky pinky winky-tinky funky dinky donkey.”

Scholastic NZ Publisher, Lynette Evans said, “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! The demand for a sequel has been phenomenal and we couldn’t be prouder of Craig and Katz as they bring this new dose of laughter and love to the world.”

Says author Craig Smith, an itinerant musician: “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. 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 school-based 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.

Learn more at:
www.scholastic.com
www.scholastic.co.uk
www.scholastic.com.au
www.scholastic.co.nz
www.scholastic.ca

Media Contacts:
NZ: Karen McKenzie | karen@lighthousepr.co.nz
AU: Sarah Hatton | sarah_hatton@scholastic.com.au
US: Tracy van Straaten | tvanstraaten@scholastic.com
UK: Rachel Partridge | rpartridge@scholastic.co.uk
CAN: Denise Anderson | danderson@scholastic.ca

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