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Stink #8
Stink and the Freaky Frog Freakout
Croak! Squeenk! Ribbet! After a close encounter with a mutant amphibian makes him freaky for frogs, water-shy Stink becomes a swimming success.
Stink may be super smart, and Stink may be uber clever, but he's been in the Polliwog swim class frog-ever and he still can't bear to put his face in the water. Why would he want a geyser up his nose, on purpose? But then something weird happens: Stink starts to see frogs everywhere - in the locker room, in his boot, in the bathtub. And when a freaky blue frog licks his arm, his froggy senses start tingling! He has an urge to slurp up raisins (that look like flies). He can't wait to play in the rain and mud. He's a wiz at identifying frog calls. And he has become very interested in the local frog population. Could it be that Stink is turning into . . . the amazing Stink-Frog, fighter of slime? Pree-eep! Craw-awk!
Stink may be super smart, and Stink may be uber clever, but he's been in the Polliwog swim class frog-ever and he still can't bear to put his face in the water. Why would he want a geyser up his nose, on purpose? But then something weird happens: Stink starts to see frogs everywhere - in the locker room, in his boot, in the bathtub. And when a freaky blue frog licks his arm, his froggy senses start tingling! He has an urge to slurp up raisins (that look like flies). He can't wait to play in the rain and mud. He's a wiz at identifying frog calls. And he has become very interested in the local frog population. Could it be that Stink is turning into . . . the amazing Stink-Frog, fighter of slime? Pree-eep! Craw-awk!
160 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2013
186 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Megan McDonald
308 books744 followers"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."
Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."
More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.
Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 8, 2015
When I have read almost 30 books in series that are linked and I keep coming back for more you know they are good books. Especially when I have rated almost all of them 5 out of 5 stars. I read this one a while back but somehow forgot to review it. So I gave it a quick reread so I could write this review. The book was just as fun the second time through.
This book has a lot of information about frogs, if you were not freaky for them before reading the book, like Stink you might become freaky for them. Stink is struggling with his swimming but after a close encounter with a blue frog he feels some changes come over himself. Combine that with a trip to the nature center and Stink becomes even weirder than usual.
Another great read from McDonald and Reynolds. Other exciting news there is a new series out of shorter books in the Judy Moody and Friends series they should be an interesting edition to the Moody books.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Reynolds and McDonald.
December 29, 2016
I'm not sure if I would give this book 4 or 4.5 stars. My oldest son and I enjoyed listening to it. Although we started on book 8 it didnt seem to be a problem. We will definitely be getting the rest of the series.
December 6, 2017
My girls enjoyed this book and it was amusing at times. It's a great way to learn random facts about frogs; for example, there is a frog called the Pinocchio frog as well as another known as the Goliath frog.
June 7, 2024
This will be a winner with younger elementary aged kids who like funny books that also provide educational facts. The sub-story to the description provided by the publisher (Stink is licked by a blue frog that obviously must be radioactive, and begins to think he is turning into a frog) is about Stink (the younger brother of Judy Moody, with a series of books of her own) who becomes fascinated with frogs after finding one with only three legs. He wants to help frogs from getting mutations in the future by helping count frog species at the First Annual Frog Neck Lake Frog Count. He prepares by learning numerous frog calls. After participating, he is sorry to learn that only two and three specific types of chorus frogs were counted. Luckily, another frog count is planned, which gives Stink some time to educate his friends and neighbors about the hazards to frogs when using chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers. The narrator is very skilled at keeping the attention of children. She voices genders of all ages, differentiating between each, and adds lots of excitement to the text. An additional fun aspect of the book is the comics that Stink writes about his frog hero, Stink-Frog, Fighter of Slime. Although the listener can't see the comics, they are acted out, so it is easy to follow along. Also, there are a couple of quizzes included about frogs, which, again, is a fun addition to the story since kids can guess the correct answers. This audiobook clocks in at just over 2 hours and would be great on road trips. It may even inspire some young swimmers out there to swim like a frog. Highly recommended.
April 24, 2018
Stink is taking swimming lessons, but can't seem to advance from the polliwog to the frog level. While in the shower he notices a frog with only three legs. While visiting the nature center, he and his friends discover that many species of frogs, have been changed due to the over use of fertilizer, pesticides, and pollution in the water. This adventure teaches of the different frogs indigenous to the state of Virginia, and how they sound when they croak. Stink finally earns his frog legs in the pool.
June 16, 2025
Not the best of this series, it was a little odd. I think it tried too hard to be educational as far as various frog calls and mutant frogs appearing due to pesticide exposure. I didn't find it as cohesive a story as others we've read, but it does get a bit better by the end. Still, this might be one to skip if polliwogs and mutant frogs are not your thing.
March 8, 2021
I absolutely love this novel and grew up loving them. Rereading them now is super weird and you catch a lot more of the story line and theme of the story as well as details . Would recommend for a 2nd -5th grade classrooms .
January 31, 2022
I read this to my 8 year old. This was my first experience with any Judy Moody or adjacent book and it was fine. It's not an amazing work of art like a Dyanna Wynn Jones book is but it amused my daughter and we learned a few facts about frogs in the process.
November 21, 2017
Good book
July 14, 2018
Love it for my struggling third graders especially. Love the facts interjected, love the very real fear of swimming, love the humor. I want to bring this into my classroom!
September 6, 2018
my 4-year-old probably liked this book best of the Stink series!
September 24, 2018
As always, good early chapter book for new readers and a sprinkling of frog facts. The little quizzes about which frog were a nice interactive addition my 5 yr old really liked.
March 4, 2020
I thought it was great that you can use this book as a homeschooling resource about frogs. My thanks to the author for that!
January 28, 2021
I like when the frog is blue and then Stink turns into a frog when he gets bitten by that blue frog.
July 1, 2025
Frogs start showing up everywhere Stink goes, including waking him up in the morning! He learns to differentiate when various frogs croak. Very interesting read.
December 8, 2015
When I have read almost 30 books in series that are linked and I keep coming back for more you know they are good books. Especially when I have rated almost all of them 5 out of 5 stars. I read this one a while back but somehow forgot to review it. So I gave it a quick reread so I could write this review. The book was just as fun the second time through.
This book has a lot of information about frogs, if you were not freaky for them before reading the book, like Stink you might become freaky for them. Stink is struggling with his swimming but after a close encounter with a blue frog he feels some changes come over himself. Combine that with a trip to the nature center and Stink becomes even weirder than usual.
Another great read from McDonald and Reynolds. Other exciting news there is a new series out of shorter books in the Judy Moody and Friends series they should be an interesting edition to the Moody books.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Reynolds and McDonald.
Merged review:
When I have read almost 30 books in series that are linked and I keep coming back for more you know they are good books. Especially when I have rated almost all of them 5 out of 5 stars. I read this one a while back but somehow forgot to review it. So I gave it a quick reread so I could write this review. The book was just as fun the second time through.
This book has a lot of information about frogs, if you were not freaky for them before reading the book, like Stink you might become freaky for them. Stink is struggling with his swimming but after a close encounter with a blue frog he feels some changes come over himself. Combine that with a trip to the nature center and Stink becomes even weirder than usual.
Another great read from McDonald and Reynolds. Other exciting news there is a new series out of shorter books in the Judy Moody and Friends series they should be an interesting edition to the Moody books.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Reynolds and McDonald.
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October 15, 2013Title: Stink and the Freaky Frog Freakout
Author: Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Year: 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6140-3
Number of pages: 152
Price: $12.99
Format: Easy reader
Genre: Adventure, Humor
Audience (grades): K, 1, 2, 3 grades
Rating: Highly recommended, recommended, acceptable, marginal, not recommended
Review: “Who’s short and stinky, can’t swim. and is mutating into a frog?” Stink is back; this time, he is learning to swim and is afraid to put his head in the water. Afraid of a “nose wedgie”, Stink can’t get past the Polliwog swim level. Then the fun begins when Stink notices a three legged frog in the boy’s locker room. Next he finds a four legged frog in his boot outside his front door. And then another when he goes to the tub to rinse his muddy feet. He declares that “it’s raining frogs!”. All week long he continues to see frogs, and then while on a nature walk, he learns that the nature center has been getting calls from people seeing frogs. The nature guide tells him that this is probably because of building in the area and climate changes. The guide also shares some abnormal frogs in tanks at the nature center, probably the result of fertilizer, pesticides and pollution. Stink and his friends decide to learn about frog calls so they can help by participating in a local frog count intended to gather information about the situation. Stink wakes up the next morning to find a blue radioactive frog had come home from the frog count with him. The frog licks Stink and strange things begin to happen as Stink takes on frog-like characteristics. All ends well with his new frog powers when Stink is able to overcome his fears, and put his head in the water! With lots of frog jokes, several funny cartoons and illustrations and even three informative “Creature Feature” cartoons with frog facts, this 8th book in the Stink series is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers.
Author: Megan McDonald
Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Year: 2013
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6140-3
Number of pages: 152
Price: $12.99
Format: Easy reader
Genre: Adventure, Humor
Audience (grades): K, 1, 2, 3 grades
Rating: Highly recommended, recommended, acceptable, marginal, not recommended
Review: “Who’s short and stinky, can’t swim. and is mutating into a frog?” Stink is back; this time, he is learning to swim and is afraid to put his head in the water. Afraid of a “nose wedgie”, Stink can’t get past the Polliwog swim level. Then the fun begins when Stink notices a three legged frog in the boy’s locker room. Next he finds a four legged frog in his boot outside his front door. And then another when he goes to the tub to rinse his muddy feet. He declares that “it’s raining frogs!”. All week long he continues to see frogs, and then while on a nature walk, he learns that the nature center has been getting calls from people seeing frogs. The nature guide tells him that this is probably because of building in the area and climate changes. The guide also shares some abnormal frogs in tanks at the nature center, probably the result of fertilizer, pesticides and pollution. Stink and his friends decide to learn about frog calls so they can help by participating in a local frog count intended to gather information about the situation. Stink wakes up the next morning to find a blue radioactive frog had come home from the frog count with him. The frog licks Stink and strange things begin to happen as Stink takes on frog-like characteristics. All ends well with his new frog powers when Stink is able to overcome his fears, and put his head in the water! With lots of frog jokes, several funny cartoons and illustrations and even three informative “Creature Feature” cartoons with frog facts, this 8th book in the Stink series is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers.
June 2, 2013
My kids loved this book. There weren't a whole lot of pictures in this book, so I'd say for independent readers it's probably more for late second/early third grade. It was slightly more content than my seven year old wanted to read on his own, but both boys (7 and 4) sat for the whole story and talked about it for ages. My kids don't have the fantasy/realism figured out yet, so they do really believe that Stink was turning into a frog. Actually, I take that back. They're convinced that Stink really did get the characteristics of a frog (just like Spiderman). This book convinced my older son that he should get better at swimming. And my younger son took away that if Stink can learn to dunk his head, then so can he. I love that in each book Stink is able to overcome some issue or resolve some problem. Each one has convinced my kids that they can tackle something that has previously been scary. I'm sure this one will be read multiple times as each of my boys become more independent readers.
April 21, 2017
It seems like everywhere Stink goes, he finds frogs. Then one day he gets licked by a blue frog, and he's convinced he's turning into a true-blue frog man, just like Peter Parker turned into Spider Man. But even if that turns out not to be true, his new respect for frogs helps him overcome his fear of putting his head underwater, giving him courage to go to the next level in his swimming lessons.
Series Review | TpT Store | Pinterest
Series Review | TpT Store | Pinterest
November 24, 2013
Stink and the Freaky Frog Freakout by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds – Realistic Fiction – 3rd grade and up – Here’s the fantastic 8th book in the Stink book series. I enjoyed reading this book… as usual, there was fantastic little comic portions through the book and some really interesting facts that you can interact with- little fun quizzes and such. Personally, I enjoyed the subtle environmental message through this book in addition to the inquisitive, curious way Stink approaches anything that interests him, in this book, he was curious about frogs! Great book, have fun reading it!!
April 20, 2015
My sister and I are reading this with my first-grade nephew. In it, Stink Moody discovers a three-legged frog in the showers after a swim lesson. He becomes fascinated by frogs, so Dad takes him to a local nature center. Stink and friends learn about environmental threats to frogs, but the ecological message is subtle, and delivered with lots of kid humor. Includes comics that Stink draws about his amphibian alter ego, Stink Frog. Fun for readers in grades 1-3.
March 30, 2013
This book is a funny book. The main character is Stink. Stink is funny because he thinks the impossible things are real. In the book, Stink is a polliwog for swimming. He is obsessed with frogs, Stink finds many weird frogs. Then he acts like he is a frog and becomes a higher level in swimming. I think this is a great book for 7-8 year olds.
April 12, 2013
I knew when my daughter checked this out I would not like it, even though I normally love Megan McDonald books. The problem with this book is in the title: Frog. YUCK! I just don't like, and have never liked, the slimy little soulless bastards. If this book had been filled with any other critter facts I would have enjoyed it much more. The things a mother will do for their kiddo?
December 23, 2013
Stink fans will love this latest installment in the Stink series. Frog lovers will really enjoy it as well. I can see many readers looking for non fiction books on frogs as a follow up to this book. I enjoyed the way McDonald and Reynolds included short comics into the story. Young writers may find some inspiration here!
December 3, 2013
This was a fun book my children and I read together. My son LOVES frogs and of course enjoyed reading about another boy who loves frogs. We enjoyed learning about frogs and watching Stink overcome his fear of the water!
March 1, 2013
I haven't read a Stink book since I left the K -8 school I used to work at five years ago. Forgot what a funny little dude he is.
October 4, 2013
Fun read-aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews