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Ode to Icky
For ages 3-9.. . What do you do when your cat is so disgusting and stinky that you can't stand to be within 15 feet of him? If you are like Icky's owner, Candy, you find a way to make it work for you But as Candy soon finds out, sometimes our best ideas can also be our worst
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2011
7 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Maranda Russell
26 books66 followersHi! I am an award-winning artist, author, poet, book reviewer, and blogger. I have been given several awards and honors for my writings and artwork. I spend most of my time reading, writing, drawing, watching cartoons, hanging out with my family, playing with my cats, enjoying nature, browsing local bookstores and doing other fun, nerdy stuff.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 20, 2012
Maranda Russell has written a funny, colorful story, illustrated by the animated pictures by Nicolas Peruzzo. Children will enjoy the funny storyline of “Ode to Icky” as they watch the progression of the story in the illustrations and plot.
Candy has a very lazy cat she named Icky who only thought of eating and sleeping and would not clean himself until he smelled so bad that the dog even stayed away from him.
When Candy’s sister gets some new perfume from France that purportedly smelled like Icky, an idea of how to make some money comes to Candy. She makes some perfume from Icky’s hair and sells it at school. What happens next at school with her classmates and at home with her parents is predictable, but also holds a surprise.
Children will laugh as they read this book, not only for the storyline, but also for the surprise ending that is so typical of “young entrepreneurs”.
“As Kayla stomped out of the room, Candy got a brilliant idea. In fact, she was so excited she turned off the TV and went into the kitchen to find an empty glass jar.”
Ms. Russell’s first picture book, Ode to Icky is written for 3-8 year olds, but parents will also enjoy it as they laugh along with their children. The moral is not spelled out, but is left for the children to work out for themselves. Parents and teachers can have lively discussions about the consequences of their actions.
Maranda Russell is a foster parent, book reviewer and children’s writer. She spends most of her time reading, writing, hanging out with her family, playing with her 5 cats and giving author talks and presentations at schools, stores, and community events around the Dayton, Ohio area. She also likes to dance, hike, visit art museums and browse local bookstores. Check out Maranda’s website: www.marandarussell.com.
Candy has a very lazy cat she named Icky who only thought of eating and sleeping and would not clean himself until he smelled so bad that the dog even stayed away from him.
When Candy’s sister gets some new perfume from France that purportedly smelled like Icky, an idea of how to make some money comes to Candy. She makes some perfume from Icky’s hair and sells it at school. What happens next at school with her classmates and at home with her parents is predictable, but also holds a surprise.
Children will laugh as they read this book, not only for the storyline, but also for the surprise ending that is so typical of “young entrepreneurs”.
“As Kayla stomped out of the room, Candy got a brilliant idea. In fact, she was so excited she turned off the TV and went into the kitchen to find an empty glass jar.”
Ms. Russell’s first picture book, Ode to Icky is written for 3-8 year olds, but parents will also enjoy it as they laugh along with their children. The moral is not spelled out, but is left for the children to work out for themselves. Parents and teachers can have lively discussions about the consequences of their actions.
Maranda Russell is a foster parent, book reviewer and children’s writer. She spends most of her time reading, writing, hanging out with her family, playing with her 5 cats and giving author talks and presentations at schools, stores, and community events around the Dayton, Ohio area. She also likes to dance, hike, visit art museums and browse local bookstores. Check out Maranda’s website: www.marandarussell.com.
November 26, 2012
What a COOL book Ode to Icky is.... giggle giggle giggle.
This book is super funny and always makes me laugh and laugh. It is written by a fellow Mirror Publishing Author, Maranda Russell. Maranda has combined a wonderful sense of humor with her love of cats, even stinky cats, to make this adorable book.
I suggest you read this book with one hand holding your nose closed. Maranda brings out the smelly flavor straight to your nose. PEW!
Forget those boring books Mom and Dad, laugh your way into teaching you young ones the true joy of reading with Ode to Icky.
I have read this book on my Storytime With Starfish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dhQzT...
And here is what the Author has said...
http://marandarussell.com/2012/04/11/...
This book is super funny and always makes me laugh and laugh. It is written by a fellow Mirror Publishing Author, Maranda Russell. Maranda has combined a wonderful sense of humor with her love of cats, even stinky cats, to make this adorable book.
I suggest you read this book with one hand holding your nose closed. Maranda brings out the smelly flavor straight to your nose. PEW!
Forget those boring books Mom and Dad, laugh your way into teaching you young ones the true joy of reading with Ode to Icky.
I have read this book on my Storytime With Starfish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dhQzT...
And here is what the Author has said...
http://marandarussell.com/2012/04/11/...
March 14, 2014
Poor Icky
Poor Icky
I think it's a good children's book for older readers, but not young children. The people in the story seem mean and the ending is not a happy one. the ending is ironic and older readers may find it funny. but the treatment of Icky made me feel bad. the illustrations are great, but the formatting is messed up. the text is jumbled together in places and text and pictures can't be viewed together.
Poor Icky
I think it's a good children's book for older readers, but not young children. The people in the story seem mean and the ending is not a happy one. the ending is ironic and older readers may find it funny. but the treatment of Icky made me feel bad. the illustrations are great, but the formatting is messed up. the text is jumbled together in places and text and pictures can't be viewed together.
October 29, 2016
WOW! What an unusual story this was and funny too!
I liked this story and it's beautiful illustrations in it, too!
I did find one error! bulled instead of very likely meant to say pulled open the door. Though I still wish to recommend this for five stars and for kids perhaps ages 7-11. I received this ebook for free using KU and now in return, here is my honest review , Great job Maranda! By Angela
I liked this story and it's beautiful illustrations in it, too!
I did find one error! bulled instead of very likely meant to say pulled open the door. Though I still wish to recommend this for five stars and for kids perhaps ages 7-11. I received this ebook for free using KU and now in return, here is my honest review , Great job Maranda! By Angela
July 12, 2017
This is a cute book about a very dirty, smelly cat named Icky. One of the members of his people family thought she had discovered how to make money from the calamity of his stink by bottling and selling his hair mixed into water to unsuspecting teens who thought they were buying the latest perfume from France. She did make some money, however the consequences of her actions had to be dealt with. There is a lesson here! However, I was disappointed by the ending.
July 24, 2013
This is the story about a very enterprising young girl who uses her smelly cat as the star in her new business endeavor. However, things don't always work out as planned...
July 29, 2019
With great illustrations, a clever plot, and a smelly cat, you really can't go wrong with this book!
October 21, 2011
Ode to Icky, by Maranda Russell is the story of Icky, the Cat and her owner, Candy. Candy is up to another of her money-making schemes and Icky is going to help her. The idea is courtesy of Candy’s older sister Kayla and her brand new “Icky” smelling perfume.
Icky has been relegated to the backyard because he refuses to bathe. So Candy sees an opportunity and decides she can make a few extra bucks by making her own perfume using some of Icky’s stinky fur. Mixing the fur with water and using a few of her mom’s half empty perfume bottles, Candy creates Ode de Icky…or rather Ode de Iche because the former name didn’t sound fancy enough.
Candy sells the perfume the next day, makes some quick cash, but then has to live with the “stinky” consequences.
This is a wonderful story that teaches children the concept “for every action, there is a reaction or consequence.” Some good and some are not so good. In the case of Candy, the reaction is her mother’s anger for dumping out her expensive perfume and the confiscation of the money Candy received from selling the homemade perfume.
Beautifully illustrated, this is a great book that shows how important it is to think things through before doing something. Not all ideas are good ideas, and Candy had to find out the hard way just how bad an idea it was to sell fake perfume that smells like her stinky cat, Icky. I highly recommend adding this book to family libraries and K-4 schoolrooms.
Icky has been relegated to the backyard because he refuses to bathe. So Candy sees an opportunity and decides she can make a few extra bucks by making her own perfume using some of Icky’s stinky fur. Mixing the fur with water and using a few of her mom’s half empty perfume bottles, Candy creates Ode de Icky…or rather Ode de Iche because the former name didn’t sound fancy enough.
Candy sells the perfume the next day, makes some quick cash, but then has to live with the “stinky” consequences.
This is a wonderful story that teaches children the concept “for every action, there is a reaction or consequence.” Some good and some are not so good. In the case of Candy, the reaction is her mother’s anger for dumping out her expensive perfume and the confiscation of the money Candy received from selling the homemade perfume.
Beautifully illustrated, this is a great book that shows how important it is to think things through before doing something. Not all ideas are good ideas, and Candy had to find out the hard way just how bad an idea it was to sell fake perfume that smells like her stinky cat, Icky. I highly recommend adding this book to family libraries and K-4 schoolrooms.
October 30, 2012
Ode to Icky is a well-constructed story about a creative and resourceful little girl and her ‘banished to the backyard’ cat, who is, to say the very least, somewhat lax about his personal hygiene.
Candy, the little girl, inspired after smelling the newly purchased perfume of an older sibling, comes up with a money-spinning plan to utilise the disgusting Icky’s odour by turning it into ready cash. Sneaking up on Icky to put the plan into action is the simplest part, due to the fact that the cat is so lazy, all he does is eat and sleep all day. The rest takes a bit more imagination.
The wonderful illustrations, placed on every page, can almost tell the story by themselves, which is good for small children unable to read yet. Though I am quite sure many parents WILL be reading this to their children. So either way, the story will be delighted in by all.
Maranda Russell’s tale of Ode to Icky is sweet and funny, and will no doubtless be enjoyed by many a young child. Thoroughly enjoyable!
Candy, the little girl, inspired after smelling the newly purchased perfume of an older sibling, comes up with a money-spinning plan to utilise the disgusting Icky’s odour by turning it into ready cash. Sneaking up on Icky to put the plan into action is the simplest part, due to the fact that the cat is so lazy, all he does is eat and sleep all day. The rest takes a bit more imagination.
The wonderful illustrations, placed on every page, can almost tell the story by themselves, which is good for small children unable to read yet. Though I am quite sure many parents WILL be reading this to their children. So either way, the story will be delighted in by all.
Maranda Russell’s tale of Ode to Icky is sweet and funny, and will no doubtless be enjoyed by many a young child. Thoroughly enjoyable!
October 21, 2011
Ode to Icky
By Maranda Russell
Ode to Icky is a cute and funny story about a family's stinky cat named, Icky. Icky's owner Candy decides to make something productive and useful out of the stinky stench that comes from Icky. This product however causes quite a commotion and allot of excitement at her school.
I don't want to say too much as it will ruin the story however I will say that I enjoyed Ode to Icky very much but found myself wanting to read more. (And, that's a good thing!) I wanted to read more about the product Candy made and see a few more antics along the way.
Icky may have been a stinky cat but Ode to Icky is NOT stinky at all. Children ages 4 to 9 will enjoy this zany story. The illustrations done by Nicolas Peruzzo are colorful, creative and adorable. They help make the story fun and entertaining.
Reviewed By Children's Book Zone
By Maranda Russell
Ode to Icky is a cute and funny story about a family's stinky cat named, Icky. Icky's owner Candy decides to make something productive and useful out of the stinky stench that comes from Icky. This product however causes quite a commotion and allot of excitement at her school.
I don't want to say too much as it will ruin the story however I will say that I enjoyed Ode to Icky very much but found myself wanting to read more. (And, that's a good thing!) I wanted to read more about the product Candy made and see a few more antics along the way.
Icky may have been a stinky cat but Ode to Icky is NOT stinky at all. Children ages 4 to 9 will enjoy this zany story. The illustrations done by Nicolas Peruzzo are colorful, creative and adorable. They help make the story fun and entertaining.
Reviewed By Children's Book Zone
March 12, 2012
A cute and imaginative tale by the very talented Ms. Maranda Russell. The story is about a young girl, named Candy, with a very lazy smelly cat, named Icky. Candy has an imaginative money making scheme and uses Icky's awful smelling fur to create a 'super French perfume. Ode De Iche". Unfortunately, to bottle this stuff she empties out her mothers bottles of REAL French perfume. Well, in addition to the entire female population of the school smelling like Icky, Candy has to face her mother with the truth of her actions. Imagine having an expensive bottle of perfume from France, imagine having your kid empty it out and use the bottle. What would you do? This is a story about leaning a lesson. A great story for parents to read to their children. The kids will learn, but laugh while learning.
October 19, 2011
Ode to Icky is an funny story about a young girl named Candy who thinks of a unique idea on how to earn money from her stinky cat named Icky. Unfortunately for Candy, she soon realizes that her idea is not all that she envisioned it to be and learns the valuable lesson that every action is accompanied by a consequence. Filled with adorable illustrations, this book is an enjoyable read that's sure to capture your child's interest and keep them entertained. I would definitely recommend adding this book to your home/school library. - I give this book **5**Bob Beetle Munches
Phyllis Griggs
Founder/President Bob Beetle Book Bug, Inc.
Phyllis Griggs
Founder/President Bob Beetle Book Bug, Inc.
October 17, 2011
"Ode to Icky" is cute and funny story about a girl, named Candy, who loves her lazy, smelly cat. Unfortunately he is so stinky that he can't live in the house. Candy is an imaginative girl that loves coming up with different schemes. Unfortunately the newest one is not all its cracked up to be. This story gently shows us that there are consequences for behavior. You and your children will love this original story and the cool illustrations.
*A free copy of this book was given to me for a honest review. No other compensation was provided for this review.
*A free copy of this book was given to me for a honest review. No other compensation was provided for this review.
August 13, 2016
Ode to Icky is a well written, funny story of a girl and her stinky cat with amazing illustrations that bring the story to life right before your very eyes. I read with interest, wondering what the outcome of Candy's perfume experiment would be. The only flaw I found with this book was that the ending left me wondering what Candy felt or learned from the incident. All in all a good read which I would recommend for children four to eight.
August 18, 2014
Lots of words for the older kids to read but the plot is pretty silly. Why do we want to follow along with the idea of a girl making perfume from a stinking cat and then selling it to friends for a profit? For me, the story line wasn't very exciting and it ended abruptly without following up on the consequences of a poor choice. Overall, a bit disappointing.
April 7, 2016
Ode to Icky didn't really hit the mark for me. I did enjoy the illustrations and the basic premise of a young child who develops her entrepreneurial skills in attempting to create a perfume, but I don't think it would hold the interest of many children. I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
April 24, 2012
What a neat book, good for a giggle, "eww" and d'oh! from any kid or kid-at-heart.
December 2, 2015
A charming book about a frustrated 'middle-grader' who's a combination of 'issues' and cleverness. I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews