Craig Smith The Wonky Donkey

Last updated: June 21, 2019


"The Wonky Donkey" by Craig Smith is sure to make readers of all ages laugh out loud. It is a captivating read, thanks to the funny sounds, repetitive rhythmic phrases and hilarious illustrations.

Craig Smith The Wonky Donkey

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Product Details

In our analysis of 99 expert reviews, the Craig Smith The Wonky Donkey placed 7th when we looked at the top 13 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

Craig Smith is the recipient of the 2008 APRA Children’s Song of the Year for The Wonky Donkey. When not writing, Craig works as a musician and entertainer. Visit him at craigsmith.co.nz. Katz Cowley is an illustrator and teacher who leads workshops in drawing, creative journaling, and self-expression.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

Look for ready guffaws from young audiences, whether read or sung
The Wonky Donkey is a delightful children's book that is a lot of fun to read with a child. Each page starts with the statement "I was walking down the road and I saw a donkey, HEE-HAW!" I put a lot of effort into making the funniest HEE-HAW sound that I could, just to put a smile on my little girl's face. She liked my hee-hawing and soon we were doing it together on every page as loudly and as silly as we could.
I first came across this story via a YouTube video of a Scottish gran, Janice Clark, reading the book amid gales of uncontrollable laughter to her slightly bemused baby grandson. Her uncontrollable delight in the language and humour of the story is so infectious that I found myself cackling along too. The warm tone of her Scottish brogue added magic to the story of a journey where we are walking the road and meeting with Wonky Donkey and discovering various aspects of his character in a riot of delightful cumulative wordplay.
I laughed so hard I CRIED. The Wonky Donkey has got to be one of the FUNNIEST books of any genre I have ever read. I could not stop laughing at this book. The story, the illustrations, the words. Everything about this book is just HILARIOUS! There is really not much else I can say in this review other than please, please, please, do yourself a favor and read this book. You will not regret it!
This a funny story that kids love reading, it’s also a song. The book comes with a CD that will really get the laughs going.

What reviewers didn't like

though those attuned to disability stereotypes may find themselves wincing instead or as well.
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