NZ Publishing Sensation Has Hit Bookshelves

From: Scholastic New Zealand Limited

For immediate release

Another New Zealand Publishing Sensation Has Hit Bookshelves

Willbee the Bumblebee, the second children’s book and song by the creators of the phenomenon The Wonky Donkey, has gone straight to the top of the bestseller lists following its release last week.

The buzz of anticipation around the publication of Willbee the Bumblebee, with singer and writer Craig Smith’s catchy song complemented by Katz Cowley’s cheeky illustrations, was feverish leading up to its release, with major retailers placing large orders with Scholastic.

On the first anniversary of the release of The Wonky Donkey, this is the first book published in New Zealand to knock the cranky, one-eyed, three-legged donkey from the number one spot for nearly a year.

Now with over 250,000 copies in print worldwide, The Wonky Donkey won the 2010 NZ Post Children’s Choice and Nielsen Booksellers’ Choice awards, is a platinum bestseller in New Zealand and is currently the number 1 bestselling children’s book in Australia.

Smith, who describes himself as “more of a wobble than a wiggle” says he “firmly believes that the marriage of song, words and illustrations helps children learn to read. Kids love the rhythm and rhyme of The Wonky Donkey.”

Scholastic has also released The Wonky Donkey with a plush toy in a boxed gift set, and as an application for the Apple iPad.

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