Eek, You Reek!: Poems about Animals That Stink, Stank, Stunk

by Heidi E.Y. Stemple, Eugenia Nobati (Contributor)

Eek, you reek,
You make a funk.
Where you have been
Things stink, stank, stunk.

You've left a path,
A swath of smell,
And―yuck!
You did it very well.

Readers will be delighted by the malodorous melodies of poems calling out the different pungent attributes of a full cast of foul-smelling creatures.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction, Humor, Childrens, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Heidi didn’t want to be a writer when she grew up. In fact, after she graduated from college, she became a probation officer in Florida. It wasn’t until she was 28 years old that she gave in and joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published 20 books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.
Heidi lives and writes in Massachusetts on a big old farm with two houses.

Reviews

[Anna W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of children’s books that combine poetry or other literary devices with scientific information. Students can not only learn about artistic opportunities, but learn interesting factoids about animals they perhaps have not read about.

This book is no exception and each page offers information, vocabulary words, and interesting facts about a variety of animals. For instance, I’ve never looked into it but it turns out that a ferret and a weasel are in the same family, and turtles —among other animals— can emit a stinky aroma when in trouble.

Rhyming and different poetic formats are used throughout and the end offers further reading and definitions of some “stinky” words.

Recommended for advanced 2nd graders through grade 4.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids who are into gross and yucky things will love these poems about different animals that use vile smells to either defend themselves, keep their food for themselves, or attract a mate. The illustrations by Eugenia Nobati reminded me a bit of David Catrow's style of artwork. In addition to skunks, the poems address weasels, bombardier beetles, stinkbugs, hoatzin birds, musk oxen and more. At the back of the book, there is a paragraph of additional info for each of the animals, a glossary of "smelly words," and three books for further reading.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun for wordplay -- lots of shades of meaning for STINK!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a stinky book, filled with lots of smelly words, animals, and insects. There is something strangely lovely about a stinky animal that is given it's own poem. So I guess this book is a odorous ode to pungent and even repugnant creatures.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Educational, hilarious, and just plain gross! This is chock full of gorgeous illustrations and really well-done poetry that makes the little ones laugh out loud. Older kids will be able to make better use of the facts, and I think it's a wonderful language arts resource for discussing poetry. Children can count syllables in the haikus or measure rhyme and rhythm in the others.

My son isn't at the suggested age yet, but he laughed a lot and peppered me with stink questions afterward.

[Norkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you realize owls have no sense of smell and therefore don't mind eating skunks?! A playful book that had us learning and laughing!

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious poetry and expressive illustrations make this a must read aloud!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated (with humour) story about animals that stink. In fun rhyme the reader is introduced to interesting and amusing information.
Chapters:
Eek, You Reek!;
Stink Stank Skunk;
Who Dares Eat a Skunk?;
Bang Goes the Bombardier Beetle;
Eating Machine;
Stinky Ferret Family and Kin;
Three Tiny Stinkers: a Hat Trick of Haiku;
Tasmanian Temper Tantrum;
A Slow Turtle Stink;
Stinkbird;
What Eats a Hoatzin?;
Mad, Mean Wolverine;
Ox Appeal;
Eek, You Reek, Redux.

In the back of the book are pages with information and pictures -
Stinky Animals Stink for a Reason;
A Glossary of Smelly Words;
Even More Smelly Words.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Yolen provides plenty of scientific knowledge in this book of poetry about smelly animals. Each spread has at least one poem about an animal who uses foul odors for survival or mate attraction. The rhyths and words run the gamut from humorous to straight information.
The illustrations present realistic looking animals with hints of cartoon characters.
Would be a terrific class or library read - one poem a day or week - to introduce lessons on animal behavior.

[Laura Salas · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! Funny poems filled with facts; charming, mischievous art; and great backmatter, including an extensive glossary of stinky words. Ha! Here’s one of my favorite poems in the book:

Ox Appeal

He doesn’t worry
what you think
about his manly
oxen stink.

He doesn’t worry
how you feel
about his stanky
ox appeal.

The one he’s trying
to impress,
with fine fur coat
and grand largess,
is Madame Ox, who–
I confess–
loves his musky
oxen-ness.

–by Heidi Stemple, from Eek, You Reek! All rights reserved.

Seriously. Double points for using the work “stanky” so perfectly.

[Joan Arbogast · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are amazing! Bold colors and style; humorous to match poetry's humor. Poems range in form, rhythm, and rhyme. Some are short and punchy; others are clunky. But wonderful humor threads through every one. I love the introduction of odorous vocabulary. Great learning experience for kids. Lengthy back matter includes: Stinky animals Stink for a Reason or Rather for One of Three Reasons, A Glossary of Smelly Words, Even More Smelly Words, Further Foul-Scented Reading

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

After loving the "Yuck, You Suck!" collection, I discovered this title. Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple along with the fabulous illustrations by Eugenia Nobati make learning poetry and about "repugnant" animals fun for grade school age. Informational sections on each animal, why certain animals are adapted with the ability to emit strong smells and a glossary for young readers completes this wonderful picture book. Highly recommended!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keywords: alliteration,rhyme

Summary: The book EEK YOU REEK by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple is a guide to help readers know what animals are capable of smell. They are smelly for various reasons, and it is a must read to find out which animals are compelled to do this and why.

Prompt: This poetry values illustration and rhyme. It is a book that can help young readers learn new words.

[CR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute little story to get kids interested in poems. I think this one would work out best for boys as it deals with stinky topics. With cute creatures and colorful artwork this one is sure to get your kids wanting to start rhyming and writing their own poems. Its a laugh out loud time for the whole family!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing more fun than watching kids make faces while yelling "Ewwww!" when you read together. Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple have collected some pretty smelly poetry about creatures that stink in the book Eek, You Reek! Hilarious illustrations by Eugenia Nobati and fun facts about stinky animals round out this hysterical book for kids age 5 - 12.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun collection of animal poems from Jane Yolen. Kids will love the fun in the rhymes and in the illustrations. It’s no Jack Perlutsky, or Shel Silverstein, but it is a quick read that will bring smiles and laughter to kids.

[Maria Ordish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and fun. My son loves this book! The illustrations are just as brilliant. Let's put it this way...during a sleepover...the kids were taking turns reading the poems AT THE DINNER TABLE. That's a 5 star review. Awesome Backmatter. Love your Backmatter....

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some poems are better than others. I did learn some interesting facts, like how owls eat skunks because they can't smell, how a stinkbug can cause vacuum smell problems for a long time, and a Tasmanian devil can have about 20 babies, but only feed about 4, so the survival rate is low.

[Donna Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful fun illustrations. Fun poems that the 4-10 year old crowd will enjoy. Fun facts in the back of the book that explain how and why "stinky animals stink for a reason." Also included are a glossary of smelly words and further foul-scented reading. How fun!

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would read anything (anything!) by Jane Yolen. This book is ideal for literacy work with poetry and is sure to ignite passion for verse among young readers.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Yolen poems! Artwork is good and fits the humorous tone. But I also wish just a little that they’d been photographs...

[Mallory Hargett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book that could expose students to poems and rhythms.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series of poems featuring animals that protect themselves with foul odors. Back matter gives the reader more information about each animal.

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! I seriously laughed out loud several times, including when I read the GLOSSARY! If you have kids who think poetry is boring, get them this book pronto!

[Christine Turner]

HCPL Juv Nonfiction 591.47 Yol

Readers will be delighted by the malodorous melodies of poems calling out the different pungent attributes of a full cast of foul-smelling creatures.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun poems about an assortment of pungent creatures, including skunks, Tasmanian devils, turtles, wolverines and more. Add it to your National Poetry Month read aloud collection at school or at home.

[Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

A HUGE hit with our two-year-old. And the poetry is delightful.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does not stink, it is marvelous!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational about stinky animals.