The book, which will be released on October 1, is his seventh book and fourth collaboration with Wanaka illustrator Scott Tulloch.
The book’s story and lyrics were refined through Smith’s unique approach to market research.
‘‘I always take them on the road and test them with the kids.’’
The funniest answer so far to the question ‘‘What’s the scariest thing in your garden?’’ had come from a boy at one gig who replied: ‘‘Donald Trump!’’.
Unlike his previous book and song CD, Eating, which he published himself through a crowdfunding campaign, the new title is being published by Scholastic.
Smith will begin a four-month national tour at the end of the month to support the book release, beginning in Otago and Southland.
He has sold more than a million books since the award-winning The Wonky Donkey came out in 2009.
All his titles were selling well in Asia after releases in China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore last year, he said. He plans to promote his work in Japan and Thailand next year.
