The Imposter

by Kelly Collier

A laugh-out-loud tale about a skunk who longs for a family, perfect for fans of  Gaston  and  Wolfie the Bunny . Skunk wants to be a dog. EVERYONE loves dogs. And every dog seems to have exactly what he’s looking a home and a family. When Skunk sees a “lost” poster for Max the dog, he wonders if he can pass himself off as the missing pet. He enlists the help of three neighborhood critters—a racoon, a cat, and a squirrel—who train him in the art of being a dog with hilarious results. But, uh-oh, there’s just one thing Skunk didn’t account for . . .  Will it prevent him from finding a home where he belongs?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Family, Humor, Dogs, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[tessa s]

I stopped to read The Imposter at a little free library in town. It was a sweet story about loving yourself the way you are and finding out what is family. I loved the illustration style and the message.

My critique is that the pacing is off. We spend so much time getting Skunk ready to be a dog, and then within 3ish pages, Skunk is giving up on being a dog, finding a missing dog, and accepting themselves as a skunk. It felt like it resolved too quickly.

[Kate]

Yes I read another picture book to help with my reading goal leave me alone 😭 but this book was so cute and so heartbreaking. If I ever have children I don’t know if I could read this to them without crying

[Victoria]

5 🌟 for a what I think is a heart warming kid's book.

[Alison McGauley]

Adorable, fresh, and downright hilarious!

This story about a skunk who wishes to be a dog, so that it can be part of a family, is adorable, fresh, and downright hilarious! I was giggling away at the illustrations, the characters’ comments, and the plotline. In addition to humor, this picture book is full of heart with themes of friendship, teamwork, and found family.

[bina]

It’s heartwarming how Skunk wanted to be part of a family, yet didn’t want to steal someone else’s place by pretending to be the missing dog, Max. Instead, he truly searched for Max with the help of his friends—and in the end he found a family of his own in his trio of friends.

[KMitch]

Cute & amusing story of a skunk who wants a family of his own.

[Emily]

Silly, but a great story about found family

[Stacie]

Skunk 🦨 wants a family.

[Melissa]

100% adorable.

[amal]

Read on TikTok slides, cute book

[Margaret Gerberding]

A very cute book about a skunk who wants to be a dog because he wants a home and a family.

[Destiny]

So adorable!

[Sandy]

Oh, how funny! He only wanted a family. His own family, someone who would want and love him. Perhaps he might just get his chance. Seeing a Lost Poster for Max, a black and white dog, he wonders if perhaps he might take the place of Max. Would the owners of Max even know he is not Max? It is worth a shot.

So, Skunk, yes Skunk tries the idea out and soon, he has some animal friends who decide to help Skunk. They try to teach him how to look, sound, and act like a dog. It’s time to approach Max’s owners and pretend to be Max, can Skunk be Max? Hilarious! The ending is sweet, and you’ll love this book!! My grandchildren and I have read this book over and over again as it’s funny and the illustrations are cute and fit perfectly with the story. 5 stars

[Sym K.]

What a sweet and clever book about a skunk wanting a family of his own because he, 'couldn't shake the feeling he was meant to be loved too.' It will get you in the feels and make you laugh the same. We learn along with Skunk, the true meaning of family and home. Happy to say the story has a happy ending!

Author/Illustrator: Kelly Collier
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publishing Date: November 2023

Recommended Reading Age: 4-8 years
Recommended Grade level: Preschool - 3

[Matthew]

What a fun story about a lonely skunk who is trying to find a family of his own. When he sees that a local dog has run away from their owner, the skunk decides to take the dogs place but needs the help of neighborhood animals to disguise himself as a dog. This was a very fun read, and the skunk illustrations were endearing. I laughed out loud at one moment, which I don't really experience while reading picture books. Very heartwarming lesson learned as well about truth and family and caring.

[Bethe]

Everyone loves dogs, right? That’s skunk’s idea to solve his lack of a family problem (but won’t young readers ask where his skunk family is?) He should be a dog. Some neighborhood critters help him with a disguise and send him to a missing dog’s house as the missing dog. They forget one critical thing however. Nice ending and another found family. Checkout case cover art also.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin]

A lonely skunk endures an extreme makeover into a dog as a desperate ploy for a sense of belonging until it finds its rightful place among a found family of friends. Sadly humorous illustrations show how far we will go to feel loved and accepted. Like so many of us, Skunk “couldn’t shake the feeling he was meant to be loved too.”

[˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗ Lady Abia of Iron ˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗]

this book was super cute. I really liked how the skunk was really desperate to find a family, but not so desperate that he wanted to steal a family. I thought that showed a lot of heart and was a good example to my kid. The fact that he went above and beyond, and found the missing dog was really adorable and admirable. a great read.

[Ryann Jones]

My kids really enjoyed this book. I thought it was clever and cute as well. What they do to disguise the skunk into looking like a dog is funny but it also has a sweet message of finding your place/people/family in the world.

[Beth]

A delightful picture book of a skunk looking for a family of his own.
Highly recommended!

[Courtenay]

Clever, funny, tender, and multiple levels of meaning for child and adult alike. And best of all, it's a dog story! (well, sort of)

[LS Johnson]

i have a soft spot for dog picture books. and even though this isn't really a "dog" book, it is a humorous look at a skunk trying to be a dog and eventually finding a family.

[Kathryn]

Cute

[Emily Haage]

3.5

Cute, funny story about fitting in and finding your tribe.

[Sara Maria]

Adorable. My daughter is having a dog phase right now and she really enjoyed this story.

[Caroline]

A playful and humorous picture book about a skunk who longs for acceptance -- by any means necessary! Would work as a story time read aloud -- will get lots of laughs!

[Anne]

Found in L4L Volume 100.

[Elisabeth]

Adorable illustrations and wonderful story. Lots of fun to read!

[LibrErin]

The most hilarious story about a skunk that longs for a family.

[Tiana]

Another great read-aloud with a fun found family message of acceptance.