That Stinks!: A Punny Show-and-Tell

by Alan Katz, Stephen Gilpin (Illustrations)

From humorist Alan Katz and illustrator Stephen Gilpin comes a very punny picture book about a series of show-and-tell misunderstandings.When the teacher says it’s too rainy to go outside for recess and the kids must stay inside for show and tell, she gets an unexpected “That stinks!” exclaims Jimmy. The class gasps—but then it turns out Jimmy has brought a skunk for show and tell! “Aw, nuts!” says Susie. She’s brought pecans, almonds, and walnuts. Yum! Kids will love shouting these exclamations and more along with the characters in this brand-new picture book from comedy writer Alan Katz, brought vividly to life with cartoonish illustrations by Stephen Gilpin.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Humor, School Stories, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2016

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Stinks!: A Punny Show-and-Tell (Kindle Edition)
by Alan Katz
Found in a third grade class, a punny show and tell shows how children can use puns to connect various things that they had for show and tell.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just thinking that this is not going to go over well, parents are going to complain that this isn't appropriate, kids aren't going to understand the humor, and that kids don't really talk like this anyway--gave myself a mental shake and said, "Give it a chance."

By the end of the book, all my earlier reservations were fully confirmed, but then I got to the last page. What the what?! The principal took a bite of EVERYTHING?! (a skunk, a rotten banana, a tarantula, a light bulb, an electric circuit, some garbage, avocado pits, nuts, pencils, and Limburger cheese...EVERYTHING?) Ok, that crosses the line...and by crosses the line, I mean lack of good taste in what I just had to read in this whole book. *face palm*

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this before introducing it to my children. Because of the title, I wanted to be careful about the message it was conveying. However, the book was about Mrs. Mueller's class recess being canceled due to the weather outside. Mrs. Mueller then suggests to the class that they stay inside and have a show-and-tell.

The author crafted creative puns using each student's show-and-tell. I also loved the illustrations by Stephen Gilpin. The illustrations are cute and funny. I know the pictures will attract my children's eye and keep them fully engaged in the story.

[Jenny Larges · Rating 2 out of 5]

Summary/Classroom Integration: Mrs. Mueller's class has time for show-and-tell, which turns out being a fun and informative way to learn how our everyday slang may be at once misunderstood and in the next moment, be completely logical. I would consider sharing this with ELL students.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a good book to go with an Amelia Bedilia read aloud. The books is full of puns.


The illustrations are amazing! Great expression on the faces of these kids. You could also use this book for writing about how someone is feeling by describing their expression and stance.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s show and tell day at class and the kids all turn bad sentences into good ones. Example, That Stinks, yes it does when you are talking about a pet skunk. I get the idea behind the book, I just didn’t really care for it.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm. Not very funny.

[Nomad nimrod · Rating 1 out of 5]

it did stink.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not much of a story in this book, but if you have older kids who are learning about puns; this book has one series of puns after another.

It's also a very quick read.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A seriously silly book of what happens during indoor recess when puns are used as word play.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

From an adult standpoint, a clever and fun book that would probably work well with school-age kids but fell completely flat with my (kindergarten and younger) storytime crew.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of puns

[Kian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kian was a little young for this, I will have to read it again.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly sure what to think of this. It's a picture book, but it's NOT going to go over well with most kids that I know. They don't understand puns and most of these phrases are not said frequently. It's kind of funny how sarcastic the kids in the book are, but when you think about it as a picture book, I just don't think it works.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for School Library Journal, August 2016:
K-Gr 2: In this clever picture book, a school day goes from boring to absurd when recess is cancelled because of bad weather. It all begins innocently when the teacher suggests show-and-tell and one student shouts out, "That stinks!" to the horror of everyone. However, when the page is turned, the child innocently introduces his pet skunk Harry. Another kid, seemingly enraged, shouts, "This totally bites!" and then goes on to show everyone a tarantula. The stakes and laughs increase as the remaining students top one another with wordplay and puns. Each child who "shows and tells" is added to the montage of proud students holding their treasures, which include a rotten banana and smelly cheese. The tale culminates with the teacher reciting all of the outrageous utterances only to have the principal come in and steal the show. The illustrations portray a diverse group of children and objects and are digitally depicted in a cartoon style that matches the story's tone. VERDICT: This selection will have kids roaring as they quickly catch on and gleefully wait to see what is actually being described.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Alan Katz, funny and imaginative school action. In this book the students have a not so typical show and tell. On one side the kid presents his or her treasure, on the other the next kid says one word which leads up to his treasure on the next page. Brilliant, funny, and awesome pictures.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Terrific back to school book for kids! Funny book!!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vibrant illustrations pop off the page.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Painfully punny.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are we to believe that by the end of the book the principal has eaten part of a WEEK-OLD BANANA? Dude needs a visit with the school board. Or a psychiatrist. Time to retire, maybe?

[Marcie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to agree with Ed Sullivan, painfully punny. I usually love puns, but this was a little too over the top even for me.

[AnnieM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept, just not executed very good.

[Marissa Elera · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title says it all.

[Jenniffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

while it is a puny story i think one pun may have been a little to...much, "thats screwed up" was just a little too inappropriate for my taste

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that is a play on words.