About the Holiday
It’s been a week since Thanksgiving Day – do you still have leftovers in your fridge? Are there plastic containers on the shelves holding food just waiting to be warmed up for a lunch or dinner that never seems to come? Perhaps there are even some mysteries lurking in the back. If so, then today’s the day to take the plunge and clean it all out to make room for fresh fruit, veggies, and other goodies!
The Case of the Stinky Stench
Written by Josh Funk | Illustrated by Brendan Kearney
The fridge is full and the denizens happy. Even former rivals Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are enjoying a sweet vacation together at the Marshmallow Coast. But wait! Who is that strange, half-moon shape rushing “past Trifle Tower” and “across Taco Bridge”? It’s none other than Sir French Toast’s nephew, Inspector Croissant, with a disturbing message. “‘Uncle,’ Croissant said, ‘the fridge is in trouble! / A horrible stench turned a whole shelf to rubble! / I’m the last hope, or the fridge will be lost! / Help me, or else we’ll be cooked, served, and sauced.’”
Image copyright Brendan Kearney, text copyright Josh Funk. Courtesy of Sterling Books.
Just as he says this, the facts begin to stink for themselves, and French Toast pledges his help. It’s a do-or-die case for Croissant it seems, as he’s “solved zero cases since getting this job.” Lady Pancake decides the perp is Baron von Waffle and suggests the three pay him a visit. They quietly enter Onion Ring Cave, and Croissant confronts von Waffle. “‘What do you know about smells that are vicious?’ / ‘Nothing!’ said Waffle. ‘My home smells delicious.’” And he’s right; there’s nothing nose-worthy here. Lady Pancake, Sir French Toast and Inspector Croissant leave the cave only to find that the odor has worsened. They follow some tater tots playing nearby to a red curry dish, where an okra divulges an intriguing clue about “a stinky red fish / who lurks at the bottom of Corn Chowder Lake,’” but in his rush to investigate, Croissant trips “by Miss Steak” and goes flying.
Image copyright Brendan Kearney, text copyright Josh Funk. Courtesy of Sterling Books.
Back on his feet, the intrepid detective and his side-kicks find a sardine-can boat and row across Corn Chowder Lake until they find the “red herring.” They’re convinced that they’ve “unraveled this stinky affair,” but rowing closer, they catch a tantalizing scent instead of a treacherous one. Lady Pancake is ready to give up, but not Inspector Croissant. He sticks his nose in the air and concludes that the smell hails from Casserole Cliff.
When they get to the cliff, they discover a shriveled up mess. The veggies are soft and the fruit a bit rotten, but Inspector Croissant sees the cause of the trouble—“a moldy old fruitcake from eight months ago!” The three are mulling how to get rid of this putrid pest when the fruitcake shares his story, which is all too familiar. The cake confesses that he came to the fridge as a fresh, yummy treat but was left there uneaten to mold and to reek.
Image copyright Brendan Kearney, text copyright Josh Funk. Courtesy of Sterling Books.
The inspector understands a few things about food, and as he leads the sad culprit away from the cliff, he explains, “Everyone knows fruitcakes never go stale.” With careful trimming they clean up the cake. Soon the fruitcake is back to his delectable self and has attracted the attention of softhearted Miss Brie while the other foods welcome him back with good cheer and a party to boot.
With the case solved, kids are invited to join the swingingest party in town. As “Spuddy Holly and the Croquettes,” fill the fridge with music, the residents jiggle, wiggle, and dance with abandon across a two-page spread. A fold-down page presents a map that lets readers follow the action from Taco Bridge to Onion Ring Cave to Casserole Cliff and all the stops in between.
Image copyright Brendan Kearney, text copyright Josh Funk. Courtesy of Sterling Books.
Just reading the first line of The Case of the Stinky Stench with its familiar, exuberant rhythm, I caught a smile creeping across my face as I anticipated the story to come. This sequel to Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast is a cool, fresh take on the mystery genre for little detectives in the—dare I say?—baking. The most delicious part of The Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast series is Funk’s freewheeling imagination that comes to fruition in the expanse of that well-stocked refrigerator’s shelves. Clever rhymes, laugh-inducing puns, a whole stew—I mean slew—of fantastic words, and even a red herring await readers. Of course, old nemesis Baron von Waffle makes an appearance, and the introduction of the forgotten fruitcake shows kids that everyone deserves a second chance.
Brendan Kearney recreates the magic of this chef’s-delight of a refrigerator in full, vivid color and with the most adorable foods ever. Pink and white marshmallows, half-moon tacos, muffins, candy, cookies, and gummy bears all wear cute smiles, as they help Inspector Croissant. Even when the odor becomes overwhelming, the bottles, jars, fruit, and veggies sport endearing frowns. Rambunctious tater tots, hot chili peppers, and a steak-and-fries combo, join the fun. Kids will find ingenious details and visual jokes on every page, and will wish their refrigerators were half as exciting as the home of Lady Pancake and French Toast.
Ages 5 – 8
Sterling Children’s Books, 2017 | ISBN 978-1454919605
Discover the world of Josh Funk, his books, and activities for kids on his website!
View a gallery of illustration work and books by Brendan Kearney on his website!
It’s no mystery that you’ll enjoy The Case of the Stinky Stench book trailer!
Throw Out Your Leftovers Day Activity
Bite-size Cinnamon Croissants
These mini cinnamon croissants are the perfect accompaniment to cup of tea and a great story! They’re so easy that kids will love making them as much as they enjoy eating them! And everyone will enjoy eating them so much that there will never be leftovers!
Supplies
- Tube of refrigerated crescent rolls
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Small mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Knife
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, or to the temperature on the package of crescent rolls
- Open the tube of crescent rolls and lay them on a cutting board. Do Not separate the rolls
- With the rolling pin, roll the dough until it makes one sheet
- Measure ¼ cup sugar into the mixing bowl
- Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or desired amount) to the sugar and stir together until well mixed
- Spread a layer of butter over the surface of the dough
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar across the dough. Use more or less depending on how much cinnamon flavor you like
- Cut the dough into triangles about two to three inches wide at the base
- Roll the triangles up, starting at the base. Looser rolls make flakier croissants
- Place the croissants on a baking sheet and curve them into a crescent shape
- Bake the croissants at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes, or until golden on top
- Let cool
- Enjoy!
You can find The Case of the Stinky Stench at these booksellers
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million | IndieBound
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