Craig Smith’s “The Wonky Donkey” is an exceptional picture book that turns a fun, quirky song into a delightful visual and lyrical journey for young readers. Originally crafted as a cumulative song, the book has gained acclaim for its infectious rhythm and playful use of language, providing both a literary and auditory treat when paired with its free musical recording available online.

At first glance, “The Wonky Donkey” is a simple encounter between the narrator and a three-legged donkey on the road. However, as the tale unfolds, each page adds a new, humorous trait to the donkey, transforming it into a multi-adjective character— from a “winky wonky donkey” to a “spunky hanky-panky cranky stinky-dinky lanky honky-tonky winky wonky donkey.” This cleverly conceived escalation not only showcases Smith’s adeptness at wordplay but also encourages young readers to engage with rhyming structures and adjective use, making it an enjoyable tool for learning through laughter.

The illustrations by Katz Cowley are essential to bringing this knee-slapping story to life. Through informal watercolors, Cowley presents a donkey that, despite its wonkiness, is full of spunk and charm. With a cheeky wink here and a joyous fart there, the donkey’s high-spirited antics are sure to draw giggles from its audience. These illustrations not only complement the text but enrich it, providing children and adults alike with visual humor that highlights the silliness of the song’s lyrics.

While “The Wonky Donkey” is undoubtedly set to become a crowd-pleaser during storytime, it does not come without its controversies. Some readers might find that the portrayal of disabilities—evidenced by the wonky donkey’s three legs and use of a prosthetic hoof—touches on disability stereotypes in a manner that could be seen as insensitive. This aspect warrants a mention as it has fostered discussions among educators and parents about the appropriateness of certain depictions in children’s literature.