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Wonky Donkey
The Wonky Donkey
The book behind the viral internet sensation of The Scottish Granny reading this story to her grandchild viewed over 3 million times - now in board book format perfect for the youngest of children. Based on the popular song The Wonky Donkey has sold over one million copies worldwide. Who ever heard of a spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey? This hilarious book will have children - and adults - braying with laughter!
24 pages, Board book
First published January 1, 2009
356 people are currently reading
4700 people want to read
About the author
Craig Smith
17 books29 followersAuthor and musician Craig Smith was born in Clyde, central Otago, in 1972. Shortly after, the family moved to Queenstown where he, his mother and five brothers and sisters grew up. He now lives in Christchurch.
As a child Craig remembers telling his mother, 'When I grow up, I'm going to become a musician.' Her answer was 'You can't do both!' and she was right. When writing songs for the adult arena, Craig couldn't escape his childish side and was soon writing songs for non-grown-ups.
In late 2007 he released his first kids’ album, Not Just for Kids. The first track from this album, 'Wonky Donkey', won the APRA New Zealand Children’s Song of the Year 2008. He turned this song into his first children’s book by teaming up with illustrator Katz Cowley. He is working on turning more of his kid’s songs into books with a CD of the songs included in the future.
Source: https://www.storylines.org.nz/Storyli...
As a child Craig remembers telling his mother, 'When I grow up, I'm going to become a musician.' Her answer was 'You can't do both!' and she was right. When writing songs for the adult arena, Craig couldn't escape his childish side and was soon writing songs for non-grown-ups.
In late 2007 he released his first kids’ album, Not Just for Kids. The first track from this album, 'Wonky Donkey', won the APRA New Zealand Children’s Song of the Year 2008. He turned this song into his first children’s book by teaming up with illustrator Katz Cowley. He is working on turning more of his kid’s songs into books with a CD of the songs included in the future.
Source: https://www.storylines.org.nz/Storyli...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,017 reviews
December 30, 2018
So I jumped on the bandwagon and got this for my boys after seeing the video of the hilarious Scottish granny reading it to her grandson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_co...
Just try saying "he was a stinky dinky lanky honky tonky winky wonky donkey" out loud. If that doesn't make you laugh, try saying it once more, but in a Scottish accent. I endeavor to always read this in a Scottish accent - which makes most things better, if you ask me - and so far it seems to be working. My 2 year old giggles when I read and then asks me to read it again! Well, technically he says "more honky donkey", but one can hardly blame him when his mother has suddenly taken on a Scottish brogue.
Hee haw!
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Just try saying "he was a stinky dinky lanky honky tonky winky wonky donkey" out loud. If that doesn't make you laugh, try saying it once more, but in a Scottish accent. I endeavor to always read this in a Scottish accent - which makes most things better, if you ask me - and so far it seems to be working. My 2 year old giggles when I read and then asks me to read it again! Well, technically he says "more honky donkey", but one can hardly blame him when his mother has suddenly taken on a Scottish brogue.
Hee haw!
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September 25, 2018
The Wonky Donky by Craig Smith is hilarious! It is also an internet sensation due to this grandmother reading it to her grandson....I was laughing so hard because she was laughing so hard!
Check it out here!
http://www.reshareworthy.com/granny-l...
Check it out here!
http://www.reshareworthy.com/granny-l...
September 6, 2018
The video of that grandma reading this book to her grandson is hilarious. Go watch if you haven't yet. :D
March 28, 2020
I've mainly been buying the book that I can recall from my childhood for my daughter, but having seen that hilarious YouTube video of the Scottish gran trying to read this - we had to add it to the collection.
It's such a fun tounge twister as the worlds flow wonderfully when read aloud.
Theres a certain re-readability with this one which adds to the appeal, reckon this will be read numerous times over the coming months.
It's such a fun tounge twister as the worlds flow wonderfully when read aloud.
Theres a certain re-readability with this one which adds to the appeal, reckon this will be read numerous times over the coming months.
July 20, 2022
Really hilarious and enjoyable book for children! Best when read out loud - highly recommend!
September 26, 2018
Try to read this out loud ! I watched a lady read it to a baby and she kept laughing which made me laugh so much. I loved it. I want a copy for future kids and one for my niece.
It’s a good time!
It’s a good time!
February 8, 2019
Looking for a book that'll instill a lifelong phobia about birds in your child? Then look no further than The Wonkey Donkey, which somehow manages to make fun of amputees, the visually impaired, and those with gastrointestinal disorders, all while offering up questionable word definitions and making fart jokes. Oh, and showing a bird plucking the donkey's eye out on the third spread. (Completely unnecessary. The first time we see the donkey, we only see him in profile. So he could've only had one eye; there's no reason we had to see the bird carrying the eyeball away!)
I just couldn't get past that part. I mean, I read the rest of the book, but I was distracted, thinking about how little kids could potentially develop a debilitating fear about birds swooping down and plucking out their eyes. The rest of the book did little to redeem itself. It offered up stupid, nonsensical definitions of words like "hanky-panky" and "spunky". The former is often used in a sexual context today, so I thought that was a bit weird. But "spunky" was way off; the book tells us that it means "quite good looking". Any dictionary I've ever seen defines that word quite differently.
The illustrations aren't terrible, style-wise. But I really question the wisdom of that one picture. In trying to be funny, the illustrator may have inadvertently caused a whole bunch of children to need therapy.
I don't get what all the fuss is about. Maybe it works as a song, but as a picture book, it really falls short.
I just couldn't get past that part. I mean, I read the rest of the book, but I was distracted, thinking about how little kids could potentially develop a debilitating fear about birds swooping down and plucking out their eyes. The rest of the book did little to redeem itself. It offered up stupid, nonsensical definitions of words like "hanky-panky" and "spunky". The former is often used in a sexual context today, so I thought that was a bit weird. But "spunky" was way off; the book tells us that it means "quite good looking". Any dictionary I've ever seen defines that word quite differently.
The illustrations aren't terrible, style-wise. But I really question the wisdom of that one picture. In trying to be funny, the illustrator may have inadvertently caused a whole bunch of children to need therapy.
I don't get what all the fuss is about. Maybe it works as a song, but as a picture book, it really falls short.
November 28, 2018
Oh dear. Let’s make fun of disabilities for the language play. I thought we’d moved on from this.
January 23, 2019
We love donkey stories but I'm afraid this one wasn't for us. Lots of people love this though.
August 3, 2023
I must confess I am at a loss to understand how 'The Wonky Donkey' became 'The laugh-out-loud, bestselling book that's a viral internet sensation!' It unfortunately did very little for me and did not excite me in the least.
It has unusual illustrations and the story is simple, using snappy rhyming words to describe the donkey's many defects, beginning with the fact that he has three legs and is thus a 'wonky donkey'.
The little bird that is following him takes up the story and at each turn adds one of the phrases to his description, for example one morning he gets up and does not have his coffee so 'cranky' is added to the descriptive list. And in the end he has eight characteristics attached to his name.
The donkey laughs all the way through, 'Hee Haw!', but sadly there were no Hee Haws for me. Perhaps read out loud to the children it might have some appeal and I imagine they might laugh at the descriptions, too.
It has unusual illustrations and the story is simple, using snappy rhyming words to describe the donkey's many defects, beginning with the fact that he has three legs and is thus a 'wonky donkey'.
The little bird that is following him takes up the story and at each turn adds one of the phrases to his description, for example one morning he gets up and does not have his coffee so 'cranky' is added to the descriptive list. And in the end he has eight characteristics attached to his name.
The donkey laughs all the way through, 'Hee Haw!', but sadly there were no Hee Haws for me. Perhaps read out loud to the children it might have some appeal and I imagine they might laugh at the descriptions, too.
March 25, 2013
What a creepy picture book! Definitely disliked!
April 27, 2021
Very creepy for a picture book! The donkey is called 'wonky' because he has only three legs, which is a bit insensitive. The little bird follows along behind him adding to the mixed up jumble of names, which would probably be the right pathway for a lesson on name calling if the donkey didn't laugh it off through the whole book. The bird plucking the donkey's eye out was weird and a little bit disturbing considering this is supposed to be a children's book. I thought this would be one of those tongue twister stories to get kids laughing, but I definitely won't be reading it to my class.
October 22, 2018
Since this book is so popular, I decided to bring it home to read to my girls. It was clever, but I was a little grossed out by the illustrations. I didn't end up reading this to my daughters because the donkey illustrations were creepy and a little crude. Reading this as an adult though, it was mildly funny.
March 7, 2017
Something about the bird snatching the donkey's eye out of his head turned me off.
January 13, 2019
ένα αστείο παιδικό βιβλίο που έγινε παγκοσμίως γνωστό πέρσυ από το YouTube της Scottish Granny (να το δείτε, σου φτιάχνει τη διάθεση 😂) ωραία εικονογράφηση, δύσκολα να αποδοθούν στα ελληνικα όλα αυτά τα ~ky αλλά εχει πλάκα 😁
June 7, 2020
Read as part of our grandma reads sessions.
The Wonky Donkey is really a song that rolls out as the pages are turned on this quick little book. I would have loved to know the tune so it could have been sung rather than read. . . .perhaps there's a YouTube?
Music is key, and a fondness for rhythm and rhyme required.
Story makes little sense, but all littles were highly satisfied, with requests for repeat reads in future.
Hence - 3 stars, bonus for illustration of what a donkey fart looks like. . . .that got lots of laughs.
The Wonky Donkey is really a song that rolls out as the pages are turned on this quick little book. I would have loved to know the tune so it could have been sung rather than read. . . .perhaps there's a YouTube?
Music is key, and a fondness for rhythm and rhyme required.
Story makes little sense, but all littles were highly satisfied, with requests for repeat reads in future.
Hence - 3 stars, bonus for illustration of what a donkey fart looks like. . . .that got lots of laughs.
June 13, 2020
This never gets old.
Brilliant book that is fun to read over and over. And even funnier to give to unsuspecting relatives to read to your children.
This is one of those books that is essential to all childrens book cases.
Brilliant book that is fun to read over and over. And even funnier to give to unsuspecting relatives to read to your children.
This is one of those books that is essential to all childrens book cases.
May 31, 2025
Have you ever wanted to read about a donkey that has a multitude of physical impairments? Have you ever wanted to see illustrations of a donkey farting? Look no further. This tongue twister provides laughter, inclusivity, and fun! Read this with your family for a night of unexpected twists and turns - you’ll never see what’s coming next.
April 18, 2020
Flula read this to me, that wonderful German man.
March 3, 2021
This was funny
Read
September 19, 2018This grandma reading the book is hilarious! https://www.facebook.com/boredpanda/v...
September 12, 2018
Fun, ridiculous rhymes that build on one another. Parents will enjoy reading it as much as children will enjoy hearing it. It will be one of those books that years later kids will remember with great fondness.
March 10, 2019
I got this because (1) I share my life with two donkeys (Willow and her son Tolstoy) and (2) this has been among the best-selling of all books on Amazon for quite a while so I figured there must be something to it since it's not a new book. But ... meh.
I'm not the intended audience so there's that. This is intended to be read aloud to a very small child, who I'm sure will laugh and snort every time "Hee haw!" is exclaimed. The book is written a bit like "The 12 Days of Christmas" where everything that goes before is repeated on each subsequent page with one phrase added. I didn't find it cute and, in fact, found the increasingly long description of the donkey to be cumbersome. And it didn't capture the vibe of real-life donkeys. The art was fine, but the image of the bird with the donkey's eye in his mouth was a little creepy.
Grade: C
I'm not the intended audience so there's that. This is intended to be read aloud to a very small child, who I'm sure will laugh and snort every time "Hee haw!" is exclaimed. The book is written a bit like "The 12 Days of Christmas" where everything that goes before is repeated on each subsequent page with one phrase added. I didn't find it cute and, in fact, found the increasingly long description of the donkey to be cumbersome. And it didn't capture the vibe of real-life donkeys. The art was fine, but the image of the bird with the donkey's eye in his mouth was a little creepy.
Grade: C
August 27, 2014
This is a book I never would've picked up on my own, so thank you, Linda P., for sticking this on my desk. No real plot to this one, just super-silly wordplay. Great for a readaloud. Scholastic says it has a downloadable song, but I couldn't find it.
Nevertheless, the goofy stretched-out descriptive list ("he was a cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey") will get giggles. The lack of commas makes me a little nutso, but I could see using this as a springboard for a silly phonics lesson.
Nevertheless, the goofy stretched-out descriptive list ("he was a cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey") will get giggles. The lack of commas makes me a little nutso, but I could see using this as a springboard for a silly phonics lesson.
August 3, 2019
I have always made a point of keeping it real. I had never heard about this book before a month ago. I came across it in my local Barnes & Noble. From the onset, the title grabbed my attention. I had to read it...
But, I must ask: What is the story really all about?
By the third page, the giggles started. Midway through I found myself laughing hysterically. By the end, I found myself wiping away tears of laughter.
I am truly looking forward to sharing this book with my students. I think they will get a kick out of it, especially when I accompany it with the music.But, I must ask: What is the story really all about?
August 24, 2019
Before purchasing this book for a child, you should know that the donkey is "wonky" because he has a prosthetic leg. And that's supposed to be hilarious. Don't instill ableism in your toddlers by teaching them to laugh at this book.
There are many many other amazing picture books with funny word-play. Books that don't mock vulnerable members of society.
There are many many other amazing picture books with funny word-play. Books that don't mock vulnerable members of society.
October 8, 2018
I have tried reading this book out loud without laughing, and so far, no luck.
March 25, 2019
Bizarre little 'partridge in a pear tree'-esque picture book about a very unusual and amusing donkey :D
February 19, 2021
HIlarious:) A lot had to do with the delightful Scottish Granny reading to her grandson of course and having such a laugh while doing so, but made it enjoyable then!
December 26, 2018
Very zany and crazy story. It doesn't make sense but it's a fun memory game for kids to read or sing aloud. Parents got it for 5 year old nephew for Christmas. He tossed it aside so I'm guessing the" (prosthetic leg). Kids who are "wonky" themselves will get a kick out of seeing this wonky donkey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,017 reviews