Dean O'Brien topped the United Kingdom iTunes children's chart this week with an album created to make children feel good about themselves.
He is the first New Zealander to reach No 1 on the children's music charts in Britain.
The 34-year-old former-radio presenter developed his ''Mr Yipadee'' character to promote positive thinking and self-belief in pre-schoolers after being made redundant from his job last May.
Sales and pre-orders for his Mr Yipadee - Yes I Can Club album exceeded the best-selling Now That's What I Call Disney! compilations on the Apple-owned iTunes digital media website this week.
Mr O'Brien said he hoped to perform a series of free concerts in New Zealand this year ''dedicated to the parents and kids that have also hit upon tough times''.
