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The Stinky Cheese Man
Jon Scieszka introduces some really stupid off-the-wall fairy tales including: ‘Chicken Licken’, ‘The Princess and the Bowling Ball’; ‘The Really Ugly Duckling’, and ‘Jack's Bean Problem’.
Chosen by children as the Book of the Year for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, the book was described by She magazine as, ‘The most delightful collection of stories a young cynic could hope to read’.
Chosen by children as the Book of the Year for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, the book was described by She magazine as, ‘The most delightful collection of stories a young cynic could hope to read’.
56 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
591 people are currently reading
29183 people want to read
About the author
Jon Scieszka
257 books1,586 followersJon Scieszka is an American children's writer, best known for picture books created with the illustrator Lane Smith. He is also a nationally recognized reading advocate, and the founder of Guys Read – a web-based literacy program for boys whose mission is "to help boys become self-motivated, lifelong readers."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,680 reviews
September 26, 2017
Book Review
4 out of 5 stars to The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, a re-appropriation of classic fairy tales, published in 1992 by Jon Scieszka. What a hilarious book! Sometimes the classics need a little refresher, and when you add a dose if stupid and fun humor, how can you go wrong? The author and the artist have created a superb work for modern times, where children can easily do a read and compare between the versions of centuries ago and the modern re-telling that stand alongside. Not for the faint of heart, especially if you don't want to see some of your favorite characters pushed and pulled a little! It's one of those books where you just need to relax and enjoy it -- don't get caught up in the craziness of what the author's done or said. Think of it as a way to compare old and new... and when the kids are old enough, it might be a tool to help them learn to love analyzing literature and comparing two things that are similar but very different. Take a chance! You know you wanna...
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
4 out of 5 stars to The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, a re-appropriation of classic fairy tales, published in 1992 by Jon Scieszka. What a hilarious book! Sometimes the classics need a little refresher, and when you add a dose if stupid and fun humor, how can you go wrong? The author and the artist have created a superb work for modern times, where children can easily do a read and compare between the versions of centuries ago and the modern re-telling that stand alongside. Not for the faint of heart, especially if you don't want to see some of your favorite characters pushed and pulled a little! It's one of those books where you just need to relax and enjoy it -- don't get caught up in the craziness of what the author's done or said. Think of it as a way to compare old and new... and when the kids are old enough, it might be a tool to help them learn to love analyzing literature and comparing two things that are similar but very different. Take a chance! You know you wanna...
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
September 23, 2014
They keep making postmodernism accessible to younger and younger age groups. This is a typical postmodern take on the fairy-story genre - they even present Jack the Giant-Killer as an infinite regress of meta-stories - but it's done skillfully enough that I've met bright 6-year-olds who found it funny and got the point.
The rest of this review is available elsewhere (the location cannot be given for Goodreads policy reasons)
The rest of this review is available elsewhere (the location cannot be given for Goodreads policy reasons)
May 12, 2018
Amusing and yes, these are stupid tales. They are silly and not what you expect. The winners and losers change places. I do like Chickin Lickin'. Cute name. Maybe, back in 1992, this was more surprising than it is now, I can't remember. It's interesting.
My nephew had me read it and he enjoyed the book and laughed when he was supposed to. The Stinky Cheese man was his favorite. He knew that it was like the Gingerbread man. He had fun.
I did like how the narrator broke into several of the stories to make a through link.
My nephew had me read it and he enjoyed the book and laughed when he was supposed to. The Stinky Cheese man was his favorite. He knew that it was like the Gingerbread man. He had fun.
I did like how the narrator broke into several of the stories to make a through link.
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March 6, 2021I read this as a kid and it was baller.
October 28, 2016
I grew up with book and always loved it and today I got to read it to my nephew, just like I did with his older brother and sisters.
February 6, 2019
Now I guess I can to a certain extent appreciate the parodistic intent of Jon Scieszka's The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. However and that having all been said, Scieszka's retold narratives do not really work at all well for me as satires (as parodies), and primarily due to the fact there are simply far far too many tales presented. For honestly, as soon as the plot lines of the given stories of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales seem to become somewhat interesting and entertaining to and for me, there generally is an abrupt and rushed ending inserted by the author, and another, similarly choppy and equally annoyingly uneven tale commences (which sure does lead to potential distraction and for me, as well as massive tedium and frustration, and indeed so much so that I only very briefly and cursively skimmed the last three stories, and with scant regret).
And while I am, in fact, still able to find a very select few of the ten or so adapted narratives of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales potentially funny and entertaining enough (as I will admit to chuckling a bit and with appreciation at the tale of the princess and the bowling ball and the story of the princess being tricked, being scammed by a non enchanted frog prince) even this truth, this factoid is simply NOT enough for me to rate The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales with more than one star, well, actually with one and a half stars, if half stars were possible (as personally, the choppy and frustratingly uneven endings combined with the fact that I also rather majorly detest the accompanying illustrations, which while expressive and artistically competent, I just seem to find creepy and most aesthetically unpleasing, their Caldecott Honour designation for illustrator Lane Smith quite notwithstanding, all of this really does make me rather majorly dislike The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and indeed in every way).
And while I am, in fact, still able to find a very select few of the ten or so adapted narratives of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales potentially funny and entertaining enough (as I will admit to chuckling a bit and with appreciation at the tale of the princess and the bowling ball and the story of the princess being tricked, being scammed by a non enchanted frog prince) even this truth, this factoid is simply NOT enough for me to rate The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales with more than one star, well, actually with one and a half stars, if half stars were possible (as personally, the choppy and frustratingly uneven endings combined with the fact that I also rather majorly detest the accompanying illustrations, which while expressive and artistically competent, I just seem to find creepy and most aesthetically unpleasing, their Caldecott Honour designation for illustrator Lane Smith quite notwithstanding, all of this really does make me rather majorly dislike The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and indeed in every way).
January 4, 2023
I loved this book as a kid. My uncle read it in the best voices!
May 15, 2020
3.75 Stars for The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (audiobook) by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith read by Mike Ferreri. The title of the book is spot on. It’s really short and kind of funny.
March 2, 2008
I learned that the Stinky Cheese Man is the shit. Period.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2010
A delightful book that makes me laugh whenever I read it. Everybody should have at least one copy of this book in their home.
November 13, 2016
Guys, this is the most dead serious book I've ever read, much recommended for sassy postmodernist children.
October 16, 2025
Classic!
February 12, 2012
Back in 1989, “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” was the most popular children’s book ever written and that’s where the Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith team made their famous trademark as children’s book writers. In 1992, a new children’s book, made by the Scieszka/Smith team has proclaimed its hallmark of fame as one of the funniest books ever written. That book is called “The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales,” and has became a classic in its own right and won numerous awards, including the 1993 Caldecott Honor Book.
“The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales” is one of the few books that contain so much humor. The humor is sarcastic as it is witty and the humor gives each character in the story a very unique personality that makes the reader want to be like them. Jon Scieszka’s storytelling is probably the book’s major strong point as he fills the book with witty humor such as, the Little Red Hen continuously popping up as an interlude to the other stories and the giant trying to make his own story by sticking together an odd assortment of pictures and words together. Lane Smith’s illustrations are fantastic and humorous, especially of the image of the wolf and Little Red Running Shorts leaving the story as it seems that they were cut out of the image of the house and the woods leaving two white spaces in the image.
“The Stinky Cheese Man” is a pure classic that will make people laugh for many years. Its good sense of humor and creative drawings by the dynamic duo, Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith has made this book an international success. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in good humor and creativity from the Scieszka/Smith duo.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
“The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales” is one of the few books that contain so much humor. The humor is sarcastic as it is witty and the humor gives each character in the story a very unique personality that makes the reader want to be like them. Jon Scieszka’s storytelling is probably the book’s major strong point as he fills the book with witty humor such as, the Little Red Hen continuously popping up as an interlude to the other stories and the giant trying to make his own story by sticking together an odd assortment of pictures and words together. Lane Smith’s illustrations are fantastic and humorous, especially of the image of the wolf and Little Red Running Shorts leaving the story as it seems that they were cut out of the image of the house and the woods leaving two white spaces in the image.
“The Stinky Cheese Man” is a pure classic that will make people laugh for many years. Its good sense of humor and creative drawings by the dynamic duo, Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith has made this book an international success. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in good humor and creativity from the Scieszka/Smith duo.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
October 8, 2016
Now this is the kind of literature children of all ages should be reading. The ugly duckling is just ugly. And didn't we all loathe the "Princess and the Pea"? Back then it was just so important to teach our vulnerable young that royalty are so constitutionally different from us - wholly different protoplasm, so delicate, so high maintenance, that they could detect a pea under 100 mattresses. Blech. In this one the Prince tires of waiting for a princess who could detect a pea (no one could - i liked that) so he slips in a bowling ball. That, a real person might feel. A much improved story. But my favorite of all these delicious tales is the title tale - a revision of (i guess?) the Gingerbread Man. "Run, run, as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the --- man". Except no one wants to chase the Stinky Cheese man, much the opposite, making his taunts hilarious. And the accompanying art is just as educationally realist dada. i loved it. i just wish i had a short, young reason to rationalize not giving it away...
June 14, 2007
this book is awesome. WHO WILL I GET TO PLANT THE WHEAT!? WHO IS THIS ISBN GUY?
June 9, 2014
I adore The Stinky Cheese Man!
Jon Scieszka is brilliant and funny - if you haven't read this you're missing out! He and Lane Smith make an excellent team!
Jon Scieszka is brilliant and funny - if you haven't read this you're missing out! He and Lane Smith make an excellent team!
February 3, 2021
My kids loved this book and I loved reading it to them. The twisted take on well known fairy tales really appealed to my own little piggies and got them thinking up their own goofy fairy land remakes.
October 9, 2008
Picture Book "If geese had graves, Mother Goose would be rolling in hers. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales retells--and wreaks havoc on--the allegories we all thought we knew by heart. In these irreverent variations on well-known themes, the ugly duckling grows up to be an ugly duck, and the princess who kisses the frog wins only a mouthful of amphibian slime. The Stinky Cheese Man deconstructs not only the tradition of the fairy tale but also the entire notion of a book. Our naughty narrator, Jack, makes a mockery of the title page, the table of contents, and even the end paper by shuffling, scoffing, and generally paying no mind to structure. Characters slide in and out of tales; Cinderella rebuffs Rumpelstiltskin, and the Giant at the top of the beanstalk snacks on the Little Red Hen. There are no lessons to be learned or morals to take to heart--just good, sarcastic fun that smart-alecks of all ages will love."
Hilarious book because they take a familiar fairy tale and put a few new twists, which the kids love. The illustrations are so whimsical. I would recommend this book for any fairy tale unit, or read aloud book, for children in first grade and up.
Hilarious book because they take a familiar fairy tale and put a few new twists, which the kids love. The illustrations are so whimsical. I would recommend this book for any fairy tale unit, or read aloud book, for children in first grade and up.
May 5, 2016
I was walking through a bookstore with my cousin who is 5 years younger than me when we came across a display of The Stinky Cheese Man. She exclaimed, "Didn't you just love this book as a kid?!" I had to admit that I hadn't heard of it before, which I was a bit embarrassed about, since she was so enthusiastic and adamant that it was a must read as a kid. I checked the copyright and found that about the time this was published, I was just starting high school. Mystery solved! I'm now an adult and can read whatever I want, without embarrassment, so I checked out a copy at my local library.
I have read books illustrated and written by Lane Smith, so artistically and structurally, I knew I was in for a treat. The nonsensical nature of the stories, along with the clever art direction has made this book a "new" classic for me! I laughed aloud, admired the pictures and just generally appreciated that their are such talented, clever and silly authors creating books for kids!
I have read books illustrated and written by Lane Smith, so artistically and structurally, I knew I was in for a treat. The nonsensical nature of the stories, along with the clever art direction has made this book a "new" classic for me! I laughed aloud, admired the pictures and just generally appreciated that their are such talented, clever and silly authors creating books for kids!
July 16, 2018
A wonderfully wacky selection of tales. Scieszka so effortlessly twists the traditional to the strange and unconventional, sprinkled with just the right amount of humour for good measure. The narrative defies all kind of order and would be a superb postmodern picturebook to use within KS1 and LKS2. From characters taking control, overwhelming the rather intrusive narrator and popping up in stories where they do not belong, all structure is lost and the book becomes carnage in the best kind of way.
June 1, 2016
I used to feel fairly naughty for reading this.
One, because several friends' parents banned it.
Two, because it was a picture book and I was reading "beneath me."
One, because several friends' parents banned it.
Two, because it was a picture book and I was reading "beneath me."
May 22, 2020
At first this was funny, after that I'm not really sure what was going on.
April 9, 2022
This is a beautifully illustrated, rather surreal– and significantly altered – retelling of ten well known fairy tales. Not only the stories, but also the format of the book is turned upside down (in the case of the dedication page – quite literally!). The contents page is on page nine and comes crashing (again literally) into the ‘Chicken Licken’ story. Characters appear out of sequence, demanding that their stories be told NOW, and the narrator, Jack, interacts with the other characters. The size of the lettering changes throughout, and there are puns – e.g. ‘The Tortoise and the Hair’ where the rabbit claims he can grow his hair faster than the tortoise can run. Not all the stories are of equal quality – I thought the title story, ‘The Stinky Cheese Man’, was quite weak but ‘The Princess and the Bowling Ball’, ‘Cinderrumpelstiltskin, and ‘The Really Ugly Duckling’ were excellent.
But the real pleasure in reading this book, is the superb illustrations. Children and adults alike will spend hours poring over every tiny detail. It is the pictures, much more that the stories, that make this a five-star book.
I bought this book, because it looked like it could be a quite interesting quick read. I will keep it because of the illustrations.
But the real pleasure in reading this book, is the superb illustrations. Children and adults alike will spend hours poring over every tiny detail. It is the pictures, much more that the stories, that make this a five-star book.
I bought this book, because it looked like it could be a quite interesting quick read. I will keep it because of the illustrations.
March 13, 2013
This book is simply genius. I've not read it for a few years now but I remember taking it out of the library again and again, laughing out every time.
The book is a picture book but with lots of different fairy tales that have been twisted and warped into a fabulous and hilarious read.
You think you know classic tales like the Gingerbread Man, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood? Think again. With clever tweaks and twists, some of them are linked together in an interesting and unique way.
In summary, if you haven't read this book before and are going to, prepare to have tears of laughter rolling down your face as you hopefully enjoy it as much as I did.
The book is a picture book but with lots of different fairy tales that have been twisted and warped into a fabulous and hilarious read.
You think you know classic tales like the Gingerbread Man, Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Red Riding Hood? Think again. With clever tweaks and twists, some of them are linked together in an interesting and unique way.
In summary, if you haven't read this book before and are going to, prepare to have tears of laughter rolling down your face as you hopefully enjoy it as much as I did.
January 23, 2023
This is like one of five books from my childhood that had a major influence on my taste in literature and art and it was probably the first that made me fall in love with the book as an object. I remember asking the librarian in my elementary school if I could look at it after he read it to my class because I wanted to see all the weird stuff the creators did with fonts and page layouts and the table of contents gag and the blank page in the middle. I mean there are even jokes on the copyright page. As a kid I always knew reading books was fun but The Stinky Cheese Man showed me that creating them could, and should, be fun too.
August 15, 2017
Well, I don't know what I was expecting . . . these were a bunch of stupid tales.
I mean, maybe something with a little more humor or wit? Then again, my mom read one of these little stories and laughed out loud, so it's definitely a hit or miss thing.
To know if you'll enjoy this little book of stories, here's what's basically inside:
"There once was a really ugly duckling. But then he grew up and just became a really ugly duck, The End."
The illustrations were beautifully detailed and painted in a very unique style that reminded me a bit of reading Coraline, which was nice! But I just couldn't enjoy this little book overall. The humor wasn't my thing, sorry!
I mean, maybe something with a little more humor or wit? Then again, my mom read one of these little stories and laughed out loud, so it's definitely a hit or miss thing.
To know if you'll enjoy this little book of stories, here's what's basically inside:
"There once was a really ugly duckling. But then he grew up and just became a really ugly duck, The End."
The illustrations were beautifully detailed and painted in a very unique style that reminded me a bit of reading Coraline, which was nice! But I just couldn't enjoy this little book overall. The humor wasn't my thing, sorry!
November 19, 2018
A brilliantly hilarious book retelling classic tales! Had me in stitches on every page!
May 13, 2019
What a beautiful remake to classic tales? I would certainly re-read again.
June 22, 2022
Even now this makes me laugh. And I love the expressionist inspired art.
February 8, 2017
*Side note*
We were in the library this evening, and I told Gwen we needed to review this book before we checked a new one out. (She had told me earlier that she wanted to review it.)
Then, as we were passing the children's desk, Miss Laura said, "Philip, I just wanted you to know that we read and really like the reviews you do with the kids."
So, that was really nice.
Gwennie has been telling me about this book forever. Stinky cheese this, and stinky cheese that. For the longest time I thought she was talking about Diary of a Wimpy Kid (and the cheese-touch.)
I'd never heard of this book before. But it's great. And it seems so new. Mo Willems or something. ...I was shocked when I saw 1992 as the original publishing date.
Dad: So Gwen, where did you hear of this book?
Gwen: School.
Dad: Where in school? Like the library? A teacher? A friend?
Gwen: The teacher read it to us. In Mrs. Bly's class. In first grade. Now I'm in second grade.
Dad:...I know what grade you're in. ... ...
Gwen: (As I was talking) I've been in second grade for a long time.
Gwen: (Smiling) Yes. I just felt like saying it. And sometimes you ask me things that you don't know. And sometimes you ask me things that you do know. ...Like you ask me what grade I'm in. I was just saying it and making sure.
Dad: So you've wanted to read this book for a long time.
Gwen: Yes. And now I've found it at the library.
Dad: What library?
Gwen: The Goshen Public Library.
Dad: So what did you remember about it that made you want to check it out?
Gwen: Um. That it was funny.
Dad: What do you mean?
Gwen: Like... That it was funny.
Dad: What do you mean?
Gwen: (Exasperated): Because it was a real story that people already made... Not real like it was a true story... but aaaahhhhh... This is hard to explain. The stories were already told before, and the author changed it a little, and made it like them, but funnier. ...And sillier. ...And goofier...
Dad: Can you give me an example?
Gwen: Ok. Say, somebody already wrote a story of Cinderella. BUT I wanted to make a story of Cinderella, but I made it sillier. And goofier.
Dad: How would you make Cinderella sillier and goofier?
Gwen: I could make her like... pretend she was in her house and her sisters were getting ready for the ball... And... And... Cinderella was really the bad one, and her sisters were really nice. And that was what the author did to this story... And made it a little different. Like instead of The Gingerbread Man, it was The Stinky Cheese Man. And in The Really Ugly Duckling, he didn't turn out to be a swan... He was just a really ugly duckling. Get it.
Dad: Got it. So how many stars should we give it?
Gwen: Five.
Dad: Are you sure?
Gwen: YES!
We were in the library this evening, and I told Gwen we needed to review this book before we checked a new one out. (She had told me earlier that she wanted to review it.)
Then, as we were passing the children's desk, Miss Laura said, "Philip, I just wanted you to know that we read and really like the reviews you do with the kids."
So, that was really nice.
Gwennie has been telling me about this book forever. Stinky cheese this, and stinky cheese that. For the longest time I thought she was talking about Diary of a Wimpy Kid (and the cheese-touch.)
I'd never heard of this book before. But it's great. And it seems so new. Mo Willems or something. ...I was shocked when I saw 1992 as the original publishing date.
Dad: So Gwen, where did you hear of this book?
Gwen: School.
Dad: Where in school? Like the library? A teacher? A friend?
Gwen: The teacher read it to us. In Mrs. Bly's class. In first grade. Now I'm in second grade.
Dad:...I know what grade you're in. ... ...
Gwen: (As I was talking) I've been in second grade for a long time.
Gwen: (Smiling) Yes. I just felt like saying it. And sometimes you ask me things that you don't know. And sometimes you ask me things that you do know. ...Like you ask me what grade I'm in. I was just saying it and making sure.
Dad: So you've wanted to read this book for a long time.
Gwen: Yes. And now I've found it at the library.
Dad: What library?
Gwen: The Goshen Public Library.
Dad: So what did you remember about it that made you want to check it out?
Gwen: Um. That it was funny.
Dad: What do you mean?
Gwen: Like... That it was funny.
Dad: What do you mean?
Gwen: (Exasperated): Because it was a real story that people already made... Not real like it was a true story... but aaaahhhhh... This is hard to explain. The stories were already told before, and the author changed it a little, and made it like them, but funnier. ...And sillier. ...And goofier...
Dad: Can you give me an example?
Gwen: Ok. Say, somebody already wrote a story of Cinderella. BUT I wanted to make a story of Cinderella, but I made it sillier. And goofier.
Dad: How would you make Cinderella sillier and goofier?
Gwen: I could make her like... pretend she was in her house and her sisters were getting ready for the ball... And... And... Cinderella was really the bad one, and her sisters were really nice. And that was what the author did to this story... And made it a little different. Like instead of The Gingerbread Man, it was The Stinky Cheese Man. And in The Really Ugly Duckling, he didn't turn out to be a swan... He was just a really ugly duckling. Get it.
Dad: Got it. So how many stars should we give it?
Gwen: Five.
Dad: Are you sure?
Gwen: YES!
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