Stinker

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

Review Date: November 21, 2017

Review

Stinker is a young, boisterous dog who has always lived in the pound and has a problem in that he "often made little smells." The story seems to be told by a marmalade cat who talks about the various families who try to adopt him, but are always turned away by his "little smells." Finally, an older man who can't "see worth a hill of beans" or "hear worth a hoot" smells the little dog and takes him in making for the very happy ending that was promised at the beginning of the book. Illustrations are cute. Potential adoptees include a family of color and a boy in a wheelchair. The portrayal of the elderly man who adopts Stinky is not good. He is seemingly derided for his poor eyesight and hearing difficulties. This does not show kindness and respect and is not what we would want our young children to think of elderly people.

Overall Book Score: fair