Poo-Dunit?: A Forest Floor Mystery

by Katelyn Aronson, Stephanie Laberis (Illustrator)

Overview

“Aronson’s rhymed verses will be a treat to read aloud, assuming, that is, they can be heard over audience laughter. . . . Should reduce any storytime group to pandemonium.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Sniff, sniff! went Mouse. Whiff, whiff! went Mouse.
“Who left this poo outside my house? I must undo this mystery. Poo-dunit?”

Mouse is dismayed to step outside her house one morning only to discover a giant pile of poo! Who could have done such a dastardly deed? Mouse questions all the animals of the forest, but it’s too big to be Squirrel’s, too dark to be Coyote’s, and too messy to be Deer’s. Will Mouse ever track down the culprit—and will she find a way to make the best of this smelly situation? Between giggles, children will learn to identify eight different animals’ scat and discover how droppings can help plants to grow, all while enjoying Katelyn Aronson’s rhyming text and Stephanie Laberis’s expressive animals. Back matter includes a mini “poo-dunit” mystery challenging children to match scat with the correct animal, as well as a note on why poo is precious.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781536240870
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	02/18/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.62(w) x 10.62(h) x (d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Katelyn Aronson is a former children's bookseller and the author of several picture books. She grew up in California and now lives in France.

Stephanie Laberis is a character designer and illustrator who specializes in creating art for animation and children’s publications. She is the illustrator of Orangutan Hats and Other Tools Animals Use as well as the Grumpy Cat books and many other Little Golden Books. Stephanie Laberis lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Editorial Reviews

Aronson’s rhymed verses will be a treat to read aloud, assuming, that is, they can be heard over audience laughter. . . . should reduce any storytime group to pandemonium.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

Aronson’s story of a scatological stumper will elicit giggles. . . The quiz and the paean to poo at the close add a little fun and science, respectively. Laberis’ digitally created cartoon illustrations are worthy of Disney—if Disney did doo-doo. . . Stinky science with a sprinkle of silly.
—Kirkus Reviews

In this deeply silly but impressively informative rhyming mystery tale, young people can learn to be dropping detectives. . . . In addition to a lot of silliness, the book ends with a visual guide to poo of many sorts, and an explanation of the environmental role it plays.
—The Virginian Pilot

From the Publisher

2022-03-30
Can Mouse discover who has made this stinky doo?

“Once upon a forest floor, / a snout poked out / a burrow door / and wheezed and sneezed, / for on the breeze / there came a hint of… // POO.” Mouse finds a giant mound, hairy and brown with red berries in it. First Mouse calls to Squirrel, who denies making anything that big and suggests Skunk. Mouse calls Skunk, who replies, “Don’t make me sick! / My poo is thin. / This poo is thick! / Ask Porcupine.” But Porcupine’s is short, and this one is long, and it’s not Fox's, Coyote's, or Deer's. As the animals look at the poo’s characteristics and deduce who made it, Bear arrives to proudly take responsibility. Bear also claims no one can outpoo them, but Moose does just that, graphically. What is Mouse to do with all of this ordure? Disconsolate at first, she then has a great idea, and spring brings a much more enjoyable whiff to her front door: nicely fertilized flowers. Aronson’s story of a scatological stumper will elicit giggles (and probably offend some). The quiz and the paean to poo at the close add a little fun and science, respectively. Laberis’ digitally created cartoon illustrations are worthy of Disney—if Disney did doo-doo. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Stinky science with a sprinkle of silly. (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews