Stinky

Stinky. Eleanor Davis. Illus. by Eleanor Davis. New York: The Little Lit Library, 2008. 40 pages. $12.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-0-9799238-4-5. Grades PreK-2.

Stinky is a different kind of monster. Of course he likes mud, lives in a secluded swamp, and loves stinking smells, but unlike scary, mean monsters he is afraid of children! He doesn’t like that they take baths or avoid mud and slugs, he gets mad that they eat sweets instead of onions, but most of all he hates and gets quite nervous when they enter his territory. When Nick, a small boy with a red ball cap erects a tree house in one of his trees, Stinky devises a plan to get rid of him. Unfortunately for Stinky, his knowledge about children was incorrect and he fails to make Nick leave. Instead, Stinky gets something else, something better. Eleanor Davis will make children roll in the floor with laughter in her debut book for children. Stinky’s sectioned, comic book style makes for easy interpretation and reading, while also providing a great introduction to the chapter book. The bright, colorful and animated facial expressions really propel the story along and will appeal to even the most reluctant readers. Highly Recommended

My Thoughts…

I think Stinky may be one of the cutest monsters every! I really enjoyed the comic book format of this story. The thought and speech bubbles of the characters really made it seem like they were having the conversations and we were privilege to it. The details in the illustrations were also so much fun to look at. The first page alone had so many aspects not addressed that made me laugh, like the bird with the clothespin on his nose! I did like the simple text, mostly hellos and simple sentences, which is perfect for the type of book that it is. I also think the repetition served its purpose well and will help new readers. I could definitely see myself recommending this book to library patrons or using it in a story time or classroom. I loved the opening endpapers in this book too because it was a little map. It gave the story an adventure quest feel. I was also surprised to realize that there is a message in this seemingly fun and light story; friendship. I was glad it was a simple message like this, since young children and especially beginning readers will not pick up on too many messages. I liked that Stinky and Nick and Daisy Wartbelly became friends in the end despite their species differences. It was definitely a cute book.  

Potential Reaction…

This book is an easy reader and is intended for children aged five to eight. Well, I think that the author made it impossible for kids not to like this book. The character names alone, Stinky and Wartbelly, will already have kids involved. The gross out vocabulary and descriptions too are perfect for new readers and smaller kids. The comic book approach to a young reader will also have kids reaching for this book. There is little text and lots of pictures to help get young readers on their way, and the repetition of key words like stinky, mucky, and slimy will increase their vocabulary and help them know what to expect. I think the details in the illustrations will make kids laugh and get further engaged in the story, especially in the opening bedroom scene and when Stinky is trying to hide in the background from Nick. I think kids will laugh at how silly Stinky is and at his failure, but ultimately I think they will appreciate the friendship formed at the end. I do think this book would be more popular with boys because of the boy character and Stinky’s yucky lifestyle choices, but I think any reader would enjoy it. I also like that this book could be used in a program or classroom, but would be enjoyed a solo read as well.  

Reminds Me Of…

Stinky definitely reminds me of Shrek. Of course this is an obvious connections since Shrek is an ogre and lives in a swamp, but I figured why not just make the obvious comparison. In Shrek’s case he dislikes anyone and everyone, but he too learns how to make friends and accept others. The twist on the traditional monster in Stinky also reminds me of the twist on the traditional big, bad wolf that is shared in Joe Kulka’s Wolf’s Coming. Readers expect that everyone is scared of the wolf as they dart through the pages of this story, but there is a surprise at the end that shows the wolf is not quite as scary as readers thought.