Things that Stink
by Judith Graves
Acorn Press, 2026
ISBN 9781773662039
$14.95, 29 pp, ages 4 – 10
acornpresscanada.com
Oh, the deliciousness of having a book that is somewhat nasty in concept, but so educational! Here, disgusting realities meet science, as this author explores the explanations of why feet, sea lettuce, skunks, wet dogs, and farts stink. That’s only the beginning of the list. There are quite a few animals, birds, insects, and common foods like types of cheese that smell bad, and for good reason! The author personalizes each “stink bomb” so that they speak directly to the reader. The use of clever word play lends a humorous touch to many of the descriptions, and the illustrations done in a simple outline style against colourful backgrounds are engaging. Everyone will learn something from this book, and, as the author cleverly puts it, “Nose doubt about it, the universe is a veritable buffet of odours, and behind every stench is science worth sniffing out!”
Classroom Connections: Students reading this book can be asked to recall the many items that are listed, choose one, and give the scientific explanation for the stench they elicit. This book can also be used to help students categorize items into animals, plants, extraordinary things, etc., which is a very useful activity for young children. Conversely, children can be asked to think of all the things that smell wonderful and find words that describe pleasant odours. As children learn synonyms for words like “stinky” and “fragrant,” their vocabulary skills will grow. Enjoying the contents of this book will be an educational and fun experience for both the teacher and student.
Review by Betty Schultze.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Fall 2026 issue.
