Smelly Skunks

Gross-out Defenses

by Catherine Nichols

You don't want to mess with a skunk! When skunks are in trouble, they spray a stinky oil as far as 15 feet. Phew! The oil isn't deadly, but the terrible smell makes other animals leave them alone. This is just one of the fascinating facts kids will discover as they explore the world of these smelly creatures. Large, eye-popping photos and clear, grade-appropriate text engage emergent readers as they learn all about the unique and gross ways skunks protect themselves. A section in the back of the book profiles another animal that protects itself in a similar way, to help reinforce the concept of defense mechanisms.

24 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

As the author of more than 60 books for readers of all ages, Catherine Nichols has written on a wide variety of topics, including art, animals, and ASL. And that's just the A's! When not writing and editing, she teaches fiction writing and provides editorial services to aspiring writers. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and their much pampered pug.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems a little scant to me, even given the 'beginner' level of the text. But it did help me figure out the burrow question raised in the Children's Books group. Skunks' homes are called dens. If the den is underground, it's called a burrow. Skunks will use burrows left by other animals, or dig their own.