The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

This is an excellent book for all ages. I am a school teacher and my students absolutely love it. It is also one of my six year old brothers favorite books. This book is definitely a must have for any childs library.

An attempt to be cute in revising fairy tales. It doesn't quite make it, as most fall flat in their humor attempts. It's not that it's terrible, they just aren't good. That's why the middle ranking.

Two better examples of the genre are:
- Politically Correct Bedtime Stories: Modern Tales for Our Life&Times
- Haikus for Jews: For You, a Little Wisdom

I loved this book because it had such an out of the box writing style. The tales play up the silliness that is obvious when reading the original versions. My family got a good giggle from this one! The stinky cheese man is so funny. Especially for those who love cheese even though it does stink!LOL

this is the second copy i have purchased of this book. the first being about 16 years ago. it is the funniest book i have read. kids over the age of 7 will get all the jokes and parents will enjoy reading it with them.

I used to love this book when I was a child, so I bought it for my son, and it is still as amazing as I remember it. The stories and drawings themselves are engaging enough for children, and the clever, modern story-telling elements (breaking the 4th wall, tongue-in-cheek asides, etc.) captivate the adult who will inevitably be asked to read it aloud over and over again. Don't necessarily look for this book to teach moral lessons, but it is great for inspiring out-of-the box thinking and lots of laughs.

Not for the faint of heart. Took our sons to a local theatrical production of the book which inspired the book purchase. 3 and 5 year boys love it but I find it difficult to narrate. Personally I prefer the True Story of the Three Little Pigs - it's edgy and dark but easier to read to children.

I bought this book for my nieces for christmas. They are 6 and had read Lane Smiths other book called The Big Elephant in the Room and it made them laugh out loud. I expected the same from The Stinky Cheeseman but they were very underwhelmed. Maybe they are a bit too young for it.

This book was my favorite when I was my son's age. I purchased it in hopes to get him more involved in reading, because it's fun and quirky, and let's be honest, fairly stupid. It worked though! He loves reading along with me and we both crack up laughing the whole time. He loves everything about the book from its fairly stupid tales to the slightly scary illustrations. As long as it gets him reading by himself, I cannot complain.

It is not as fun as I thought it would be. You have to first be aware of the fairy tales that they are spoofing. I bought it for to children that are to young to know anything about fairy tales much less a revision of them
I don't think kids can listen to fairy tales anyway any more because they are considered offensive or scary or not politically correct or the can make them feel uncomfortable

Two things to do before you start:
1. Be sure your reader/listeners are familiar with the original stories before you introduce them to these parodies. Even then, I find a lot of the humor tilts to the adult side. As in, I'm an adult and I was thoroughly amused by this book.

2. Learn to pronounce the author's name, because you will be referencing and recommending this book.
Say "sheh ska".

Book contents:

To begin, you have the pre-title page, where the loquacious Red Hen tries to begin her story and Jack, the narrator, explains that the title page comes first.

Then you have Chicken Licken's story -- where it's not the sky that is falling, but the table of contents.

Then the book continues with the story of "The Princess and the Bowling Ball".

This is followed by "The Really Ugly Duckling" "The Other Frog Prince," " Little Red Running Shorts," a hysterical interruption by querulous Red Hen, "Jack's Bean Problem," "Giant Story," "Jack's Story," "Cinderumpelstiltskin," "The Tortoise and the Hair" ("Tortoise started to run. Rabbit started to grow his hair."), and the title story, "The Stinky Cheese Man".

Then, just as Jack tries to sneak away from the sleeping giant, the garrulus Red Hen reappears and awakens the hungry giant. The Scieszka ending doesn't disappoint.

Most recent reviews are from adults who were read this book as children and are now reading it to their children. I'm a grandmother who read this to my now 30+ daughter when she was 4 or 5. This book totally cracked her up; I don't think we ever got to the all the other tales because she wanted the Stinky Cheese Man read over and over. She grew up with many books that she loved, but the three that she most took to preschool - grade 1 show & tell were this one, "The Napping House" and "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear". I've saved all of her favorite books that are still in great condition (most of them, fortunately) so my one-year-old grandson will also enjoy these books when he's ready.

My sisters and I were given this book by a cool uncle who loved to send books, and I found it delightful. When I later read it to a child after I'd become an adult, I found it just as amusing. Thing is, the author is very good at being a nut in that special way that kids enjoy and adults can still find amusing. The humor isn't people getting hit with food or hit in the crotch; it's absurdity at its best, and it's made even better because if you recognize the fairy tales it parodies (as most kids do), you feel like you "get" an inside joke, which is really fun as a child. I mean, we all know that the ugly duckling is supposed to grow up to be a beautiful swan, right? Nope. In this book he just grows bigger and is just ugly when he's grown up. (And man was he goofy looking!) And that's funny.

Who knows--maybe I can trace my love of retold fairy tales back to this thing? Since I knew most if not all of the nursery rhymes and fairy tales well by the time I read this twisted medley of them, I appreciated the absurdity very much. I loved that the little red hen was running around throughout the pages trying to make people help her with her bread but stopping to insult the look of the book itself, and how the narrator was insulted by the characters. I recommend that kids be familiar with the fairy tales if they read this, because they'll find it even more fun and absurd, but it's still hilarious just by itself, with all the fourth-wall breaking and abject silliness going on. Highly recommended.

This work has always been a favorite of mine and I have read it quite a number of times and read it of an uncountable number of children. This book though is extremely difficult to place. By that I mean that while it is a children's book, it is never the less completely suitable for the adult reader; it is one of those books that can be read of different levels by different people.

The author has taken a number of fairytales, the characters from these tales and more or less retold many old favorites such as `Jack in the Bean Stalk, Little Red Ridding Hood, Chicken Little, The Gingerbread Man and many more. Each story is simply quirky and the author has put his own slant on the ending of each and every one of these little tales. He has also used characters from one story and inserted them here and there in a most effective way.

There are quite a number of laugh out loud moments in the pages of this book and dozens and dozens of snickers inserted here and there.

There are a couple of things to note though. I see that the age designation on this one starts at three years old. To be honest, the humor found in his book is, at times, pretty sophisticated and subtle. I really feel that it would be a very rare three year old child that would pick-up on what he author is doing. I also feel that if the child is not familiar with the original story, then what is presented here will have little meaning for the wee one.

This is a Caldecott Honor Book and rightfully so. The illustrations by Lane Smith are something to behold and I never tire of looking at his pictures. I have found that children are just as fascinated as I am and can spend hours examining each and ever frame.

This is most certainly one you need to expose your child to but I can tell you that not all children will like this one...many will simply not understand it. I have found that on average, of the children I read this one too, about five percent of them either do not like the book or are uncomfortable with it. I do recommend it very highly though as it is a rather unique read and kids do love it....for the most part.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I got this from the library & had so much fun reading it. Stories are very short, about 1-2 pages. For older kids using this with "How to write Fractured Fairy Tales" it's a great introduction to creative writing, point of view etc. Contents include"

chicken licken * the princess & the bowling ball * the really ugly duckling * the other frog prince * little red running shorts * jacks bean problem * cinderumpelstilskin * the tortoise & the hair * the stinky cheese man

If you want to really know if this book is for you, go to your local library. If they don't have a copy there is always the option of the Inter-Library Loan procedure (books usually take about 3 weeks to arrive). I almost always preview books from the library before purchasing ... it has saved a lot of disappointment.

The title of this book alone was enough to get me to pick it up. As a picture book, it's a fairly simple read, although I think it's mainly aimed at kids in the 4 or 5 year old range and up. They're the ones who will get the humor the best.

Why? Well, this book is a collection of twisted fairy tales. We've got "Chicken Licken," who is convinced the sky is falling - only it's not the sky. We learn what was really happening behind the scenes with the "Princess and the Pea" and how the prince overcame it. "Little Red Running Shorts" tells an interesting story about the importance of running. "The Tortoise and the Hair" introduces us to the stupidest contest of all time. Plus our narrator Jack gets into more trouble with his Giant, the Little Red Hen wanders through the book, and the title story creates quite a stink.

All told, there are roughly 10 stories here ranging from one page to eight pages. Overall, the book is around 50 pages. There is more text than your average picture book as well, so this one will take a little while to read. But the giggles and laughs at the twists in the story will more than make up for it.

So if your child is moving beyond simple picture books, this is one to get. You'll find both of you laughing the entire way through.

Everyone has that one book that they really remember fondly from their childhood, an this is mine. It's held up to age, though, and i still enjoy it with my daughter today. Such an odd book to pass down the generations, but my family loves it! The stories are funny and silly, and the art style is really quite dramatic and beautiful. Everyone should have this book ?

For my book review, I have chosen The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and illustrations by Lane Smith. It won not only the New York Times Best Illustrated Book award but it was also a Caldecott Honor book won several other awards worldwide. Jon Scieszka, in addition to being a children’s author, is a nationally recognized reading advocate and founded Guys Read, an online literacy program to encourage young boys to become confident, lifelong readers. He is known for writing parody books, much like The Stinky Cheese Man. His other books of this nature include: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs; The Frog Prince, Continued; and The Book That Jack Wrote. Jon Scieszka has also written a few series books such as The Time Warp Trio, Spaceheadz, and Trucktown. Lane Smith, the illustrator, has collaborated with Scieszka on many of his books. He has also illustrated works by Florence Parry Heide, Judith Viorst, Bob Shea, Dr. Seuss, Jack Prelutsky, Eve Merriam, Roald Dahl and George Saunders. Smith has also written and illustrated some of his own works, including a New York Times bestseller It’s A Book in 2010. His other works include: Madam President; John, Paul, George, and Ben; and Grandpa Green, which won the Caldecott honor in 2012.
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is a postmodern picture book, which tells twisted and humorous parodies of traditional children's stories and fairy tales. Some of these silly spoofs include, "The Princess and the Bowling Ball", "The Other Frog Prince", "The Really Ugly Duckling", "Cinderumplestiltskin" and "The Tortoise and the Hair.” This book transcends traditional children's folklore in pretty much every way possible. A “post-modern” picture book forces its readers to go beyond traditional children's stories and to read in new ways. The Stinky Cheese Man is very much post-modern as requires its readers to dig deeper in order to understand the book in its entirety. The book takes traditional folklore stories that everyone is familiar with, and twists them entirely to create a fresh, originally take on classic tales. In doing so, Scieszka forces children to read in a much more involved and integrated fashion. In order to understand why "The Really Ugly Duckling” is funny, you must know and understand the true story of the Ugly Duckling. Therefore, kids must incorporate past knowledge and stories, enhancing comprehensive skills. Combining different texts together is required in order to understand the humor of this book, a helpful and necessary talent for children.
The non-conventional layout and illustrations of The Stinky Cheese Man also provide an engaging element to the book that make it a great read for children. The words and illustrations run all over the book, in every way imaginable, drawing the readers’ eyes to places that are often overlooked in more traditional children’s literature. For example, the dedication is upside down with the narrator jack next to it, claiming that no one ever really cares about the dedication so if you really want to read it you'll have to stand on your head. In doing this, the child is intrigued by this atypical layout and consequently will probably turn the book upside down and actually read the dedication, which normally might have been overlooked. Similarly, you think the book has begun with the first story “Chicken Licken”, who thinks the sky is falling down as he feels something hit his head. But the narrator Jack realizes he forgot the table of contents, which subsequently falls down and squishes Chicken Licken and the rest of the story! Not only does this funny tale parody the old Chicken Little story, meaning the child has to recall this knowledge, but it also reinvigorates the child’s interest and keeps everyone on their toes. This usual style is is much more engaging and produces active readers. I remember reading this book with my parents as a child and we would spin and twirl and move the book in ways that made me far more interested in what I was reading. I was never a huge fan of the fairy princess type books, but I loved The Stinky Cheese Man because it was different and made fun of all the stories I was sick of hearing over and over again.
One critique this book receives is that perhaps it isn't for young children, but rather older kids who are familiar with humor and irony. However, this postmodern book can be used to teach exactly those skills. Of course you should read your children the originally stories like Cinderella or Jack and the Beanstalk so that they will have an element of background before beginning this book. But reading The Stinky Cheese Man can expand your child’s analytical skills, and ability to understand humor and sarcasm. It can challenge your reader by asking them why is this funny, what story does this reference, or can you tell me how the original story ends? It is helpful even to read the book several times, each time discovering something new you missed like an ironic joke or a character climbing across the page. There is shocking satisfaction that comes along with this book as it defies all the traditional picture book norms. I would definitely recommend this book as it is enjoyable for kids and adults alike, chock full of useful learning techniques.

Making use of every bookflap, endpaper, table of contents, flyleaf, and ISBN box, Jon Scieszka (go on...pronounce it) and Lane Smith teamed up to bring us the picture book that gives kids a lot more credit than most. Many adults will sit their little ones down with the same boring fairy tales with the same boring fairy tale lessons. Kids like fairy tales, no question, but kids also love the subversive. So if you hand them a book like, "The Stinky Cheese Man", that undermines everything fairy tales stand for, the children will fall on their knees in praise.
The book is a madcap collection of dismembered tales and stories. Didn't much care for the ending of the original "Ugly Duckling"? Well here's your chance to see the real (and realistic) finale to the tale. Think "Little Red Riding Hood" could be pepped up a bit by calling it, "Little Red Running Shorts"? Go wild. Scieszka is one of those rare authors that know exactly how to get little kids in stitches without resorting to the usual scatological humor and innuendo. This book is one wild ride. Characters frequently break through the fourth wall to confront the reader directly. There's a mixing and melding to the book, sometimes ending with the untimely demise of boring or annoying characters. I think it is safe to say that prior to reading this story, I had never had the pleasure of watching Foxy Loxy get pummeled by a book's Table of Contents. So thank you, Mr. Scieszka.
But thanking Scieszka without tipping one's hat to Lane Smith is like feeding bananas to buffalos. It just doesn't make sense. Smith is every bit up to the task of matching Scieszka feather to feather and foul to foul on this intrepid fairy tale adventure. Characters appearing in this book look like nothing so much as a nightmare of texts, fabrics, and shapes. Lane has always reminded me of graphic novelist Dave McKean (of "The Wolves in the Walls" fame), but with a few more childlike sensibilities. These pictures are meant to disturb, but not scare. Rather than finding Lane's grotesqueries fierce, children are endlessly amused by them. And to be frank, so am I. They're great. This book, is great. And the experience of reading it is nothing but a fan-freakin'-tastic experience.

The Stinky Cheese Man and the Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith is ridiculous. So ridiculous. The Little Red Hen wants to know where the lazy, narrator, illustrator, and author are. A giant wants to tell a story. Any fairy tale you think you know ends abruptly, ridiculously, and hilariously:) It’s a fun read.

Our family came at this a little bit sideways. We picked up The Book That Jack Wrote first, mostly because the paintings by Daniel Adel are absolutely
extraordinary, though the rhyme, by Jon Scieszka, based on the classic The House that Jack Built, is fun too. Then I realized that Mr. Scieszka was the author
of both The Stinky Cheese Man, which you often see on recommended book lists, and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, which several other authors of
childrens' books had chosen as one of their favorites in Salon Magazine several years ago. So now we own all three and read them almost every night.
It's somewhat absurd that we refer to the use of self-reference and the ironic blend of fact and fiction within fiction as post-modern, since such elements were
used in one of the first novels ever written, Don Quijote, and have never gone terribly far out of fashion since. Nor is childrens' literature a stranger to these
techniques, as a generation of parents who were raised on Jay Ward's Fractured Fairy Tales can well attest. But Mr. Scieszka is an adept practitioner of the
style and it does tend to make kids' books easier for adults to read and enjoy.
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs is written from the perspective of Alexander T. Wolf as he explains that the whole story is really just a big
misunderstanding, mostly the result of sensationalistic journalism. Meanwhile, The Stinky Cheese Man is a rather more pungent version of the Gingerbread
Man, who can't even get anyone to run, run, run as fast as they can to catch him because of the awful stench he gives off. The illustrations in these two, by
Lane Smith, are less stunning than those by Mr. Adel in The Book That Jack Wrote, but go well with the somewhat manic mood of the stories.
You can't go wrong with any of the three, but be warned, your kids will require repeated readings of each or all.
Book that Jack Wrote : Text : B Paintings : A+
True Story of the 3 Little Pigs and Stinky Cheese Man : Text : A Illustrations : B

The book is written by Jon Scieszka and this review was done by April. This book is one of my favorite books because I can read it over and over and still end up laughing. This book is a collection of little short stories, told by the narrator named Jack (From Jack and Beanstalk). There are 11 short stories in this book; Chicken Licken, The Princess and The Bowling Ball, The Really Ugly Duckling, The Other Frog Prince, Little Red Running Shorts, Jack's Bean Problem, Giant Story, Jack's Story, Cinderumpelstiltskin or the Girl Who Really Blew It, The Tortoise and the Hair, and finally, the Stinky Cheese Man. This whole book is about Jack, the narrator, trying to tell all about the stories in the book. He has trouble doing that because the Little Red Hen keeps interupting him when he is trying to tell a story. The reason the Little Red Hen keeps bothering him is because she wants to tell her story about baking bread and that no one helped her make it.
The most famous story in this book, is the Stinky Cheese Man. It is a knockoff of the Gingerbread Man, but of course with a strange funny twist to it. The story is about a Little Old Lady and a Little Old Man. They were both lonely, so the Little Old Lady decides to make a man out of some stinky cheese. She gave him two olives for eyes and a piece of bacon for a mouth. She put him in the oven to bake. When she opened the oven door, a strong odor fell upon the Little Old Man and the Little Old Lady. They both decide that they weren't lonely anymore. The Stinky Cheese Man goes around say that famous quote, "Run,run,run as fast you can. You can't catch me. I'm the Stinky Cheese Man!"
What will become of the Stinky Cheese Man? Will he end up like the Gingerbread Man? Will the Little Red Hen ever get to tell her story? Read these hilarous stupid tales to find out. I believe that this book is great for the whole family. The reason why is because I think everyone will enjoy it, even the adults!

This children's book is a hilarious tongue-in-cheek retelling of noted fairy tales. When I first read this book I laughed and laughed (I'm over 50); but, I said to myself that little children (certainly in the age group given by the publisher and the professional reviewers) would miss most of the humor. And preschoolers would be even less able to see the humor. Thus, I began to agree with the other customer reviewers who only gave the book one or two stars. But, notice that I gave the book five stars. Look at the other comments. And look at the responses you see from children that you may come in contact with. Children really enjoy the lampooning of tales they have heard thousands of time. Let us not forget that children tend to be smarter than we may think! Lampooning has always been popular (I really don't understand the comments made by an earlier adult reviewer who thought the book was simply stupid). One of the most hilarious tales of ancient Greece was a lampoon of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" by Pigres entitled "The Battle of the Frogs and Mice" (also known as "Batrachomyomachia"). The humor of lampoons seem to be "over-the-head" of some adults but not over-the-head of most children! This children's book was illustrated by Lane Smith and it was a 1993 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

This book defies description . . .but I'll give it my best shot. If, like me, you're ready to tear your lips off if you have to read the traditional story of "The Three Little Pigs" one more time, then you need to go into a quiet room, settle in a comfy chair, and read this book. Don't forget to lock the door, or the rest of the family will want to come in to see what you're laughing about.
As the introduction states, "[t]he stories in this book are Fairly Stupid Tales." They've got names like Cinderumpelstiltskin, the Really Ugly Ducking, and Chicken Licken. Then there's The Stinky Cheese Man, about the child fashioned out of stinky cheese by a lonely old woman and her husband. "When she opened the oven to see if he was done, the smell knocked her back. 'Phew! What is that terrible smell?' she cried. The Stinky Cheese Man hopped out of the oven and ran out the door calling, 'Run run run as fast as you can. You can't catch me, I'm the Stinky Cheese Man!' The little old lady and the little old man sniffed the air. 'I'm not really very hungry,' said the little old man. 'I'm not really all that lonely,' said the little old lady."
To fully appreciate how funny this book is, you need to hold it in your hands and check out the illustrations. They are funny in and of themselves, and the way the book is put together is nothing short of brilliant. This is the perfect book for the sophisticated reader of whatever age.

I was born in 1987, and I remember reading this book as a child. I'm sure that I didn't grasp all of the humor; but the surreal illustrations and the derangement of everything conventional tickled me to no end. Later in life I turned out to exhibit a very absurd sense of humor, and by no intention of my own. Only now have I realized the book's foreshadowing of my personality, and I'm grateful that it was a part of my childhood.

The book is rich with literary and visual satire about the precious and the orderly, and is enjoyed by children who aren't so enthralled by tales of happily-ever-after, but delight in whimsical wordplay and twisted logic. Nevermind the fourth-wall breaks; the book breaks many other boundaries and helps children see that books and art can, and perhaps should, be boundlessly creative. ("Breaking the fourth wall" refers to the characters exposing the fact that they are indeed characters in a book.) Not all children (or parents!) will appreciate this book, but those with a zany or abstract sense of humor are likely to cherish it, and as adults they will cherish it even more, because it has the power to declare them individuals in a world where many would rather keep with the pack than stray off and do something different.

Budding artists and scientists, I reckon, will enjoy this one, and less the scouts and counselors of Youth. To those scouts and counselors, I suggest that they will find much more inspiration in traditional fairy tales.

I was so happy when I first read this book. Many smiles, lots of laughs, and even a fair amount of out loud laughing. I still laugh at the thing, and I've been reading it since it was published. These are wonderfully witty and intelligently done destructions of fairy tales, with an incredible visual backdrop of artwork and fontwork. This is definitely for the more intelligent and/or culturally aware and/or 'worldly' child, since the humor, like Monty Python humor, would be lost on a child or adult who hasn't had much cultural/intellectual/artistic depth in their education/experience.
ONe of my favorites is the very straightford "Ugly Duckling" retelling, wherein the <spolier alert> ugly duckling just grows up into an ugly duck. And the Jack and Beanstalk retelling is very clever, and requires some thought to get a handle on it.
The beauty of this book is not just the artwork, the writing, and the fontwork, but also that you can give it to a small child, a teenager, or an adult, and be equally appropriate. Very much like Rocky and Bullwinkle or The Simpsons or Shakespeare, that plays so well for all stages of development.

My stepdaughter had this book as a kid, found her copy and is reading it to her little sister. It's definitely a read out loud book. With inflection. And voices. It's irreverent. It's smart. It's ridiculous. It's listed for little kids, but people of all ages can appreciate a good book. This is one of those books where you won't want to peel your eyes out of your head or let the book mysteriously get "lost" the second (or fifth...) time the kids want you to read it. A classic. Everyone should have one.

How to describe The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales? One word: hilarious. Not since Ted Nancy's Letters From a Nut have I laughed so hard over a book.
I tried to read this book to my wife, but I had to stop because I was laughing like a lunatic. I suspect she thought there was something wrong with me...she might be right--who knows? (no comments please)
All the stories are funny. The Red Hen and Giant motifs are inventive in that they run throughout the book. I feared it might be a bit over the head of younger kids, but it has not proved to be the case. The Stinky Cheese Man story seems to be both my favorite, and of my kids.
This book is not only hysterical, it is one of the best books to read aloud to kids. You can really throw yourself into characters like Jack, the Hen, and the Stinky Cheese man. I had a blast.
Lane Smith's pictures give the listener a lot to feast their eyes on while being read to. Smith ranks right up there with Barbara Helen Berger as one of my favorite illustrators.
I urge you to get a hold of "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales." It is well worth it.

If you're in need of a good laugh, then this zany page-turner will keep you holding your sides from start to finish. This book contains many short fairy tale rip-offs, such as the "Ugly Duckling," "Cinderella," and "Rumplestilsken." The narrator is Jack from "Jack and the Bean Stalk" and the book wouldn't be the same without the very annoying yet hilarious "Little Red Hen" who wants the book all to herself. With over ten short tales that never seem to end the way that they traditionally should, David Shannon pulls off one of the top children's books and humor books ever to hit the shelves.

Beware of this book,however, if you are a grumpy old man who has a hard time taking humor and laughing at it without screaming at somebody at the top of your lungs. It is for the well-balanced person who loves having fun and can recognize that people are allowed to have fun. I don't often recommend books to my friends but these comical stories have made the incredibly small list. As you can tell, I deeply enjoyed this book and out of five stars, I easily would give it a 6.

By Joe

The "Deluxe Limited Special Never Before Never Again Extra Stuff 10 Year Anniversary Edition" of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is a collection of fairy tales with a twist. For example, The Princess and the Pea is retold as The Princess and the Bowling Ball and The Gingerbread Man is retold as The Stinky Cheese Man. I particularly enjoyed the retelling of Chicken Little as Chicken Licken, in which the sky isn't falling, but the table of contents is, and the retelling of The Ugly Duckling as The Really Ugly Duckling, in which the duckling grows up to be an ugly duck rather than a swan. The tongue in cheek humor is as fun for adults to read as it is for children.

I would recommend this book for ages 8 through 11. Children in this age group will enjoy the silly humor and the unique type of fantasy the stories provide. I would share this book by reading the original fairy tales to the children first and then this book and maybe some other twisted fairy tale books. This would be valuable because the children would have a better understanding of the humor if they have heard the original fairy tales. Following this I would have the children create their own versions of the fairy tales. The illustrations are as unique and zany as the text. Lane Smith has created interesting images that represent the stories. The varying type fonts and the twists on the table of contents and the endpapers add to the chaos to create a truly original reading experience.

These stories have been favorites of my sons' since they were 2-3. Even if they didn't appreciate the parody aspect of the stories, they enjoyed the absurdity of a cheese man so stinky that nobody wants to chase him and (look at the pictures) he renders a skunk unconscious. I must credit this book with helping develop their sense of humor (given a chance, kids are capable of very sophisticated humor).

I love the stories, from the absurdity of Scieska's retellings (for example, in "the Princess and the Bowling Ball," the prince, tired of his girlfiends failing his parents' test, makes it a little easier for her), to the running thread of the narrator's attempts to bring the book together (cleverly interwoven with the fairy tales), to Smith's illustrations...

This book has remained a favorite gift for a broad variety of recipients - people with smart kids, young adults, not-so-young adults - anyone who can appreciate its wit and evil good humor...

The author/illustrator team of Joh Scieszka and Lane Smith are the gurus of fractured fairy tales, a hot trend now in children's books. Their picture book "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" is a collection of retold tales, illustrated in a clever, goofy fashion that appeals to children as well as adults. The ugly duckling grows up to be an ugly duck. The prince slips a bowling ball under his true love's mattress, so she'll be able to impress his parents with her sense of delicacy. The frog gets kissed but remains a frog (he lied about being a prince). And the Stinky Cheese Man, who's a variation on the Gingerbread Man we all know and want to eat, is able to escape because, frankly, he's not all that appetizing. In fact, he stinks. This author/illustrator pair have also collaborated on "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs," and Scieszka wrote "The Frog Prince Continued," illustrated by Steve Johnson. Both are hilarious

"The Stinky Cheese Man...," described as "madcap revisions of fairy tales," avenges bored storyteller parents and frightened children who've committed these wicked queens, big bad wolves, gallant heroes and helpless princesses to memory and nightmares. Author Jon Scieszka and illustrator Lane Smith know and capture the attraction to and repulsion from these timeless stories: fantastic settings, freakish, cliched characters, happy, humorless endings, misogynistic storylines (how many children must have believed "wicked stepmother" was one word?).

"Where is that lazy author?" clucks the pesky Little Red Hen throughout the narrative and indeed, Scieszka could achieved more with this promising premise. Unlike Jay Ward's "Fractured Fairy Tales" from "The Bullwinkle Show" (against which "Stinky Cheese" crumbles), he deconstructs rather than parodies the originals' hoary storylines. Only "Cinderumpelstiltskin" (guess the plotline) and "Little Red Running Shorts" close i!n on "Fractured"'s subversive element, which parodied the stories' commercialization as often as the stories themselves. Scieszka's punch lines abruptly negate the originals' fantasy aspect (especially in the title story, "Other Frog Prince," and "Princess and the Bowling Ball.")

"Where is that lazy illustrator?" the hen continues, and Smith (who gives the hen her comeuppance in a Looney Tunes-esque finale) provides drawings more effectively parodying the tales' grotesque characterizations. Austere, earthy colors (browns, tans, and greens everywhere) join real animal sketches to his exaggerated ones (the "Frog Prince" scientifically identifies the insects on his tongue). Molly Leach's clever use of fonts and type sizes (especially in "Giant's Tale," summarizing most fairy tale cliches in nine lines) express, more evocatively than Scieszka's text, the book's goal of satirizing children's books' structure. But, as any style-concious writer knows, font style, size, color, !or any other gimmick is no content substitute.

"Stinky Cheese Man" is appropriate, transitional reading for early grade schoolers too young not to be read to but too old for the original tales (or old enough to read "MAD" magazine). Pre-schoolers may be frightened by Smith's jagged, exaggerated pictures; better they hear gentler, hipper takes (Disneyfied, Muppetized) of the originals. Children's authors since Dr. Suess has written in response to the simplistic, moralistic, austere plots and structure of young readers' literature. These self-described "Fairly Stupid Tales" weakly spray-paint rather than repaint the originals. Thus, it serves as one of the weaker examples in this genre.

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales is one of my favoite books of all time. It gives great twists to common eveyday fairy tales. It makes the stories that you have heard since you were little more exciting and fun to read. I personally get really bored with listing to the same stories over and over again. That is why i like this book; because it makes old stories seem like new.
In this book strange, and quite surprising twists are put on common stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. For example, The Tortoise and the Hare - everone knows that that story is about the race between the Tortoise and the Hare that teaches you that if you take it slow and steady, you will get where you want to be. But in this story, it is about a Tortoise raceing with a Rabbit growing a hair. I think you should read this book because it is really a great story that is actually fun to read...

As a fairy tale enthusiast, there was no way I could resist picking up this book once I heard about it. It's a quirky montage of words and pictures, often breaking the fourth wall, each story a jumble of humorous realism, ridiculous characters and odd prose. I enjoyed it. I even laughed out loud at one point. The art is not for everyone, being a bit abstract for some tastes. But it fits the overall feel of the book. I would recommend to fairy tale enthusiast and those looking for an odd little read.

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales is one of my favoite books of all time. It gives great twists to common eveyday fairy tales. It makes the stories that you have heard since you were little more exciting and fun to read. I personally get really bored with listing to the same stories over and over again. That is why i like this book; because it makes old stories seem like new.
In this book strange, and quite surprising twists are put on common stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. For example, The Tortoise and the Hare - everone knows that that story is about the race between the Tortoise and the Hare that teaches you that if you take it slow and steady, you will get where you want to be. But in this story, it is about a Tortoise raceing with a Rabbit growing a hair. I think you should read this book because it is really a great story that is actually fun to read...

This is a fairly stupid book with a spin on traditional storytelling that will make you smile.
Even the book itself is not laid out in traditional fashion.
Unfortunately, each page is crammed to bursting with so many words that reading this aloud to little ones might be rather boring and tedious. The chaotic text distracts from the illustrations.
So I gave it to my nine year old nephew to read.
LOVED it.

Jon Scieszka, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (Viking, 1992)

I've been hearing about this book forever, so I finally got round to picking up a copy and breezing through it. There's a lot to be said about the undermining of the world of fairy tales, but not being a scholar of same, I'm not the one to do so (one hopes that eventually one of the mythpunks will get around to doing a comprehensive review of this little tome...), but I recognize the utter brilliance that runs through this book. Scieszka turns fairy tales on their heads, taking jabs at every fairy tale convention there is, turning every sacred cow into shish kebabs and doing so in an extremely amusing way. If you're tired of reading the same old Cinderella stories to your kids, pick this up and have a blast. They'll love it as much as you will. ****

This was a visually playful story where the illustrations play a big part in what makes the story fun. I loved this book as a child and fell in love with it again as an adult. The story is amusing and weaves well known fairy tales together in a humorous way. If a child is already familiar with the tales presented and is old enough to understand the humor, they will love this story. I don't think this book is for every child, it veers from the usual path that fairy tales take and has a very sarcastic and nonsensical tone. The flow from one story to another in the book is also very unique; the narrator appears throughout the book as well but the stories are individual accounts. This makes the reader feel that the stories are tied together is a unique way and the story should be read as a whole. This is a great story for older children who can understand the quirky and sarcastic nature of the story.

Although I obviously didn't buy this book for my own personal reading, I felt I should write a review considering I'd personally read and re-read this book at least a hundred times for my two daughters. This book had me and my two children laughing our heads off with it's many silly stories and antics. It took the old fashioned fairy tales that we all grew up listening to and turned them into a much more modern version. I wasn't surprised to see, my children preferred these new versions to the old ones and to be perfectly honest, so did I! I don't ever remember laughing at fairy stories when I was a child so it delighted me over and over to hear my children chuckling away at each well written tale. I recommend this book for 5 and up personally. I feel younger children may be scared by some of the characters but that's my own personal opinion. Mum's, your best bet is to check it out at your local bookstore before purchasing. Great book!

I read bedtime books with my two sons, ages 6 and 4 ("I'll be five soon," he reminds me.) Although this book doesn't make as regular an appearance in our bedtime reading schedule as say Dr. Suess books, the Stinky Cheese Man always produces giggles.

My kids are too young to know all of the fairy tales this book shreds in the name of parody. That's OK. This book will make a great early reader, too.

For now, I provide the Stinky Cheese Man with a high-pitched, pseudo-Spongebob Squarepants voice and read the text as "fast as I can." The result: I've got a happy audience at bedtime. Rating: Four stars.

Update: I've also reviewed Jon Scieska's Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka, which I recommend to the parents of young boys.

Being fourteen now...I was probably around nine or ten when I saw this book first. I remember asking a nearby read in the library what to read and she surprising walked to the very middle of the library and pulled out a rather large book. It was flat, it was large and the colors didn't look at all happy or bright. What caught my eye was the title, "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales." of course as it says in the title most of these tales are rather stupid and not at all useful. But then, are any fairy tales useful or amazingly beautiful? They are simply stories with an obvious point at the end. And in this case they've just taken that 'point' away. I remember understanding that book far better than any of the other real fairy tales. It was probably because the 'point' was less sharper *grin* I suggest that children who have read many books and tales of fiction should get a hold of this. Getting a hold of this from the very beginning will only confuse a child and so I don't recommend that path but to anyone who likes reading, has read a lot or simply likes a little humour then please do read this. ^^ and enjoy!

Goodie-goodies begone! Fair warning, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales will shock and offend your delicate sensibilities. All others, please grab this book and read it as soon as possible! Preferably with your favorite pre-schooler in tow. This is one of the cutest, hippest, funniest books I've ever seen. It's whacked! Jon Scieszka tosses in twisted re-tellings of old favorites among fariy tales and inserts new stories as well, all of which are insanely funny and creative. I love this book! I've read it too many times to count. The pictures are wonderful, the writing cracks me up! It's the kind of "out there" bedtime stories one imagines Gary Larson, Shel Silverstein and Edward Gorey might have had read to them, not to mention The Addams Family children. But this is not merely (or even particularly) for kids. Any adult worth her salt will like this too. This is the way fairy tales were meant to be!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Okay, I'm outa here!

I would recommend this book because the stories are so stupid that they're funny. Jon Scieska does a great job changing original stories into something different. Lane Smith also does a great job illustrating this picture book to make it win a Caldecott Honor. My favorite part is the little red hen and you will find out why I like it if you buy this book. This book has the typical narrator but not in the way it's usually used. In this book you are always guessing what happens next. This book is a bunch of original stories like " The Gingerbread Man" and changing them. This is why I think you should buy and read this book.

This classic by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith continues to endure the test of time. While much of the humor is likely lost on younger children, there is enough there to keep their interest. The illustrations are truly bizarre, and may be too strange for sensitive children, which parents should be aware of. Even though it's a hodgepodge, the stories somehow flow but are separate enough to be read separately in short storytimes. For older children it is incredibly imaginative. The cover and back are even amusing: Chicken Little's comment about the barcode on the back still makes me laugh out loud.

My parents got me this for Christmas as a child. I still remember the book well as it was one of my favorites.
I've been trying to track it down at Barnes & Nobles for awhile but couldnt find it.

When I cracked it open again recently I still found these stories made me laugh and chuckle with glee, flooding back memories of my father reading to me. I can now pass this treasure onto my 5 year old who enjoys the stories just as much as I did.

I love the traditional Grimm's Fairy Tales, and other more traditional children's books, but this book adds more fun into story time.

Several friends and I give each other children's books for special occasions. None of us have children yet, but we can still appreciate the simple stories and beautiful art in many of the wonderful books on the market today. I discovered this book while glancing through a friend's bookshelf one night after coffee. He asked if I'd read it, and when I said no, he told me to, "Right now, right away, I mean it!" I sat on the floor and followed his orders, and I'm glad I did. I hadn't laughed so hard at a book in ages. I went right out and got my own copy, and I'm giving it to another friend on her birthday. Whether you're an adult or not, whether you have kids or not, this book is just plain fun to have around. Pick up a copy, you won't be disappointed, except that you may wish it were longer.

Hey, I may be in college, but this was a book I read all the time when I was little. I'm currently taking Children's Lit, which requires me reading 70 children's books. I found this one burried in my room, forgetting that I still owned it. I read it, and it still made me laugh. "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales" is one entertaining book.
It's some of your favorite fairy tales.....except told in parody form. They're hillarious. My favorites are "Jack's Bean Problem," "Little Red Running Shorts," "Chicken Licken," and "The Really Ugly Duckling." But they're all very funny. The Little Red Hen will crack you up as she blabbers on about how no one is helping her and how horrible this book is.
The book is by Jon Scieszka and is illustrated by Lane Smith.
It doesn't matter how old you are, this is one of the funniest children's book I have ever read. Fun for all ages. Great writing and pictures. Have a look whenever you can. I'm sure you will not regret it.

I admit I have somewhat of a warped sense of humour. I grew up watching the Muppets and old Warner Brothers cartoons and am a fan of the Simpsons. I'm also familiar with many of the old fairy tales in their true form (not the waterized Disney version). Therefore, I almost immediately liked this book.
Younger children may become frightened by some of the pictures and/or won't get many of the stories. However, since we live in such a media-filled/entertainment society, anyone over the age of 4 will probably enjoy the book. Nevertheless, be forewarned parents are probably going to get the most out of these wacked-out stupid little tales causing kids to wonder what's so funny and why do Mommy and Daddy act so strange when reading this book.

It is a rare kids book that makes the parent reading it laugh as hard as his child. I have now read this book five times to my son (who is six) in a week. He wants to read it again tonight. What is most amazing is that he wants to read the part of one of the characters. So entertaining is this ridiculous little book, that he has taken the initiative with reading.

I also wanted to point out one other important part of what this book does. The book breaks the rules for how books are made. The characters talk out of character to the reader. They make fun of parts of the book. The narrator criticizes the stories and at one point has to flee one another character. My son found this very interesting as he had never thought about what makes a book - about how there are rules for designing books that you could break. This is a pretty hefty and post modern kind of literary concept for a kid, but the book makes them understand it naturally.

Nice job on a very fun book.

This is a very funny book. Also, it's got some of the best use of design and illustration that I've seen, ever!

These are classic fairy tales with a spin. Some have me literally laughing out loud.

And it's a beautifully designed book, where everything works in sync to make the stories their most effective.

Jon Scieszka's The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales (Viking: 1992) reinvigorates classic fairy tales with warped, post-modern retellings. The madness starts when the Little Red Hen invades the endpaper, shrieking about her wheat, only to be chastised by the trickster narrator, Jack (of beanstalk fame): "Wait a minute...You can't tell your story here...The book hasn't even started yet." Then the Introduction spins the well-loved yarn of Goldilocks and the Three Elephants, ending with the disclaimer: "Quit reading. Turn the page. If you read this last sentence, it won't tell you anything."

The Fairly Stupid Tales bask in their irreverence, mocking the unreality of cherished fairy tales with cheeky cleverness. Scieszka dares to disbelieve, reimagining the Frog Prince as a simpler and perhaps more likely story (granting the talking frog bit) in which the frog tricked the princess into kissing him, and then "jumped back into the pond and the princess wiped the frog slime off her lips." Scieszka indulges in a child's honesty, conjuring a Really Ugly Duckling, who "grew up to be just a really ugly duck. The End." And he delights in conflating, sampling, stealing, and [...] fairy tales at every turn. The Giant's story, comprising lines torn from assorted fairy tales and pasted pell-mell together, manages in nine lines to allude to Cinderella, the Three Little Pigs, the Fisherman's Wife, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and the Wizard of Oz, while beginning with "The End," ending with "Once upon a time," and cramming "Happily ever after" merrily in the middle.

Lane Smith's "oil and vinegar" illustrations, part Dalí, part Ralph Steadman, garnered a well-deserved Caldecott Honor in 1993. Smith's artwork interprets and amplifies Scieszka's zany, mischievous sentiment with great verve, not to mention nerve. Grotesque creatures with elongated beaks crammed with tiny teeth, bizarre but somehow more comical than frightening, perfect the book's surreal, mish-mash vibe.

Did you ever wonder if sometimes an ugly duckling simply becomes an ugly swan? Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith did. In the The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (Viking Juvenile, 1992), Scieszka and Smith birth a whole new world of classic fairy tales where Little Red Riding Hood and The Princess and the Pea are transformed into success stories not because they are fairy tales and end "happily ever after," but because of the characters' smart thinking and wit. Bookending the compilation are inserts from "The Little Red Hen" and "Jack the Narrator," whose verbal sparring is unexpected and humorous.

The tales are only further pulled askew by Lane's absurdist illustrations: Chicken Little is hit over the head with a small square reading "12"; a few pages later, the audience discovers that it is because the table of contents was falling, not the sky. However the artistic sensibilities are not limited to the illustrations, which span the entire page, but enhanced by varying texts, fonts, and pages placed upside down. The authors address these changes with quick-witted asides, citing that if you can't read the text, "you could always stand on your head." But perhaps what is most remarkable about The Stinky Cheese Man is the fact that it utilizes every page to its fullest extent, including the back cover, where the Little Red Hen complains about the ISBN barcode. An ambitious, funny reflection on the world of talking animals, royalty, and "once upon a times," The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales will be sure to have readers in stitches.

This book reminds me of Pixar movies. They might be more for adults than for children, but any way you look at it, they're hilarious. It takes fairy tales and well-known stories and puts an amusing and ironic twist on them. The eponymous story "The Stinky Cheese Man" doesn't disappoint, but the other stories in the book are every bit as funny. This is definitely a book for school age children, but adults should pick it up and give it a read as well.

What is a "fairly stupid tale?" It's almost a fairy tale: a familiar tale with a silly, sometimes stinky, twist. Perhaps the narrator stood on his head to get a new perspective on classic stories--as he suggests the reader should do to read the upside-down dedication! This rather self-aware picture book by Jon Scieszka (Viking Juvenile, 1992) pokes fun at itself, and at fairy tales, with references to a "lazy narrator," and an intruding, attention-starved hen who is anxious to tell her story! The fairly stupid tales don't have morals; they have punch lines--surprising, ironic, ridiculous punch lines! Did the princess really feel a pea under 100 mattresses, or is there more to the story? And wait `til you read the one about Cinderumpelstiltskin, a hybrid tale about "the girl who really blew it."
The artwork by Lane Smith is disorienting in the best way--almost abstract, sometimes collage-style, off-kilter, with something or other out of place and very entertaining! The pictures seem to be multi-textured, almost tactile, as if you could pluck a green olive eyeball right from the page. Read these silly short stories backwards, or with your eyes closed. I mean it.

What do you get when you take classic fairy tales and try to make them stupid? Fairly stupid tales. At least that's what author Jon Scieszka would call them. In his picture book, The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales, the author writes what he believes are "stupid" retellings of well-known fairy tales like "The Ugly Duckling and "The Tortoise and the Hare." The title story of the collection, "The Stinky Cheese Man," is a hilarious retelling of "The Gingerbread Man." In the tale, an elderly couple is so lonely that the woman decides to make a man out of stinky cheese. When the Stinky Cheese Man comes out of the oven, he is more than just done--he is alive and longs to be free! Luckily for him, he smells so bad that no one wants him anyway. Unfortunately, he runs into trouble when he meets a sly fox. Will the fox eat the Stinky Cheese Man or has Scieska found another "stupid" way for him to meet his demise? The collection is narrated by Scieszka's version of Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk" and in addition to clever retellings, Jack offers funny commentary throughout the book. The tales are further enhanced by Lane Smith's oil and vinegar paintings. The exaggerated illustrations, which employ cubist techniques and sometime resemble cutouts for magazines, only add to the humor of the book. Scieszka's book is more brilliant than stupid and is sure to be enjoyed by children and adults of all generations.

I borrowed it from the library many many times. I think the only books I picked up more often was Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark (all three). I plan on reading this to my little boy when he's a little older.

This book is a parody of fairytales. It is so intelligently written that it pokes fun at our favorite tales. Children do understand the comedy and love to read this book over and over. Who wouldn't like a book that is upside down on some pages? What about a book being narrated by the Little Red Hen and Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk? I personally loved Little Red Running Shorts, Cinderumpelstiltskin, and the Tortoise and the Hair. Hilarious!

So it's not the best role model for kids, making fun of something. But this book will have you laughing at every page. Jack, the narrator, makes everything into a joke, from the title page to the end paper. The stories are the humerous version of classic fairy tales, like "The Stinky Cheese Man" and "Little Red Running Shorts" These are the greatest stories to read out loud, and will have your listener and yourself rolling with laughter. It will have even the person who hates to read reading it. It really catches your attention. It is by far a classic book of tales. The writer is very good at making you laugh. I recommend this to people of ALL ages.

This book is great! It's great for the elementary kids and even for older kids. Just a fun book. It's a bit longer so the littles may have a harder time sitting because of the wordiness, but it's quite entertaining if they are familiar with regular fairy tales.

I purchased this book at one of my kids school book fairs a few years ago and it remains one of our favorite books to read together. My 11-year-old son even comes around when he hears me reading it to the younger two. (Could be that I have MAD reading skills!) I am on here today to purchase another copy to give to my nephew for his 2nd birthday. He loves books and I am so-very-freaking-excited to read it to him! Jon Scieszka is amazing!

This book is very confusing in the good way. If you like little red riding hood then you should read this book. This book tells you fairy tales that are wacky and weird. Every page is filled with confusion. Except one. You might have to read on your head to read the dedication! The back side will be a shock! Don't dare read the introduction. If you enjoy the princess and the pea read the Princess and the Bowling Ball story! And guess what? Jack, from Jack in the bean stalk, is the narrator!

I love, love, love this book! Calling it an irreverent variation on fairy tales doesn't do the book justice.
The narrator, Jack, mocks, spoofs, scoffs and heckles his way through these fractured fairy tales with no apologies. Everything is a goof from the crumbling title page, to the wacky fonts, the take-no-prisoners illustrations and finally the wildly eccentric stories.
This is definately a read out loud book and not just to your kids! Read it when you need a serious dose of laugh out loud demented silliness.
This is a visually comic masterpiece for everyone!

This book has got to be one of the most hilarious children's book I have ever read. I can remember reading this book and laughing constantly over the psychotically hilarious pictures, and the even more psychotically amusing storyline. This is quite possibly the ultimate parody of nursery rhymes. This book has a rather smart-aleck and slightly sadistic sense of humor that is so rarely seen in books with this kind of intended audience. All throughout, a rather unsuccessful storyteller abuses, and gets abused by the offbeat nursery rhymes that he attempts to tell. This book has a great writting style that remains entertaining even when no punchlines are being thrown out. The pictures match the story(stories) with their intentional craziness. A stupendous read that is worth reading over and over.

SURGEON'S GENERAL'S WARNING: It has been determined that these tales are fairly stupid and probably dangerous to your health. But by all means, keep reading "The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales" by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith (Scholastic, 1992). While these retellings of familiar fairy tales may make Mother Goose lose all her feathers in shock, the tales are a fun dose of mockery and sarcasm. The Ugly Duckling grows up to be nothing more than ugly, the princess gets a slimy smooch instead of a handsome prince, and the sky opens on Chicken Licken to reveal nothing but the falling Table of Contents. Text and image play and weave creatively together in this Caldecott Honor book, thanks to Jack the Narrator who puts pages upside down, mixes large and small fonts, and slips characters in and out of stories. While some readers may ask like the Hen does on the back cover "Who will buy this book anyway? Over fifty pages of nonsense... blah, blah, blah," those with a sense of humor will forgo the lack of classic literature quality and instead embrace it as it is: an entertaining piece of fairly stupid tales.

This book is great! I'm 17, and I recieved this book as a Christmas present four years ago. I love it! I brought it to school one day and shared it with my friends. Skeptical as to how they would take it (since the book is really for children, not teens), I told them that it was my brothers. They laughed so hard that I finally fessed up. They all wanted a copy! I am planning to check into other books by these guys! So no matter what your age, even a teenager like me, you'll love this book. If you don't, give it away. You just don't have much of a sense of humor.

I had originally bought this book on the recommendation for my child from a friend. I am indebted to him for the rest of my life. This is great for both the parents and the kids. They are parodies of classic childrens fables. The Stinky Cheese man is based on the gingerbread man as well as the boy who cried cow patty being based on the boy who cried wolf. Theses stories are full of grade school humor. The artwork is just as wonderfull as the stories and really enhances the book. The children will find these stories funny as well as their parents. This book should be in every childs book case.

I really enjoy this book because it's very bizarre :0) It's a book with several short stories in it.
I read some of the stories in this book to the older Kindergarten children, the rest of the stories would go over their heads. They especially enjoy the story of "The stinky Cheese Man".
It's a good book for parents to read with their child so you can filter it to the level you are comfortable with.
A sense of humour is needed with this book though, as some of the stories are just random nonsense. :0)

If you want to convince your parents to get you this book, try this . . .
Mom and Dad, can I have this book? Oh it got a reward! It must be for the funniest book in that year. Dad, I know that you like funny books, and mom, I know that you like reading books to me. So I would like it if you could buy this book for me. I'd be happy. Please. This book is very funny that is why you should buy it. So, go on--have fun!

My teacher read this book to us in the third grade. Although I didn't like the teacher (everyone else did, but she was always mean to me, which is funny because all my other teachers liked me just fine . . . sorry for getting off topic, anyways . . . ) , I really liked the book, and the rest of the class loved the book too. Most humorless, strict parents dislike this book, which is a pitty because if they don't like creativity and humor in books, they probably won't like it in their kids. Although I would recommend this book only for kids from first grade on up (hey, even teenagers like this book!) because little kids might not understand it.

I loved this book. I remember walking down to the library every week, while in elementary school, just to listen to the librarian read this hilarious book aloud. It was most definitely the most intriguing part of my day. This is a great book to read to your children. I can almost guarantee that you will get a smile out of them, not to mention probably yourself. Take my advice. Buy, check out from the library, or borrow it from a friend and read it. It's phenomenal and I am positive that you will enjoy as much as I have.

I loved this book. I remember walking down to the library every week, while in elementary school, just to listen to the librarian read this hilarious book aloud. It was most definitely the most intriguing part of my day. This is a great book to read to your children. I can almost guarantee that you will get a smile out of them, not to mention probably yourself. Take my advice. Buy, check out from the library, or borrow it from a friend and read it. It's phenomenal and I am positive that you will enjoy as much as I have.

I loved this book. I remember walking down to the library every week, while in elementary school, just to listen to the librarian read this hilarious book aloud. It was most definitely the most intriguing part of my day. This is a great book to read to your children. I can almost guarantee that you will get a smile out of them, not to mention probably yourself. Take my advice. Buy, check out from the library, or borrow it from a friend and read it. It's phenomenal and I am positive that you will enjoy as much as I have.

For any child who has been exposed to the familiar tales of "Cinderella" and "The Gingerbread Man", this book is a must have. I am a twenty-something adult who laughed throughout the whole book. As a future educator, I would purchase this book to use for my "reluctant readers". This book would be useful in the home, as well, as it teaches such things as "parts of a book", something children will have to know for standardized tests. Buy this book for your children or for yourself!

This is one of my favorite children's books, because it takes the old fairy tales we all know and love, then gives them a twist and a half! Check out the table of contents: The Princess and the Bowling Ball, The Really Ugly Duckling, Little Red Running Shorts, Cinderumpelstiltskin, The Tortoise and the Hair, and (my personal favorite) The Stinky Cheese Man! Each skewed story is told on just one page (okay, some extend to two or more) and they are, well, straaaaaaange. But kids dig 'em. Adults too. All you have to do is open your mind and let the weird, half-crazy side of you out.

I bought this book for myself at a school book fair when I was 13. I thought it was hilarious and clever. I'm now 30 and have a little one of my own, and I still think this book is fantastic. It still makes me smile every time I read it. While I think the stories are enjoyable for all children, I admit they will be more enjoyable to children familiar with the original tales. Regardless, I highly recommend this book for both adults and kids.

The very first thing you should look for in a children's book is that you are still going to be entertained after you have read it for the four hundredth and seventy sixth time in two weeks. This book delivers! The first time I read it I was standing in the middle of a bookstore screaming with laughter. Every kid I know loves it and their parents have a ball reading it to them. Don't forget to read everything including the copyright. What could be better at the end of the day than to laugh with your kids?

I thought this was one of the funniest books I've ever read for my son! It's Very different than any other story I've read out there, and entertaining as well, on both the story matter and illustrations! I think I was too busy laughing to have my son clearly understand why mommy was cracking up.....but he doesn't know how the original stories go, so he doesn't get it! I liked this book, but I'm sure theres probably more serious people who might not like it....to each his/her own, but I do like this book!

This is one of my favorite books. Classic stories, with a smart alecky spin and outrageous graphics, that encourage reading aloud, to
ROAR LIKE A GIANT
or
nagandpecklikealittleredhen
Every kid I've ever read this to, starts to grin as soon as I say, "Stinky Cheese Man." It is such a pleasure to find picture books that both kids and grown ups can enjoy together.
Don't forget Scieszka's other books. Just as wacky, just as clever.

This is an amusing take on some classic fairy tales. Stories in this book include: "The Princess and the Bowling Ball," "The Other Frog Price," "The Really Ugly Duckling," "Cinderumplestiltskin," and "The Tortoise and the Hair". These stories are told to us by Jack of "Jack and the Beanstalk." While telling these stories he deals with other fairy tale characters interrupting him. It contains great versions of some of my favorite tales, in a new and fresh way. If you've gotten bored of those old classic tales, then I recommend to you this book! It will be a new experience for you, with a hint of the old classics.

My daughter loves this book. So do I. So does my wife. Wonderfully quirkly, this book breathes new life into staid children stories. The stories are retold with surprising twists that both entertain and challenge your thinking. As a software engineer, I was pleased to find an amusing example of recursion contained within the retelling of "Jack and the Bean Stalk." If you have kids, buy this book. If you don't have kids, buy it anyway!

The story is narrated by Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk. It is separated into a few short funny stories based on well known fairy tales. Jack talks to characters in the stories as well as the reader throughout the book in a very comical way that keeps the readers involved and entertained. All of the short stories are very funny and separate from each other; however, the characters sometimes travel from one story to another as a sort of underlying plot.

I loved this book! I thought it was absolutely hilarious, and I think that many children (of all ages) would also really enjoy this story. I liked how Scieszka took well known stories and changed them into much more "stupid" stories that are much more comical. The style of writing makes the stories even funnier, as well as the illustrations. I really enjoyed the fact taht Jack showed up in different stories to tell us what was going on or to yell at the other characters (mainly the hen) for doing something wrong. The book not only had seperate stories, but sometimes they were tied together to make a story that traveled through the others. It was a very fun book to read and I'd recomdend it to anyone!

I love this book of familiar fairy tales told differently (sometimes wildly differently). There are tons of funny parts, and I have loved this book since I was a child.

Lane Smith for the win!

The Stinky Cheese Man offered an alternative view of everyday fairy tales. It absolutely quenched our thirst for humor. The author combined sarcasm with old fairy tales. The book was cute because Jack, the narrator, commented on every story. The Stinky Cheese man inspired us to write our own fairly stupid tales! The authors in us are coming to life! In conclusion, we think it is a great book for children of all ages to read.

Jon Scieszka takes traditional fairy tales and twists them around to come up with this amusing book. Lane Smith adds fantastic illustrations with a life all their own. This is a fun book to pull out every now and again and search through for another laugh, another angle to the illustrations you did not notice before. Even though Scieszka's books are sold in the children's section, they're as much a joy for the adults as the kids

From cover to cover one never knows what to expect. Pages are upside down and Jack the narrator seems to cause just as much trouble. The stories in the book poke fun at all of the traditional fairy tales we thought we thought we knew by heart. Everything from the way the text is laid out to the illustration screams craziness and havoc. This is a book for an adult to share with a child (it's a little much for a child without adult guidance- that is why it doesn't get more stars). A fun book for all!

This book is amazing! Growing up, this was one of the most popular books among the students in my elementary school. You were cool if you carried it around with you, and everyone would beg to borrow it during silent reading time. The twists that it puts on the classic fairy tales is original, and very entertaining to young readers, who have heard the original stories numerous times. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!

I had this book as a child, and loved it. in fact, my two siblings and I fought over who would have it each day! We loved it that much. It is a little weird and the pictures are definitely not cookie cutter... if you want some frill and a few fluffy pink bunnies, I suggest looking elsewhere. If I am looking for a cooking book I would not search automotive!! Duh.
All in all, funny book! Its a cooky twist to the typical tales we see as children, and I will soon be ordering for my son as well, as I know he would get a kick out of the whole thing!

My younger child (now 3½) loves this book. It's kind of twisted because he doesn't know the fairy tales that are being parodied, yet he still enjoys the art and stories. My 7 year old has since learned of some of the original fairy tales (as opposed to these fairly stupid tales) and gets a 2nd laugh. I've read "The Stinky Cheese Man" so many times I can recite it without looking. I love this book as much as my kids do.

I first discovered "The Stinky Cheese Man" at the age of 10. I was in a children's museum and found the book laying around somewhere. I flipped through it and fell in love with the illustrations. They were different from other kids' books and looked slightly familiar (Lane Smith does the cover art for Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach). And the stories were hilarious! I didn't feel bad that I was this 10 year old reading stories like "Jack's Bean Problem" or "Cinderrumpelstiltskin (or the Girl who Really Blew It)". I grew up knowing the real stories and here was this book that actually MADE FUN OF THEM and had sorta weird pictures. It was like a morbid a 10 year old could get. These weren't just regular fairy tales to me. They were what would have REALLY happened if fairy tales happened in the "real world". Twelve years later, as a full grown adult, I still have this book. As I got older, I gave away virtually all my children's books, but this one I couldn't part with. If I ever have kids one day, I'll be so excited to share "The Stinky Cheese Man" with them.

I bought this book for my boys(then 6 and 9)over a year ago and read it to them as a bedtime book. Adults can appreciate it as a hilarious (and clever) take on well-worn fairy tales and the kids cannot resist the outright silliness of it. For the last few months the book has sat in the back seat of the car and as I drive them about 60 miles every weekend it has been read over and over. They are still discovering funny bits hidden outside the stories. My 7-year old read the silly verbage about the ISBN code to me out loud last week and laughed his head off. If kid's fiction can be edgey and smart - then this is.
Now that Chritmas is here, I'm shopping for more titles by this author.

This is a book for the entire family. From pre-schooler to grandma, everyone will be laughing. Where else can you read stories like: The Tortoise and the Hair, Little Red Running Shorts and Jack's Bean Problem. These are silly, special, irreverent stories with illustrations that are wonderful...very Salvatore Dali. A book that will be read over and over again and a must for all home libraries.

I got this book for my five year old doughter and she loves it. The first day we got it I read it to her three times in a row. I think this is an excellent book for the curious, imaginative kids who love to read stories out of the ordinary. The kids enjoy it the most because the collection of twisted tales are stories they are familiar with, stories like " chicken licken, the really ugly duckling and the stinky cheese man". I personally recomend it for children five and up and for parents of all ages.

I bought this book one year ago for my daughter & she loves it! Actually,everyone in our family does as well as her classmates.She still asks me to read it to her or she will read it to me.This was the first book she ever asked to take to school.It put's a new twist onto old fairy tales & will have everyone laughing out loud.This was a good buy for us,it'll be around for along time.

The book pokes fun at fairy tales, but that its hook. It grabs the attention of the reader by using familiar stories. The reader expects one plots, but gets another. Readers familiar with the story will realize that theses tales are not quite like the others.
Yet, the conclusion of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is disappointing.

This book is brilliant in its witty combination of text and pictures. Regardless of the age of the child reading this book, there will be peals of laughter. The book has great characters, with great lines, and wonderful illustrations. Both children and adults alike will enjoy this book. A true masterpiece! I loved it! And I don't even have any kids... other than the one at heart

this book was very funny to read.i really enjoyed reading this book. i read this book about 50 times to my friend reyna and she likes this book too. she also gave this book 5 stars.this book made me think about alot of cheese.this book was very good. i think this book would be good for little kids to read and i hope they like the same story that i liked the stinky cheese man.

He is now almost 6 years old and *still* loves it. He requested it yet again from the library, and I happily obliged. I love this book, and I get a kick out of reading it. The illustrations are fabulous -- unlike any other children's book -- and the cheeky attitude of the narrator gives it an edge that most children's books can't handle. I highly recommend it!

I remember this book from when I was in grade school and I have always remembered how funny I thought it was. So I bought it for my 4 year son who is a bit young for its humor. It is target for grade school children but I loved it so much I bought it for him early! My husband still doesn't get why I liked the book as much as I do but he doesn't get too much about me anyways!

A total deconstruction of the calssis "Cinderella"? Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk" is a bad guy? A table of contents for an anthology in the middle of the text? This is what "The Stinky Cheese Man and other fairly stupid tales" prides itself on. A book for children that defis such a very long standing convention. For the contemporary childrens book, gone are the das of "Once Upon A Time" as exemplified by the story of "Little Red Running Shorts". It's a new world from the one of our parents (or even ourselves). The children of today trade video games and websites instead of comics and baseball cards. The susibilities of American children change nearly a decade ago, and with this book, childrens literature changes.
The morals of the fables parodied in this book have lasted for centuries and in many ways are still relevant today. But this book capitalizes on creativity and imagination as i twists around storis like The Tortise and the hare to make it about a Rabbit growing his hair fater than a turrtle can run. "Slow and steady still wins the race," but todaythis sparks creativity and development in a child. This book is funn and new. It's a break from the typical "Mother Goose and Grimm" fables that cast out such a dreary theme. The mind of a child will never be the same after this book. And OH! What a change for the better.

Taking familiar fairy tales and dousing them in buckets of silliness, Scieszka and Smith have created a fun children's book that just gets wackier with each reading. So grab a copy and read about the Really Ugly Duckling, Chicken Licken, and of course the Stinky Cheese Man. And watch out for the Table Of Contents (quack quack, gobble gobble)!

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is one of my favorite books. The author takes fairy tales that mostly everone knows and turns them into his own by changing the character's names and personalities and changing a few things in the plot. I like the way the whole book fits together. Instead of having story after story, there is Jack The Narrator who jumps in every once in a while to say a few words and The Little Red Hen jumps in to yell about not having a part in the book. The book fits together and doesn't bore you with story after story. The illustrations are very creative and different. They fill the pages with color and eye-catching matter. This book is very funny and filled with nonsense stories that make you laugh. No matter what age you are, you can enjoy this book.

The Stinky Cheese Man examines the traditional didactic fairy tales, puts them in a blender, and spews forth greatness. Young and old readers alike will appreciate the displacement of the typical book layout for the creative, inventive one shown in this text. Who says the Table of Contents should be on the first page? Why is the dedication page upside-down? Why is the text in all different sizes and all over the pages? It's to attract readers and to keep them on the edges of their seats with laughter, and it works! I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes to laugh. The author even breaks the fourth wall, addressing the reader into the text. For a definite change of pace, introduce The Stinky Cheese Man to a young child. It is a pleasure to read for all ages, and the more it is read, the more fine details you will discover within the unique treasure of art and intelligence.

When I read this to little kids, they say "That's not the way it goes! Tell it right!" But that's the whole point, and I love it! The non-linear structure, the way the stories overrun the pages, it's just sheer joy. I have shared this book with many friends, and I have given all my copies away. I have trouble keeping this one on my shelf.

I feel guilty, but it is true. One night before bedtime my 8 year old son Dylan said, "Will you read me a story?" It had been a long day and I was tired so I started in with "Aw, Dylan not tonight....". It was just then he reached under the bed and pulled out the Stinky Cheese Man. Now I had read the Stinky Cheese before so I thought I knew what was coming. He said just relax Mom, and I will read you a story. Dylan proceded through the Stinky Cheese Man with all the drama and inflection he could muster. He used different voices for all the different characters. In those few moments I was transformed. My fatigue was replaced with the awe of my young son so totally rapt in this exceedingly silly story. I laughed until I thought I would cry. Now at night when it is time for Dylan to go to bed, I say, "How about the Stinky Cheese Man tonight?" It is a delightful story with a warped sense of humor!

This book is HILARIOUS and I love how the author and illustrator paid attention to every tiny little detail they could. I can't imagine how much time and effort would be put into a book like this. Just a tip: This is a great book for all babysitters to take with them, children love to be entertained and it could be a great iebreaker between you (the strange, un-known babysitter) and them. It's also great to put them to bed, it's something imagainative to think about (maybe even dream about) as you got to bed. I would even buy it as an adult just because it's one of those children's books that still makes you crack up!

I have used this book in Pre-K through 1st classrooms. The kids really enjoy the stories, and I enjoy reading them. I usually read the original version of the story, then Scieszka's version. The class "reads" along with me. Then the students compare and contrast, showing their comprehension of the stories.

This is one of the best children's books I have ever read! It is a histerical look at traditional fairy tales. I enjoy reading this book time and time again to my 6 year old (received book when he was 3 and still loves it) and look forward to reading it to my daughter (now 6 months). I laughed almost as much as my son.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales might have an odd name, but the book is very unique. The content of the book is more of a twisted compilation of classic fairy tales intertwined as one. Jack the Narrator takes the reader through the story as he perceives it. Children would leave this book feeling just as Jack as well as other characters too. Beyond the story itself are the amazing illustrations done by Lane Smith. The pictures are creative and done in such a fun way that children WILL appreciate them. The illustrations reflect the fairly stupid tales inside the book exceptionally well. I am an incoming Elemetary Education teacher, and I highly recommend anyone with children to own this book.

I bought this book for my 4 year old who likes being read fairly complex books, and to my surprise my 3 year old is its biggest fan! The complexity of the humour may escape her but the stories captivate her attention as well as they do her brother's. Fabulous and "funky" art compliments the stories.

The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales is SO FUNNY--I love it. I have it and still read it at age 14!! That must say something about it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I definetly recommend this book to ANYONE! Even if your 106 years old It's GREAT. I wish I could rate it higher!

This may sound quite rediculous but anywho, im 16 and i was sitting here and all of a sudden, one of my favorite books from when i was kid popped into my head, The Stinky Cheese Man. I use to have this book and i've been looking for it and decided to just buy a new one and might as well leave a review.

I think this is one of the most enjoyable storys for kids especially those who are in pre-k to kindergarden and never heard the "true version" of their favorite fairy tales.I vaguly remember the Really Ugly Ducking, Chicken Little! The sky is falling! the sky is falling! and all those other tales. But I most certainly cant forget the great drawing in the book that were so funny. Also, how the gingerbread man was changed into for this book the stinky cheese man But all I can say is that I can't wait to read it again =]

GREAT BOOK, FUNNY, ENJOY! =]

The book was a very funny book. We learned about many kinds of animals by reading this story. The story also told us about different kinds of foods such as eggs and cheese. Everyone liked all the different types of funny things that the Stinky Cheese Man did in the story. The book had lots of other stories that we really liked, too. The book was really funny.

The title does indeed say it all: Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. The book stinks and the tales are stupid. I honestly feel like I have wasted my time for having read it. The only reason that I gave it two stars is that some of the art has creative redeeming value with the picture of the table of contents crashed, having some pages that are blank, and blanks spots where reluctant characters have run away. The art work and the text layout are worth studying. The text reads like a series of poorly executed campfire stories with the ugly duckng simply growing up to be an ugly duck and instead of having the sky not fall... the table of contents falls and crushes all of the characters in Chicken Licken...
Crazy James

I brought this book for my son at a book sale at his school. As any other good mother I decided to read this book to my son. That was a complete failure because I couldn't get the words out because I was laughing so hard. If you need a good case of the sillies this is the book for you.

I was a little skeptical that my child, who is within the recommended age group, could grasp the humor and meaning. She did not stop laughing through the entire book and keeps requesting a re-read! I'm more than happy to do so! It is the funniest book-adult or kids-that I've ever read!

This book was not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be a twist on the classic fairy tale stories. This book is just ridiculous and confusing. The stories jump around and have all this side dialogue talking about the narrator, table of contents, etc. The only thing this book has going for it is the art work.

This take-off on the traditional version of Princess and the
Pea, The Gingerbread Man (Stinky Cheeseman), The Little Red
Hen, and other tales will delight youngsters who are familiar
with the traditional tales. The pictures will also fascinate
youngsters.

My Mom used to be a teacher and that's how I was introduced to this book,she used it in her classrooms. When I was expecting My own baby, I bought it and it's now a favorite of My Daughter's and Mine! :)

This book is entertaining for both adults and children. Even kids that are too young to understand some of the sly humor love the stories. The art also holds their attention. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fairy tales or just has a slightly skewed sense of humor!

They read this book to me in grade school and I thought it was very funny. Not your traditional fairy tale stories but its great. Little kids may not get the full humor but even a college grad like myself still enjoys it. Plan to read it to my children when they are older!

Sadly, this book found its way into my hands at the not-so-young age of 16. I laughed aloud, and have since read it or provided a copy of it to all children near and dear to me. I recommend it to anyone who is a parent, a babysitter, or has a sense of humor that can be engaged by the whimsical.

Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith do an excellent job of putting together a parody fo the classic tales of Chicken Little, Little Red Riding Hood and others in "The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales" (Viking, 1992). This hilariously funny book begins from the front end pages with the Little Red Hen, shouting and Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, as the narrator trying to get her off the end page, so he can begin the story. The reader will enjoy seeing a falling table of cntents and a disgusted Red Running Shorts and Wolf. Scieszka's practical retelling of these tales along with Smith's lively, but eerie illustrations will have the reader completely involved in the story, eager to hear the next wacky tale.

My five-year-old son and I smiled maybe once or twice while reading this book. The humor was over his head, and too stupid for me. I know, the point is that the stories are stupid, but we have more fun making up our own versions of twisted fairy tales.

I thought it was the best book when I first read it, and I still do!
It puts new twists on old Fairy Tales!
I would give it 15 stars if I could!
I hope this review of this faboulous book was helpful!

I can remember having being read this story in pre-schol and loving it just because it said "Stinky Cheese", and set us all into uncontrollable fits of giggles. Aimed at younger crowds, Stinky Cheese Man is a book that all will love, no matter what the age. It's especally great when you have squirmy young'uns who are sick and tired of "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella". Heck, hearing somebody read the innocent little words "Stinky Cheese" still makes me laugh. Tee-hee!

I bought this book for my nephew - when it came I decided to read it - I couldn't stop laughing!! it may be written for children but every adult I've shown it to has loved it - would make a great 'get well' book

This book by far is my favorite. I'm a English major in college and had to read this to write a paper, and it is absolutely delightful! If you don't care for silly, stupid things in this world, you will not enjoy this, but for those who do, you will be very pleasantly suprised!

I remember as a younger child than i am now(im 15) and having the teacher read this to us. I remember crying i was laughing so hard! Then i read it a few years later and having the same reaction. Its the funniest children's book i have ever read, and ive read many. Its something for everyone to read and parents will enjoy it as much as the kids, maybe even more! I love this book with all my heart and im sure you and your children will too.

YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK! It's incredibly funny! Not your every day fairy tales, either. A brief summary, Jack mocks the Giant and complains how much room the Giant's taking up by speaking in capital letters. Cinderella meets Rumplestiltskin, the Ugly Duckling's just hopeless, and the frog prince is just that- a FROG prince. .... And, of course, they all live stupidly ever after.

I first read this book when I was in elementary school. Now I'm a freshman in high school and I still love it!! I found all the stories hilarious. I always thought the fairy tales were so boring and dull until I found this book sitting on a shelf. The author is amazing. Jon Scieszka's other 2 books (The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, The Frog Prince Continued) are always loads of laughs. I read all three every night. I'd recommend this book for everyone!!

Though some of the humor may not be for preschool children, The Stinky Cheese Man is great for all chilren attending grade school. All children will enjoy the pictures.

The twists of each story(Cinderella, Little Red Ridding Hood...) will also get a small laugh from even the most withdrawn and shy children. The Stinky Cheese Man is ideal for the first day of school and will make almost any child comfortable around the teacher who reads it.

I received this book as a gift when I was very young. I loved it to death. I read it every night. It was funny, hilarious even. The art caught your eye, the lines are memorable. Even now, 15 years later, I still remember lines from the book.

Seriously - I recommend this.

Your child will read the words and laugh. Then they'll look at the pictures and laugh. Then they'll try to read the really funny parts to you through giggles. Days later they will tell you funnier parts and laugh. Eventually, you'll wish you had never bought the damn book. The only solution is to read it yourself so that the two of you can share it. When you do, you'll find a book that subverts reading everyone else's fairy stories as much as it does boredom

This book made me laugh out loud - literally. A fantastic, funny twist on classic fairy tales, this book has it all - Little Red Riding Shorts who never gets to tell her story, Jack and the Beanstalk with a publicity hungry giant, and even Cinderella who blows her chance to go to the ball. This is a great book for kids of all ages - a must read for the whole family!

I received this book as a gift when I was very young. I loved it to death. I read it every night. It was funny, hilarious even. The art caught your eye, the lines are memorable. Even now, 15 years later, I still remember lines from the book.

Seriously - I recommend this.

the stinky cheese man was well...a beast. it was right up there with the coolest book ive ever read. its hilarious! i couldnt put it down til it was over, and even then it was hard. haha i love the table of contents!!!!!!

I am seven years old and my mommy read this book out loud to me and to my four year old brother. We laughed and laughed. I especially liked the part at the back of the book where the little red hen complained and complained. I liked the cover because the little red hen didn't get a picture. My mommy liked Chicken Little the best. My favorite story was the princess and the bowling ball.

A great book that I thought would sail over my 2 and 1/2 year old's head -- but she loves it! She has no idea about the original stories being parodied, but she loves the silliness and the artwork. I mean, she REALLY loves it -- I had to read her one of the stories for the tenth time before I could even leave for work this morning -- great stuff!

My son (a first-grader) and I have read this book over and over and find it amusing each time.
Like other adults who have reviewed it before me, I can heartily recommend this book to anyone with a sense of humor, with or without kids.

Jon Scieska is a favorite author of ours. We have sought out his other work, and look forward to sharing the Time Warp Trio books together as well.

I remember reading this book to my son when he was about nine years old.
We both howled with laughter especially at the authors' rendition of the time honored and repetitious "The Sky is Falling" story. I admit that as an adult, you must enjoy silliness for the sake of silliness to find these tales as funny as my son and I did.

Wow, I am so glad I found this book! We use to make our teacher read this to us everyday. I just love the way it is written, and I love the illustrations. Great book, but I do agree it should be read to older children. I don't see why anybody would dis-like it. Some people just aren't very imaginative, and like things to be very simple.

At first I thought my freshman honors english teacher was crazy for reading this to us in class....but then I was hooked!!!! Almost 7 years later and I still read it and recommend it to everyone!!! The humor is irresistibly funny and the illustrations are wonderfully imaginative!! It's my all time favorite and should be yours too!!! :)

I read this book when I was 10-11 years of age. Its sarcastic humor and wit was the perfect "transition" book for me to move into pre-teen and teen novels, and eventually adult literature. Anyone reading this to a child below 9 years of age is potentially confusing them and depriving them of a great book.

This book is great for older children! Where this book really shines is as a selection for oral interpretation - groups. Hilarious! I've seen it performed many times. :) I would not buy this for a child younger then 10.

"The Stinky Cheese Man" has got to be the best to read when you are absolutely NOT looking forward to reading "another story" at bedtime!! I had all my friends read it and THEY loved it, I'm now awaiting a sequel!!!

This book is by far one of my absolute favorites. I recently purchased it from the store and re-read it for the first time since I was 6 years old. Still, all these years later, I still laughed at the stories and illustrations.

It is a really funny book. I got it during the summer and even though I am almost twelve I still think it is a funny book. I had to steal it from my sister so I could read it and I could not stop until I finished the book.
THE END

This is a favorite among the 8-12 year old crowd. Kids who don't want to read anything else will read this. Over and over. Try a read aloud with voices. Have kids act out the parts. There is something for everyone in this hysterical book!

I first read this book when I was around 7. I loved it then and now 7 years later I still love it. It is a great book for kids.I read it now just for a good laugh. I never get sick of it. This is a must have book!

My parents read this book to me when I was younger and I find myself reading it over and over, even now that I am a teenager. I think that the stories and the way they are put together are extremely funny. This book should be on everyone's book shelf.

These books are great comedy if you are familiar with the fairy tales they parody. However, the style is a bit "smartmouthed" for young listeners and readers. My son is three and too impressionable for this book (I also just saw the recommended age is 4-8)- MY FAULT! I thoroughly enjoyed reading these stories, but will wait for my son to be a little more "mature" to reintroduce it to the bedtime line-up. I think your child should be able to understand sarcasm in order to enjoy these stories.

So sorry...I [...]wished I had saved my time and stomach. I have children and grandchildren who might enjoy this capital "S"tupid book, but they wont get it from me. We did enjoy the Grossolgy Exhibt at Chicago's Peggy Notebaert Museum this week, but that was so much more clever and redeemble than this collection of what may be funny for adults but is gross bait for children's snortles & hoopda-las. Yes, it may be more entertaining than origianal Goosey tales but i do believe children's stories can be clever on two levels, insightful AND memorable. If this came in true comic style publishing it might rate as "Pulp Fiction." [....]It gets one star for creative artwork. I will now think 3X before being impressed with a Caldecott stamp.

A fantastic book not only for the young, but all ages. However, if you do not have the background knowledge in the many original fairy tales, you may fail to see the humour throughout the book. I love it!

I was really disappointed with this book, bought based on the many great reviews. Having got it for my children 8, 6 and4. On reading it I feel that older kids would probably appreciate it as they would get the joke of it all. But mine definitely prefer the original stories. On checking some of the reviews I should have noticed that more adults preferred it.

This is a horrible anti book you should avoid at all costs. The stories are so pejorative and nasty. But mainly the pictures have a creepy nightmarish satanic quality to them. My mother, husband, and I all agree the abstract fragmented, demented, and disturbing images do nothing but bad for baby's/children's psyches. Abstract art is not good when they haven't even learned about literal objects. For example, there is a image of a giant so creepy eating a live chicken in a sandwich it gives me the heevie geevies.

I cannot believe all the good reviews for this book. I got this book out of a recommendation from another book of children's reading. My 6 year old and now-12 year old were not impressed.

The book makes stupid spin-offs from the classic fairy tales. I will stick with the originals.

My five year old, who avidly listens to me read him chapters of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, completely zoned out when I attempted to read these stupid stories. He was bored and uninterested in every one, as was I. The book is written with a smug self-congratulatory undertone, but how this trash got an Honor medal beats me.

UPDATE:
Someone helpfully commented that the Caldecott Medal is for illustration. My apologies. I didn't know that.

be careful here. i ordered a book that was supposed to be in "very good" condition and it arrived with bits of food stuck on the pages and animal bite marks in the corners. thankfully i contacted them for a refund and the sent me another book that was in good condition at no additional charge. that was nice of them but it still made me weary.

Quite possibly the worst book I've ever read for kids. It might be funny for adults, but after trying to read it to my child, I tossed it in the trash. It's not like traditional FairyTales are that great anyway, but to put a stupid and sarcastic twist on them? It falls flat with me.

Don't buy this for younger children. We had this book because it was my husband's as a child and his mother sent it to us. We began reading it and my 4 year old acted like this book was possessed. He has never before acted so strangely. He made his father stop reading the book and put it back on the shelf, then when they began reading a new book he got up to get the book off the shelf, walked out of the room without a word and frantically looked for a place to hide the book while muttering something about he had to find a place to put it. He ended up putting it under the sink. Something about this book terrified him. I don't know if it was something in the story or the illustrations, but it disturbed him greatly. He was shaking and had to be reassured the book was gone and not coming back. When he woke up in the morning he asked where the book was to make sure it was not back in his room. We ended up throwing it away.

If this book catches your attention, do yourself a favor and borrow it from your local library before purchasing. I really do not understand the good reviews. This book is awful, not funny at all. Not funny at all for anyone, Soooooo stupid.

This book, while potentially humorous to teenagers, is basically a cynical spin on classic children's tales and nursery rhymes. However, they have been severely emasculated and stripped of all moral content.

For example, in the "Ugly Duckling" story as presented in this book, the ugly duckling just grows up to be ugly.

We bought this book at the local Goodwill without previewing it, and after reading out of it a couple times, I've decided to throw it away. I wouldn't consider giving it away or re-donating it because I wouldn't want anyone else to make the same mistake I did. Also, since children are particularly impressionable, I think the symbolism and allegories of moral content is critical in children's literature.

At least the book is appropriately titled, "...Fairly Stupid Tales."

this book is very degrading, especially for children. There is nothing positive in that book, and while i am teaching my six y.o. daughter not to say stupid, she brings this book from school. I read the whole book, and i do not find anything funny in it, but stupid and degrading. This book is a shame!

This book does not have any literary, educational or artistic (sorry, Caldecott) value for children. Does not worth the paper it's printed on. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales