Despite the quirky mental picture, almost every child in New Zealand knows the Wonky Donkey is a "spunky, hanky panky, cranky, stinky dinky, lanky, honkey tonkey, winky, wonky donkey", and they just love him.
He is the brainchild of former Central Otago singer-songwriter Craig Smith, now of Christchurch.
In November 2008, his song was turned into a children's book which has now been selected as one of 25 finalists in the New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards. It has illustrations by Katz Cowley.
Although Mr Smith did not read The Wonky Donkey book, he did give a sneak preview of his next book in the series, Willbee the Bumblebee, which is also one of his songs. The book is due to be released in October.
The Wonky Donkey song won the 2008 Apra Children's Song of the Year Award, and since it was turned into a book, it has been a major success, reaching No 1 on the Booksellers New Zealand bestseller list for more than 18 weeks.
Mr Smith first picked up the guitar when he was 12 and initially learned to play the tunes by artists whose music he grew up with such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan and various blues artists.
The folk, basic rock and blues background still influences his original music today.
Mr Smith said he started writing and performing music for children because there was nothing bridging the gap between nursery rhymes and teenage music.
Mr Smith will continue his tour today by performing to children at the Balclutha Public Library.
The New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards will be announced in Auckland next Wednesday.
