Something Stinks!

by Jonathan Fenske

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!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Humor, Storytime, Childrens, Juvenile

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 15, 2021

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm]

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.

[Michelle (FabBookReviews)]

Works wonderfully for a giggly read aloud!

[Jillian]

The kind of humor that will have little ones cracking up.

[Melenia]

Pretty cute

[Allison]

Really enjoyed this until the last few pages and then I got lost.

[Becky]

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.

[Margaret]

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/...

[Renee Knoblauch]

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.

[Molly Cluff (Library!)]

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.

[Cathy Stefanec Ogren]

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.

[Roben]

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.

[Kelli Koeppen]

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.

[Kari]

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.

[AMY]

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.

[Babs]

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.

[Cathy]

Classic Fenske humor, I can hear kiddos screaming at me about what stinks during read alouds. What could it be?

[Steph]

Yessss!

[Anne]

This book would be perfect for a preschool storytime group!

[Nancy]

Thank you to Becca for recommending such "high class" literature.

[wildct2003]

Cute book

[Jennifer]

Prepare for giggles because kids are going to be loud and silly with this interactive book.

[Cassie]

This would be a fun one for a storytime for preschoolers!

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

I couldn’t help snickering at the skunk’s silliness, and I am sure young readers will laugh hard. Check out other books by Jonathan Fenske if you enjoy this kind of humor.

[Melissa]

Poor guy doesn't realize the stick is him.

[Sarah Threlkeld]

Predictable, but fun.

[Pinky]

Skunk tries to figure out where a terrible smell is coming from.

[Diana]

skunk thinks that something stinks. spoiler alert: it's him. this is really cute!

[Nessa]

I love interactive books! This is def fun for a virtual live story time! It will get the kids to participate :)

[Michele Knott]

I look forward to reading this one to kindergartners - I know there will be giggles!

[emyrose8]

3.5- the kids like this read-aloud