Sequelsย of any kind are notoriously difficult to pull off. The bigger the initial success – the harder the follow up.
So imagine the challenge for Queenstown singer/songwriter/author Craig Smith. He writes a children’s book called Wonky Donkey that sold 4 million copies – three million inย just one year. And evenย though it’s a great book, the springboard for sales was a piece of serendipity that would stretch even the most romantic of fiction writers – a simple video of a grandma in Scotland laughing uncontrollably while reading Wonkyย Donkey to her grandson Archer.
The new book – The Dinky Donkey – daughter of Wonky
For three weeks it was the best selling book of any genre in the world.
No pressure then for the new book that gets launchedย officially in Auckland next week. The Dinky Donkey. Dinky is the young daughter donkey to her Dad Wonky.
Except it looks as though theย publishing gods are still smiling on Craig Smith. The new book has managed to get to the top of the New Zealand A C Neilsen Top Ten list – pre-launch. That’s the power of success.
It’s a pattern that is likely to be repeated around the globe. The world loves a winner – and children inย particular love a good consistentย formula thatย delivers the goods without any big changes, frills or additions.
ย
Toย understand how this pre-publication success is even possible, here’s an example of the type of review that’s circulating already in the world of books.
“The Dinky Donkey by Craig Smith and Katz Cowley, published by Scholastic, is the much-anticipated sequel to the consistently #1 bestselling title and global chart-topper, The Wonky Donkey. The adorable Dinky 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 The Wonky Donkey a worldwide hit, readers will roar with laughter at the antics of this blinky funky pinky winky-tinky dinky donkey! And as reviewed by Kirkus, this book โshould be packaged with an oxygen supply, as it will incontestably elicit uncontrollable gales of giggles.”
Craig Smith in action – “All my stories are written to be sung.”
Crux spoke with Craig Smith today and asked if he was at all nervous about this second book launch – ten years after the first. He’s written a book a year for the past decade, but this is the firstย sequel to Wonky Donkey.
“No – not all. All my stories are written as songs and that means that I can test the story lines in advance – so I know this isย going to work.”
His publishers Scholastic share that very Kiwi confidence. They’reย printing 500,000 copies in advance – split across the US and Europe. Even by globalย publishing standards that is one hell of anย initial print run.
“I’ve stuck pretty much to the same formula” says Smith. “But Dinky Donkey has more of the cuteness factor. Itย would not have been right toย justย reproduce Wonky Donkey after all these years – things have to change and adapt.”
Asked whatย the significance this global success has toย Queenstown Craig Smith noted that he does get some very heartย warming local acknowledgement – but he was quick to say how much Alice Robinson’s overnightย skiing success in Austria means to the district.
Perhaps we need to learn how to celebrate success a bit more in this part of the world?ย Well done Mr Smith!
Listen to aย sample of Craig Smith’s Dinky Donkey music track.
Visit: Craig Smith’s website.
ย
