Scholastic to publish third book in Wonky Donkey series

Scholastic has acquired world rights to the third in the Wonky Donkey children’s series by Craig Smith and illustrated by Katz Cowley. 

World rights were acquired by Scholastic New Zealand from Craig Smith, and Felicity Trew at the Caroline Sheldon Literacy Agency, who was representing the illustator. The Grinny Granny Donkey will be published simultaneously in New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada and the UK in early November 2020.  

Original published in 2009, The Wonky Donkey became an international bestseller in 2018 after a Scottish grandmother reading the book to her grandson became a “viral sensation.” According to Scholastic, since the video went viral nearly half a million copies of The Wonky Donkey have been sold in the UK. The sequel The Dinky Donkey was published shortly after in November 2019. Now, a third installment pays homage to the granny that took the series viral. 

Smith said: “I’m excited to present The Grinny Granny Donkey—a fun tribute to all the giggling grannies out there who love their families, love to read to their grandchildren, and miss them dearly when they’re not around.”

Crowley added: “This quirky and quaint Granny has her family values embedded at the very heart of all that she is. She is a please to bring to life in honour of Wonky’s very own guardian ‘Scottish Granny’!”

Lynette Evans, Scholastic NZ publisher, said: “We are delighted that Craig and Katz have created this lovable, sweet and very funny granny donkey to form a Wonky-Dinky-Granny family circle and we can’t wait to bring this next dose of launghter and read-aloud fin to the world.” 

In the UK through TCM, The Wonky Donkey has sold 486,284 copies to date, and The Dinky Donkey a further 125,406. The Wonky Donkey was 2019’s bestselling picture book.