A look at mammals answers such questions as why do squirrels have bushy tails? do cats have nine lives? why does an elephant have a trunk? and others.

A million times worse than octopus armpits Or sniffing an elephant trunk Is the galling, appalling, truly enthralling Glorious stink of a skunk! There's nothing quite as sly and stinky as a skunk and nobody quite as imaginative and witty as poet David Greenberg and artist Lynn Munsinger to bring them to life. In this hilarious book, readers will find skunks that are surprisingly useful -- their smelly spray flavors everything from sundaes to salad dressing and even helps water the lawn. And their furry black-and-white coats make everything from comfy slippers to classy tuxedos! Fans of Slugs and Bugs! will delight in this newest celebration of a creepy creature.

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.

Meet the skunk! Learn about how this stinky mammal uses a special spray to stay safe. Elementary-aged readers will discover that skunks come out at night to hunt. Full color images and clear explanations highlight the habitat, diet, and lifestyle of these smelly mammals. A Native American folktale explains why the skunk smells so bad.