The Skunk

Reviewed by: Barbara Merritt - Scarborough School Department, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 1, 2015

Review

A skunk appears on a man's door one morning. The man quickly realizes the skunk is following him everywhere, as they travel down city streets, through a graveyard, a taxi ride, the opera, and a carnival. The short sentences express the man's frustration as the skunk continues to follow him. This part of the story is told through black, white and peach illustrations with the skunk standing out by his red nose and the man by his red bow tie. He finally loses the skunk by climbing down into the city sewer. He comes up in a new part of town and starts a new life with a party, shown with brightly colored illustrations. The man begins to think about the skunk and finally leaves the party to find him. When he does, he begins following the skunk. This story has a kind of neurotic feel about it, starting with the look on the man's face on the cover. The skunk, then the man, are quite intent on following each other. No reason is ever given for why they are doing so, perhaps leaving readers unsatisfied. It is cleverly done though.

Overall Book Score: good