Sunny weather brought out the crowds to Tauranga waterfront yesterday to enjoy the company of Willbee the Bumble Bee, The Wonky Donkey and Kaha the Kea.

Author of prominent children's books The Wonky Donkey and Willbee the Bumble Bee, Craig Smith, presented his range of children songs to promote his latest book release - Kaha the Kea.

All books are released alongside a song composed by Craig.

Craig Smith is promoting his new book release – Kaha the Kea. Photo by: Zoe Hunter.

Performing on The Edgewater Fan stage at the southern end of Tauranga's waterfront, it was Craig's first time performing an outdoor event.

About 20 children listened to his music and participated in a puppet show, where Craig asked the children to wear a puppet version of Willbee the Bumble Bee and fly around the audience pretending to sting people.

Downtown Tauranga manager Kirby Weis says everyone knows how cheeky Kea's can be and the book tells of one cheeky Kea's mischievous ways.

'It's just great to get these sorts of things into the town. It's for the children.”

Tauranga Paper Plus owner Toby Tagg says Craig is renowned for The Wonky Donkey.

'It's the rhythm and rhyme to it that the kids can get involved in.

'The kids just think it's great because it's not the norm.”

Toby says Tauranga's new waterfront was an appropriate location to host Craig and his crew of cheeky fictional animals.

'We see this as a good area, which we need to introduce the families of Tauranga to.”

Tauranga mother Mig McMillan and her four-year-old daughter Brydie say Craig's books are funny and The Wonky Donkey book has earned its residence at play centre.

Brydie says she doesn't know what part of the book she likes best.

'I like all of it,” she says.

Mig has purchased the new book, Kaha the Kea, and says she will be buying plenty more.

'I just think it's really great. It's so New Zealandish.

'They would be great Christmas presents.”