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Something Stinks!

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From the creator of the award-winning A Pig, a Fox, and a Box comes a silly picture book about a skunk looking for the source of a terrible smell!

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor-winning author-illustrator Jonathan Fenske's appealing illustration style and clever text make this intriguing book a must-have for every young reader's shelf.

In this delightfully funny picture book, an awful stink is invading the nostrils of its furry protagonist, a clueless skunk. Skunk is ready to sniff out the source of the stench, but where could it be coming from? Find out in this foul-smelling story--just be sure to hold your nose!

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 15, 2021

6 people are currently reading
41 people want to read

About the author

Jonathan Fenske

57 books37 followers
Jonathan Fenske is the author and illustrator of the leveled readers Woodward and McTwee, Love Is in the Air, Guppy Up!, and A Pig, a Fox, and a Box, which was a 2016 Geisel Honor book. He is also the author of two picture books, Barnacle Is Bored and its follow-up, Plankton Is Pushy. Jonathan lives in South Carolina with his family.

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5 stars
45 (17%)
4 stars
103 (40%)
3 stars
89 (34%)
2 stars
16 (6%)
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3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Bookishrealm.
3,290 reviews6,445 followers
May 18, 2021
If you know me then you know I absolutely love picture books that not only make me laugh, but are also super interactive. This book does both and I can't wait to get this into the hands of young readers at the library and my own little one!

Something Stinks! encourages young readers to help a skunk track down what could be so disgustingly stinky across the pages of this book. It's packed with humor that will make both children and parents laugh. It's extremely interactive which is great for educators or librarians wanting to utilize this one as a read a loud (this is one that I will definitely add to our story time collection). Kids will be baffled as the skunk can't seem to figure out what could be causing such a horrible smell even as a great big trail of "funk" follows him through each page. The illustrations are simplistic, but do a wonderful job conveying the plot of the story. What was most intriguing was the use of the color palette which placed an emphasis on greys, browns, and greens, colors often associated with not so great smells. It was an ingenious choice and I thought that it worked very well. If you are looking for a new picture book to add to your collection that is interactive and humorous I would definitely recommend checking this one out.
Profile Image for Becky.
6,209 reviews304 followers
May 13, 2021
First sentence: Pee-yew! Something stinks! Can you smell that? No? Well, you sure are LUCKY.

Premise/plot: Young readers can join the narrator of Fenske's newest picture book (a skunk) to help track down what STINKS.

My thoughts: I loved this one. I did. Confession: I have really LOVED a couple of his past titles. He's the author of BARNACLE IS BORED one of my all time favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite books to read aloud. It makes such a GREAT read aloud. (Especially if you add in your own Jaws-themed music). So to be fair, I am slightly biased in thinking his books are funny and appealing.

I loved how the skunk is talking directly to readers. It reminds me of Mo Willem's Pigeon books. I love how packed it is with kid-humor. I can see how this would appeal to kids--I was reminded of the things I thought was hilarious when I was a kid--and I don't think it is over-the-top obnoxious that adults will groan if they have to read it again again. (At least I wouldn't complain if I had to read it again again.)

It was an enjoyable read and one that I recommend.
Profile Image for Margaret.
2,822 reviews
Read
August 23, 2021
For those who read aloud, whether to a single soul or a group of listeners, when the story generates, first, giggles and then outbursts of laughter, the atmosphere in the setting changes. It is charged with a special connection. Uniting through happiness is lasting, sometimes for decades. You don't forget it.
Several weeks ago, when I stepped out on the front porch with my canine companion to begin our last stroll for the day, panic and a stench overwhelmed me. It was not quite pitch black outside yet. Where was the skunk? Was it on the lawn? Was it under the porch? Was every person's nightmare about to unfold? We were lucky this time. Something Stinks! (Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, June 15, 2021) written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske is about a being with an experience similar to mine with one huge difference. A skunk can't figure out where a horrible smell is emanating. (I don't know about you, but I am laughing already.)
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Renee Knoblauch.
344 reviews14 followers
June 7, 2021
What an incredibly stinking cute book! The skunk is addressing the readers in this humorous stench-filled story.

He can’t seem to figure out what stinks. He finds a rotten sandwich, moldy cheese, and stinky socks. He even finds a pair of underpants. Mr. Skunk can’t seem to locate the smell as the cloud of stink seems t0 follow him everywhere.

A cute book that will have little ones laughing out loud. And maybe trying to tell the skunk what the small is. The illustrations are simple and bold with a monotone color of green, browns, and grays. My teenage son noticed the colors and thought the colors represented yucky smells! I guess it takes a kid to notice something settle like the colors.

I highly recommend this adorable foul-smelling story.

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Penguin Random House in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Profile Image for Molly Cluff (Library!).
2,492 reviews50 followers
September 2, 2021
A funny interactive book totally characteristic of Fenske. A skunk can't find out what stinks (though it's obvious to the reader that it's him. I can see storytime kiddos yelling at the page "IT'S YOU!!!"). For a book about smells, Fenkse successfully skirted most potty topics--a pair of underwear does make an appearance, but it's freshly laundered, haha. A good amount of texts for storytimes, too.
Profile Image for Cathy Ogren.
193 reviews13 followers
October 5, 2021
Skunk smells something stinky. He reassures the reader that he will find out what it is. He searches everywhere, but can't seem to find out where that "cloud of stink" is coming from. Trying not to be rude, he asks if the reader could be the one that stinks. When the reader points back at Skunk, Skunk is confused and waves a white flag, saying the stink wins and walks away. So where did that stink come from? Read this hilarious book and see if you, the reader, can find the cause of the stink.
Profile Image for Roben .
3,124 reviews19 followers
October 5, 2021
Kids know that skunks stink - but do skunks know that? Skunk smells something very stinky - but they can't quite figure out WHERE that stink is originating. Is it cheese, old sucks, or - maybe - is it you?! This is a silly story that would go great in a story time with the theme of "smell" or stinky things. Or skunks! As always, Fenske's illustrations are delightful - especially the commentating fly.
Profile Image for Kelli Koeppen.
141 reviews4 followers
January 11, 2023
Not what I was hoping for or needing, which might be the reason for the low rating. Cute concept, right? A skunk who does not know where the horrible smell is coming from (hint: it is from him). Illustrations were fun and on point. Our skunk friend is dynamic and even the fly who is hanging around and adding comical commentary pops on the page. It was just not what I was hoping for and the flow of the story was predictable.
Profile Image for Kari.
104 reviews
October 11, 2022
Ha ha ha ha!!!! Ok, first off, the illustrations… I can’t even. Second, the storyline. Something smells terrible and skunk is off to find it. Pretty basic? Yep. But so innocently put together and interactive that kids will howl with laughter — but wait, what does that say about me??? I howled with laughter! Get this for your next little kiddo read aloud. You’ll be happy you did.
Profile Image for AMY.
2,825 reviews
April 22, 2022
This book features a skunk that is trying to figure out where the stink is coming from. Kids will enjoy reading and seeing the source as the author keeps asking the reader to point to the source, etc. It is very funny. The illustrations will keep you laughing. Recommended for Grades K-2.
Profile Image for Abbie.
1,107 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2024
Something Stinks! is a silly read about a skunk who smells something stinky and can’t figure out what it is. It’s interactive and fun, full of laugh out loud moments. The illustrations were also fantastic and added to the silliness of the story.
Profile Image for Cathy.
327 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2021
Classic Fenske humor, I can hear kiddos screaming at me about what stinks during read alouds. What could it be?
Profile Image for Jennifer.
2,279 reviews19 followers
July 22, 2021
Prepare for giggles because kids are going to be loud and silly with this interactive book.
Profile Image for Pinky.
7,057 reviews23 followers
August 31, 2021
Skunk tries to figure out where a terrible smell is coming from.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Diana.
822 reviews10 followers
September 1, 2021
skunk thinks that something stinks. spoiler alert: it's him. this is really cute!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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