Quaky Cat Raises $100,000 for Christchurch

You just never know the potential of books you have designed ...

From Scholastic NZ, 3 May 2011

Scholastic announces that Quaky Cat, the children’s picture book created in the aftermath of the September 4 Christchurch earthquake, has now raised $100,000 for Christchurch.

Written by Diana Noonan and illustrated by Gavin Bishop, Quaky Cat has brought comfort to Christchurch children and their families since its publication in December 2010. No one involved with the book's production could ever have envisaged that, less than six months later, Christchurch would be struck again, this time by an even more devastating earthquake.

Proceeds from sales of Quaky Cat, including all of Noonan and Bishop’s royalties, are being donated to the Christchurch Women’s Refuge ($25,000) and Te Tai Tamariki Children’s Literature Trust ($25,000) with Scholastic’s contribution ($50,000) going to the Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Appeal. 15,000 copies of the book were gifted by Scholastic to year 1 and 2 children in the Christchurch region.

Quaky Cat has consistently appeared in the NZ Top 10 bestseller list, alongside books by authors such as Jodi Picoult and Nigel Latta, and is also being sold by Scholastic worldwide, with funds continuing to be donated to Christchurch.

In the words of Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, Quaky Cat  ‘is a book our very brave children (and adults) will treasure.’

Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and a leader in educational technology, creating quality products and services that educate, entertain and motivate children that are distributed through a variety of channels including retail stores, school book clubs, book fairs and libraries. www.scholastic.co.nz

For further information contact: Diana Murray, Publishing Manager, Scholastic NZ dmurray@scholastic.co.nz


Here's some images and more from Quaky Cat's book launch.