Stinkiest!

May 21, 2018
In this addition to the Extreme Animals series, author-illustrator Jenkins explores aromatic animals, leading with an irresistible question: “What animal is the smelliest of all?” Omitting strong odors actually serves a purpose for many species on the list, Jenkins explains—notably, as self-defense and to protect territory (predators don’t want to be around or eat stinky animals). Mammals on the list include the honey badger, striped skunk, and ring-tailed lemur; bugs, sea creatures, and birds are also contenders: the hoatzin (aka, “stink bird”) takes a long time to digest food, resulting in “a lot of smelly gas—bird farts.” A purple sea slug called the sea hare, meanwhile, “protects itself by releasing toxic, bad-tasting purple ink.” Jenkins supplies additional facts about the animals, making their stinky characteristics just one aspect of their biology; his trademark torn-paper collages offer realistic and distinctive visual texture for each animal subject. Also available: Speediest: 19 Very Fast Animals. Ages 6–9.

July 1, 2018
In these informational books, collage master Jenkins introduces early readers to some of the fastest (cheetahs, aardvarks) and smelliest (hoatzin, millipede) creatures. A descriptive paragraph provides information about each animal. The books feature dynamic cut-paper illustrations and sidebars highlighting location, food, size, and speed (in Speediest). The final spread contains a summarizing infographic. Bib., glos.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from March 1, 2018
Striking pictures and intriguing facts are paired to entice beginning readers. Page headings such as "Bird farts" and "Urrp!" and Jenkins' accurate collage illustrations will draw even reluctant readers in. Information chosen for its "eww" effect will keep them reading despite the challenging vocabulary. Clean, white backgrounds, predictable layout, and varied typefaces help to organize the information. For example, how each critter qualifies as stinky is always discussed in the first paragraph, while callouts explain other behaviors or defense mechanisms. As in earlier series titles, a graphic on each spread indicates scale using either an adult human man or a human hand, while a world map shows habitat. The book concludes with a graphic that shows which critters use smell as a defense or to mark territory and which just live in stinky places. In the similarly formatted Speediest! (published simultaneously), that space is devoted to a chart showing each animal's speed in miles and kilometers per hour. The aardvark's 1/10 mph may seem unimpressive until readers see the explanation that this is how fast the animal can dig into earth. The quick movements of the mantis shrimp and the Panamanian termite are compared (quite favorably) to the blink of an eye. Backmatter in each volume includes a one-page glossary and a bibliography of more comprehensive nonfiction published between 1991 and 2015.Excellent nonfiction that has the potential to make reluctant readers beginning bookworms. Not at all stinky! (Informational early reader. 5-10)

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January 1, 2018

Gr 1-3-Jenkins offers an informative and lively journey into the world of stinky and speedy animals for primary grade students. Smart layout design in both volumes will make for a seamless reading experience for a variety of learners-fact-filled short paragraphs, maps, size comparison diagrams, and accurate illustrations will please browsers and researchers alike. In Stinkiest!, readers will learn that the honey badger uses a stink bomb if threatened and even birds are in on the smelly action-the hoatzin farts a lot and the female green wood hoopoe can spray a foul oil to deter predators. Speediest! is a solid mix of familiar and unexpected creatures: cheetahs and brown hares but also mantis shrimps and aardvarks. Both volumes are graced with Jenkins's signature torn- and cut-paper collage, which showcase a variety of bold colors and textures. Overall, the two titles have a playful and inviting tone that will be appreciated by kids. However, the majority of the titles cited in each book's bibliography are quite old with most published in the early 2000s but a few in the 1980s and 90s. VERDICT A riveting series for animal lovers and a good choice for science shelves.-Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2018
Grades 1-3 Close on the heels of Deadiest! (2017) and Trickiest! (2017), these volumes from the Extreme Animals series spotlight the world's fastest and smelliest creatures. Each single- or double-page entry includes several elements on a white background: a short paragraph of information, a picture of the animal, a pair of silhouettes indicating its size relative to a human body or hand, a global range map, and a fast fact feature pertinent to the book's topic. In addition to a glossary and bibliography, the back matter in each book includes a pertinent, eye-catching infographic. Stinkiest! is full of details that kids will want to share, such as the European roller chick's strategy of puking foul-smelling vomit when attacked. A diagram groups animals according to the purpose of their stench-related behavior, such as defending against predators or marking territory. Dynamic color illustrations in Jenkins' signature style, cut-paper collage, give the pages their undeniable visual appeal. With attractive pictures and fascinating facts, these early readers will interest young animal lovers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)