Tooter's Stinky Wish by Brian Cretney Ages 4-8 32 pages Fitzhenry and Whiteside May 2011 Hardcover     Tooter is no ordinary skunk. He is a skunk who doesn’t stink and - despite his best efforts - nothing happens when he tries to spray. One night, he wishes upon a shooting star: “I wish to stink, I wish to spray. I wish to scare some beast away.” Nothing happens except that the night animals laugh as Tooter, the stink-less skunk, scurries through the forest. Just as Tooter gives up, he meets a little bug that teaches him important lessons in perspective, perseverance, patience and partnership. Tooter's Stinky Wish is a sweet-smelling skunk story which introduces children to four positive words that are an impressive addition to any child’s vocabulary. The story also provides motivational messages about looking at things in a different way to make it possible to accomplish goals; not giving up too soon; letting things happen in their own time; and finally, relying on the help of friends to make your dreams come true.. Tooter’s adventure is further brought to life by amusing, colorful illustrations which are sure to make children smile as they follow this little skunk’s efforts to be stinky. In the back of the book, the reader will find a couple of pages filled with a mix of skunk trivia, games and drawing lessons that will appeal to older children up to age eight years old. Highly recommended.     web reviews   Maya Fleischmann/2011 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)