The Secret Life of the Skunk

by Laurence Pringle, Kate Garchinsky (Illustrator)

Overview

Discover the secret behaviors of a notoriously stinky mammal--the skunk--by following a family as the kits grow from infancy to adulthood.

The celebrated Secret Life series continues with a determined mother skunk and her five kits. Young readers will learn about their hidden lives as the skunk kits grow and explore their world, escape predators, and hunt for food. Here is a story of family and survival packed with science terminology, depictions of skunk behavior, and information about skunks' habitats, diets, and sounds. And stunning illustrations invite readers to get closer than they ever could in reality to these skunks' secret lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635923483
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	06/02/2020
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
Lexile:	920L (what's this?)
File size:	69 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Laurence Pringle has written more than one hundred books for children and teenagers, including the Strange and Wonderful series and the Secret Life series, among other award-winning science titles. Internationally, his books have sold more than three million copies.

Kate Garchinsky was born and raised just upstream of John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, and received her BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, with a focus in nature and children's literature. Visit penguinart.com.

Editorial Reviews

Maligned and malodorous…but oh, so interesting. Skunks may not be everyone's favorites, but they are fascinating. The smoothly written, gentle narrative explores the life of a family from birth in early spring to the kits' independence in late fall. Sweet—really: Animal lovers will find much to appreciate here, and report writers are well served.” – Kirkus Reviews

"Packed with interesting facts and beautiful digital illustrations, this nonfiction book will entice early readers and student researchers alike. Back matter includes more information about skunks as well as a glossary and a list of additional resources. Young readers will enjoy the lyrical text and warm illustrations..." — School Library Journal 

From the Publisher

08/01/2019

K-Gr 4—Pringle introduces readers to five young skunks as they cuddle close in the secret burrow their mother made deep in the ground. The striped skunks are nurtured by their mother for several weeks. At about five weeks old, the kits are ready to venture out of their burrow to learn to hunt for food under maternal supervision. The author depicts the fascinating journey of growth and discovery from early spring through summer as the skunks learn how to survive and prepare for a life without their mother. Packed with interesting facts and beautiful digital illustrations, this nonfiction book will entice early readers and student researchers alike. Back matter includes more information about skunks as well as a glossary and a list of additional resources. VERDICT Young readers will enjoy the lyrical text and warm illustrations in this fourth book in the author's "Secret Life" series.—Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY

School Library Journal

2019-05-26
Maligned and malodorous…but oh, so interesting.

Skunks may not be everyone's favorites, but they are fascinating. They live cozily in dark burrows deep underground. Kits, born while the weather is still cold, are fed and well protected by their mothers; as summer approaches, the youngsters emerge outside with "Mom" under cover of darkness and begin to forage independently. With fall's arrival, they prepare for winter dormancy. As for those noxious aromas that make for skunks' off-putting reputation? Before relying on their ultimate weapon, skunks actually give predators and other mischief-makers a variety of advance warnings. Readers may be surprised to learn that the unwelcome sprays of smelly musk are given off only when other warnings go unheeded; afterward, unfortunate would-be attackers have learned not to target this prey again. The smoothly written, gentle narrative explores the life of a family from birth in early spring to the kits' independence in late fall. Unfamiliar vocabulary is italicized; definitions appear in a glossary. The endearing digital illustrations, embellished in aqua crayon, have the chalky appearance of oil pastels, which highlights the skunks' furriness. The primarily dark backgrounds, softened with some bright touches, effectively cast the skunks' black-and-white coats into sharp relief, the deep shades also reinforcing the striped creatures' nocturnal existence.

Sweet—really: Animal lovers will find much to appreciate here, and report writers are well served. (author's note, glossary, bibliography) (Informational picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews