A Visit From Author, Craig Smith

It is not every day a famous New Zealand songwriter and author comes to visit Preschool, so there was much excitement on the day when ‘Wonky Donkey’ award winning author, Craig Smith arrived! The 3 and 4 year olds, along with the Year 0-2 children from the Boys’ and Girls’ Schoo, loved listening to Craig read his rhyme and song stories in the Hall.

Craig performed all of his children’s books starting with his newly released ‘Square Eyes.’ The children enjoyed joining in on the actions and got fully involved with singing along – understanding that if they sit too long watching a screen  -TV, computers or iPads - they will get square eyes like the panda in his latest book!

‘Kaha the Kea’ saw the arrival of a very large Kea from the South Island who danced and high fived the children (and adults) – much to the delight of the children – although we are not sure where our Director of Preschool, Sue Nash was at that time? Was she the Kea? 

‘My Daddy ate an Apple’ saw much giggling from the children as the daddy zebra ate an apple with a green worm inside - and all the issues he had before…it came out!

Many hilarious Craig Smith songs were included in the show before the all-time favourite, ‘The Wonky Donkey’ which set Craig Smith on his path to fame and saw all the children and adults singing along with some fabulous hee hawing!

Following the show, Craig came back to Preschool to have some photos with the children in our very own ‘Craig Smith’ room full of fabulous art the children had made of all his song characters. Craig and his partner, Margaret loved it so much that they asked  us to send the large Wonky Donkey, Kaha, Zebra and Panda to them in Queenstown when we take it down – for them to display in their new (soon to arrive) baby’s nursery!