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Stinky Face
I Love You, Stinky Face
A vividly illustrated bedtime story that shows how the unconditional love of a mother can be tested through the relentless questions of her little boy. "But Mama, but Mama, what if I were a super smelly skunk, and I smelled so bad that my name was Stinky Face?"Mothers love their children and this unconditional love is truly tested in I LOVE YOU, STINKY FACE. Lisa McCourt and Cyd Moore beautifully weave a reassuring tale of the love and affection of a parent. The imaginative son turns himself into a meat-eating dinosaur, a swamp creature and much, much more before being satisfied with the fact that no matter how stinky he is or how slimy of a creature he could possibly be, he is loved and nothing will change that.
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1997
36 people are currently reading
2476 people want to read
About the author
Lisa McCourt
62 books34 followersLisa McCourt is the author of Free Your Joy: The 12 Keys to Sustainable Happiness, as well as dozens of other books about love and joy that have together sold over 9 million copies.
She's also host of the popular Joy Zone podcast and Founder of Joy School, where she's taught the secrets of joy for over two decades to thousands of learners.
Incorporating the techniques Lisa has gathered from studying with and writing for many of the biggest names in the transformation world, her trainings provide the most effective, streamlined processes available for accessing and maintaining consistent, authentic joy and inner peace—processes backed by hundreds of scientific studies demonstrating substantial increases in health, cognitive function, self-esteem, stress-reduction, and emotional competence.
Lisa's joyful passion for the power of words has propelled a diverse publishing career studded with industry awards, starred reviews, international honors, and mega-sales.
If you have kids, you might have read them I Love You Stinky Face, her longstanding bestseller that Publishers Weekly called a “modern classic,” heralded for helping parents raise unconditionally loved humans who feel secure and cherished exactly as they are. Under her own name, Lisa has penned over forty books for adults and children in addition to collaborating with industry leaders such as Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, James Van Praagh, and Sunny Dawn Johnston.
In addition to having sold over 9 million copies, her books have earned over 10,000 glowing Amazon reviews. Published by Hay House, Scholastic, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, McGraw Hill, Hierophant, HCI/Simon & Schuster, and others, her books have won publishing awards, been featured on Lifetime TV, CNN, and PBS, garnered praise from over 200 publication reviewers, and been translated into 11 languages.
On the secret side of Lisa's publishing path, she's been the silent ghostwriter for many prominent thought-leaders, from New York Times bestselling authors to Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Hollywood stars. Her clients have appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, Saturday Night Live, The Dr. Oz Show, ABC’s 20/20, The View, The TODAY Show, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and The Nancy Grace Show.
When she's not teaching through her online Joy School or through one of her many collaborative projects, Lisa enjoys time in nature with her husband and daughters, singing in Michael Beckwith’s Agape Center Global Choir, and serving her community as President of her local PFLAG chapter. She's always on the lookout for new opportunities to contribute to the elevation of love and joy for all humans.
She's also host of the popular Joy Zone podcast and Founder of Joy School, where she's taught the secrets of joy for over two decades to thousands of learners.
Incorporating the techniques Lisa has gathered from studying with and writing for many of the biggest names in the transformation world, her trainings provide the most effective, streamlined processes available for accessing and maintaining consistent, authentic joy and inner peace—processes backed by hundreds of scientific studies demonstrating substantial increases in health, cognitive function, self-esteem, stress-reduction, and emotional competence.
Lisa's joyful passion for the power of words has propelled a diverse publishing career studded with industry awards, starred reviews, international honors, and mega-sales.
If you have kids, you might have read them I Love You Stinky Face, her longstanding bestseller that Publishers Weekly called a “modern classic,” heralded for helping parents raise unconditionally loved humans who feel secure and cherished exactly as they are. Under her own name, Lisa has penned over forty books for adults and children in addition to collaborating with industry leaders such as Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, James Van Praagh, and Sunny Dawn Johnston.
In addition to having sold over 9 million copies, her books have earned over 10,000 glowing Amazon reviews. Published by Hay House, Scholastic, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, McGraw Hill, Hierophant, HCI/Simon & Schuster, and others, her books have won publishing awards, been featured on Lifetime TV, CNN, and PBS, garnered praise from over 200 publication reviewers, and been translated into 11 languages.
On the secret side of Lisa's publishing path, she's been the silent ghostwriter for many prominent thought-leaders, from New York Times bestselling authors to Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Hollywood stars. Her clients have appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, Saturday Night Live, The Dr. Oz Show, ABC’s 20/20, The View, The TODAY Show, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and The Nancy Grace Show.
When she's not teaching through her online Joy School or through one of her many collaborative projects, Lisa enjoys time in nature with her husband and daughters, singing in Michael Beckwith’s Agape Center Global Choir, and serving her community as President of her local PFLAG chapter. She's always on the lookout for new opportunities to contribute to the elevation of love and joy for all humans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 535 reviews
July 7, 2022
The special magic that is the love a mother has for her child - beautiful book. Sometimes I wonder what I would be if it were not for the constant flow of love from my mother. She is the one who encouraged me to read; always helping me understand words and storylines. What a wonderful gift to give - thank you so much mom!
October 1, 2013
I really only review my absolute favorite children's books because I want to draw attention to them. I don't bother with the mediocre ones. This is one of my favorites as a parent because of it's premise, and one of my girls favorites because it's so goofy.
The idea is a little boy and his mother talking back and forth about what it would take for her to not love him. She reassures him that nothing he could ever do or be could make her stop...no matter how stinky, how dirty, how ugly he is, she loves him all the same. The little boy comes up with some of the cutest and goofiest circumstances trying to test him mother, but it's all in good fun. He's a swamp monster and an alligator, his claws rip the sheets to shreds every night, and he puts his mom through some really smelly situations before he is finally convinced (and tired) enough to let it go.
This is a fun book to do in wild voices, and my girls and I have worked out our own little rhythms, so that each time we read it, we're all giggling like mad. It's also a great book to end with a sweet kiss and a conversation about how unconditional your love for your kids is.
A family favorite!!
The idea is a little boy and his mother talking back and forth about what it would take for her to not love him. She reassures him that nothing he could ever do or be could make her stop...no matter how stinky, how dirty, how ugly he is, she loves him all the same. The little boy comes up with some of the cutest and goofiest circumstances trying to test him mother, but it's all in good fun. He's a swamp monster and an alligator, his claws rip the sheets to shreds every night, and he puts his mom through some really smelly situations before he is finally convinced (and tired) enough to let it go.
This is a fun book to do in wild voices, and my girls and I have worked out our own little rhythms, so that each time we read it, we're all giggling like mad. It's also a great book to end with a sweet kiss and a conversation about how unconditional your love for your kids is.
A family favorite!!
February 12, 2020
This is probably the most beautiful, sweet story for a parent to read to a child about how unconditional love works. But it's not really what I say about it, but a child who passed away at the age of 10. He and his brother had an extensive library and he chose this as his book nightly for 3 solid years. He would cuddle up and read the "I love you stinky face" parts with me. To this day I have that book on my side table, I am now reading it to my 2 year old granddaughter who gleefully claps and yells "Stinky face!!". For parents who read to their kids,this should be first on your list.
May 2, 2018
One of the many books gifted to Ryder at the baby shower. I finally got around to reading it, and it is delightful. A wonderful story where a child is asking his mother if she would still love him if her were a stinky skunk, swamp monster, or a man-eating dinosaur.
And of course the mother reassures her sweet child that no matter what he was she would still love him.
An endearing tale of a mother's love and a child's need to feel both loved and accepted for who he is.
I really enjoy this story, and Ryder seemed to as well.
And of course the mother reassures her sweet child that no matter what he was she would still love him.
An endearing tale of a mother's love and a child's need to feel both loved and accepted for who he is.
I really enjoy this story, and Ryder seemed to as well.
July 13, 2025
It's a game, I'm sure, all little kids play with their parents: to determine the limits of a parent's love. "Would you still love me if I was a crocodile?" 'Would you still love me if I had two heads?" "Would you still love me if I was a Trump-supporting Republican?"
The outcome of the game, of course, is the discovery that there are NO limits to a parent's love. Or, rather, there shouldn't be. Lisa McCourt's adorable picture book (with great illustrations by Cyd Moore) "I Love You, Stinky Face" is about a young boy inundating his mother with theoreticals: "What if I were big, scary ape?" or "What if were a green alien from Mars, and I ate bugs instead of peanut butter?"
The mother, of course, answers each question the same: she would love him no matter what.
This is, truly, a beautiful little book, and I can't wait to read this to my little girl.
The outcome of the game, of course, is the discovery that there are NO limits to a parent's love. Or, rather, there shouldn't be. Lisa McCourt's adorable picture book (with great illustrations by Cyd Moore) "I Love You, Stinky Face" is about a young boy inundating his mother with theoreticals: "What if I were big, scary ape?" or "What if were a green alien from Mars, and I ate bugs instead of peanut butter?"
The mother, of course, answers each question the same: she would love him no matter what.
This is, truly, a beautiful little book, and I can't wait to read this to my little girl.
December 31, 2015
my kids love this book!
January 19, 2010
I love the premise of this story--it's a very humorous and creative way to portray a mother's unconditional love for her child. It's a great reassurance story for children as the little girl/boy (the illustrations of the child are a bit androgynous--which is, I think, a good thing as it lends itself to broader audiences) asks Mama whether she would still love her child even if it turned into an ape or a stinky skunk or a cyclops, or...!? And Mama says of course!!! The illustrations are wonderful and really add a lot of character, humor and heart to the story as we see Mama taking care of her youngster through all the imaginative and icky transformations ;-) Highly recommended!
January 27, 2011
I normally don't review children's books but I think I am going to start. I won't be often enough as I do all the other genres. I do read with my son and the books my son really takes attention to are the books I plan to review.
I Love You Stinky Face was given to my son as a gift. It's kind of a cute story. I call my niece Stinky Butt. I even have a little song to go with it. It never was out of negativity and she actually wants me to call her that. BTW she is 9. Anyhoo so they gave me the book because I use stinky in a lot of my nicknames. haha weird.
This book can express what unconditional love a mother has for their children. It has a whimsy touch but it's not girlie. The fun silly questions in the book are fabulous. The answers are endearing. It's an all around fantastic book. The illustrations are (if you can believe it) absolutely perfect. I doubt I could find a better suited book for my son. I have been racking my brain on how to decorate his room. Because I love this book so much I plan on basing it off of I Love You Stinky Face.
The picture of the book does not do the book justice. The book is so bright and vibrant.
She does have a type of Stinky Face series. Yes, I plan on running out and buying them.
I Love You Stinky Face was given to my son as a gift. It's kind of a cute story. I call my niece Stinky Butt. I even have a little song to go with it. It never was out of negativity and she actually wants me to call her that. BTW she is 9. Anyhoo so they gave me the book because I use stinky in a lot of my nicknames. haha weird.
This book can express what unconditional love a mother has for their children. It has a whimsy touch but it's not girlie. The fun silly questions in the book are fabulous. The answers are endearing. It's an all around fantastic book. The illustrations are (if you can believe it) absolutely perfect. I doubt I could find a better suited book for my son. I have been racking my brain on how to decorate his room. Because I love this book so much I plan on basing it off of I Love You Stinky Face.
The picture of the book does not do the book justice. The book is so bright and vibrant.
She does have a type of Stinky Face series. Yes, I plan on running out and buying them.
March 10, 2015
I had a rather massive surgery last week which left my formerly pretty face looking like a bag of muddy tennis balls. When I told my mom this, she made me promise to read I Love You, Stinky Face. It's very sweet and extremely relevant to face-throat surgery-survivors with moms who love them.
December 29, 2017
Best of the "how much I love you" genre.
Seems like the author/illustrator went to a great deal of trouble to make the kid gender-ambiguous and the back cover copy writer ruined it all.
Seems like the author/illustrator went to a great deal of trouble to make the kid gender-ambiguous and the back cover copy writer ruined it all.
July 27, 2011
Since joining BookCrossing in 2003, most of the books I've read have been BookCrossing books, either in the form of books I have gotten from other members or my books that I have registered in order to release once I've read them. I Love You, Stinky Face breaks with that tradition as it is a book Sean has borrowed from his preschool.
Sometime this summer while I was giving Sean a bath, he exclaimed "I love you stinky face." I had no idea how to react. Was he insulting me? Was it a strange term of endearment? Was he quoting something out of context? At the time, thinking he might be trying more playground humor, I cautioned him not call people stinky faces. Finally Sean explained that I Love You, Stink Face is a book they've been reading at school.
Over the weekend, Sean borrowed the book from his preschool so we could finally read it together. I wasn't expecting to like the book given the title but within a couple of pages, I was enchanted by it. It is a book about unconditional love of a mother for her child. The child at bed time asks his mother if she would still love him if he were to change into a variety of things: dinosaur, gorilla, skunk (hence the "stinky face"), and swamp monster for example. The mother responds that yes she would still love him and she lists the various ways she would accommodate his changes (like moving into a home next to the swamp).
Besides the message of love and acceptance, the book captures the typical sorts of questions kids Sean's age ask their parents. I could completely relate to the mother in the book, though I have to learn how to not get flustered at some of Sean's odder questions. I think I will get Sean a copy of this book the next time I go book shopping.
If I were to make a journal entry at BookCrossing for I Love You, Stinky Face, I would rate it a ten out of ten stars. It really is that good and the illustrations are fun too.
Sometime this summer while I was giving Sean a bath, he exclaimed "I love you stinky face." I had no idea how to react. Was he insulting me? Was it a strange term of endearment? Was he quoting something out of context? At the time, thinking he might be trying more playground humor, I cautioned him not call people stinky faces. Finally Sean explained that I Love You, Stink Face is a book they've been reading at school.
Over the weekend, Sean borrowed the book from his preschool so we could finally read it together. I wasn't expecting to like the book given the title but within a couple of pages, I was enchanted by it. It is a book about unconditional love of a mother for her child. The child at bed time asks his mother if she would still love him if he were to change into a variety of things: dinosaur, gorilla, skunk (hence the "stinky face"), and swamp monster for example. The mother responds that yes she would still love him and she lists the various ways she would accommodate his changes (like moving into a home next to the swamp).
Besides the message of love and acceptance, the book captures the typical sorts of questions kids Sean's age ask their parents. I could completely relate to the mother in the book, though I have to learn how to not get flustered at some of Sean's odder questions. I think I will get Sean a copy of this book the next time I go book shopping.
If I were to make a journal entry at BookCrossing for I Love You, Stinky Face, I would rate it a ten out of ten stars. It really is that good and the illustrations are fun too.
October 22, 2013
Definitely a favorite! The message of a parents unconditional love for a child shines through in a fun, lovely illustrated and well written tale!
Thanks Nicole for recommending this. It's a big favorite with all the kiddies:)!
Thanks Nicole for recommending this. It's a big favorite with all the kiddies:)!
October 13, 2021
For parents but not kids. My boys love picture books. We’ve read hundreds of them, but they wrrr not impressed by this one.
It’s a sweet idea, and it’s nice for parents. The illustrations are just okay, and at least my boys, the book isn’t anything that awesome.
It’s a sweet idea, and it’s nice for parents. The illustrations are just okay, and at least my boys, the book isn’t anything that awesome.
March 20, 2018
Not that it takes much to make me cry these days but this definitely made me cry like crazy
March 10, 2023
My baby LOVES this book. I use it when she's constipated, she poops every time I say stinky!! I recommend completely :)
September 20, 2009
A mother is tucking in her small child, but he has a question! This creative young boy wants to know if Mama will still love him if her were a scary ape, a terrible dinosaur, a green alien or a stinky skunk. Mama, of course, will love her little one no matter what he is and so she tells him until he is satisfied enough to finally say “I love you, Mama.”
What a wonderful and addictive book. I had gotten this book years ago, I have read it to the kids so many times, I think we all know it by heart but the pictures and the words are so fun and so loving that it really does get read and read again. I love the pictures by Cyd Moore, they really portray the boys descriptions of his mythical self. I asked the kids for the best part, they said ‘all of it’ and then, ‘I didn’t like the dinosaur’. I love that the kids know that Mama loves the boy no matter what, just like most mothers (including me of course).
What a wonderful and addictive book. I had gotten this book years ago, I have read it to the kids so many times, I think we all know it by heart but the pictures and the words are so fun and so loving that it really does get read and read again. I love the pictures by Cyd Moore, they really portray the boys descriptions of his mythical self. I asked the kids for the best part, they said ‘all of it’ and then, ‘I didn’t like the dinosaur’. I love that the kids know that Mama loves the boy no matter what, just like most mothers (including me of course).
December 30, 2017
Nothing to see here - just padding my 2017 reading list so I can reach 100 books. Shhhhhh, don't tell...uh...God...?
June 12, 2009
My 6 year old son picked this book out at the library, because his kindergarden teacher read it to his class last year. He read it to his little sisters and they both loved it! I enjoyed reading it to all of them, too!
It is about a little boy who asks his mother if she would still love him if he were various stinky or scary monsters and animals. She, in turn, tells his how she would take care of him if he smelled bad like a skunk, had sharp teeth like and alligator, or had one big eye like a cyclops.
They had fun asking me if I would still love them if they turned into stinky monsters! Naturally, I told them that they were already stinky monsters...and of course I still loved them!
It is about a little boy who asks his mother if she would still love him if he were various stinky or scary monsters and animals. She, in turn, tells his how she would take care of him if he smelled bad like a skunk, had sharp teeth like and alligator, or had one big eye like a cyclops.
They had fun asking me if I would still love them if they turned into stinky monsters! Naturally, I told them that they were already stinky monsters...and of course I still loved them!
Read
August 9, 2010The books illustrations were fun and imaginative. The story was heartwarming and humorous. It is about a boy who asks his mother one important question. "Would you still love me if?" It was delightful to see how much love this mother has for her child. I think that children and their mothers would benefit from adding this as a book to read when a child need to know a mother's love is unconditional.
January 27, 2021
This is one of my most favorite books. I love how McCourt presents unconditional love, without stalkery overtones or schmaltzy language. It's quite adorable, and worth reading over & over (which I have...and do).
February 9, 2013
My 3 year old LOVES this book. It's an endearing story of the unconditional love of a mother.
May 23, 2017
Fun read with the boys.
March 31, 2019
A little boy thinks of stinky and scary monsters and animals, and asks his mother is she would still love him if he turned into them. Of course, she says she will love him, and tells how she will take care of him. A sweet story about a mother's unconditional love. Colorful and fun illustrations. A current favorite in our house.
April 20, 2021
This book is a magic heart opener for boys to see how a mamma’s love is unconditional and no matter how wild and monster like they are feeling inside or acting the mom will always be there taking care of them, loving them and hearing what they really need. Great for times of insecurity. Life changes like new siblings, school, moving, parental separation... or just because.
February 12, 2020
Story Time
Theme: Valentine's Day/Love
Age: 2-3
Super cute, kid keeps asking his mom if he were different types of monsters, would she still love him? (yes, and all the new ways she'd do things) Repetitive but not annoying. Kid loved it.
Theme: Valentine's Day/Love
Age: 2-3
Super cute, kid keeps asking his mom if he were different types of monsters, would she still love him? (yes, and all the new ways she'd do things) Repetitive but not annoying. Kid loved it.
February 12, 2018
such a cute and endearing story.
June 29, 2019
A mother's love is unconditional. ❤️
August 16, 2020
This was cute.
September 9, 2020
I read this book as a child and rediscovered it as an adult. I really enjoyed reading it again and being able to connect with the theme. The mom in the story loves her child unconditionally and I think that is a very important thing to do as a mom. It reminded me of children who come out to their parents as part of the LGBTQ community and some parents do not support it and show their child love like they should. This book is a good reminder to parents to love their children no matter what. Also the illustrations are well drawn. I noticed that they looked like they were done in colored pencil.
October 25, 2020
Cute little book. Appropriate for reading to small children. How do you reassure children that you will love them no matter what? By suggesting the most outrageous examples you could ever think of…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 535 reviews