Discovering Delight: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
As a mom, nighttime reading can sometimes feel like a dramatic showdown between my kids’ wild imaginations and my yearning for a peaceful conclusion to the day. Just last week, after negotiating with my three-year-old over whether to read a beloved classic or a new find, I stumbled upon The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith. With colorful cover art and a title that promised mischief, it felt like a fun option for our bedtime rituals.
At first glance, this book is a treasure trove of creatively absurd retellings of well-known fairy tales—think "The Princess and the Bowling Ball" and "Cinderrumpelstiltskin." The moments I’ve spent curled up on the couch with my kiddos, flipping through the pages, have been a delightful departure from traditional stories. The book’s unique format—where the table of contents is hilariously misplaced, and characters scramble through their tales like they’re in a chaotic puzzle—kept my little ones transfixed. My five-year-old giggled uncontrollably as "Jack," the narrator, interacted with characters, questioning their motivations and timelines. It was an invitation to break the fourth wall, igniting vivid conversations about what would happen if fairytale rules didn’t exist.
One thing that truly shines in this book are the illustrations. Lane Smith’s quirky art captures every detail—from the smirking stinky cheese man (who my kids now fondly refer to as "that funny cheese guy") to the oddly charming images accompanying each story. We spent a good portion of our reading session poring over the illustrations, discovering new jokes or hidden details with every pass. "Look, Mom! Here’s the cat from ‘The Princess and the Bowling Ball’ peeking out!" said my daughter one evening. It was in these moments of exploration that I felt a bond deepening among us, encouraged by laughter and wonder.
Of course, not every tale within the book held equal weight in our hearts. I found "The Stinky Cheese Man" himself a little lackluster compared to gems like "The Really Ugly Duckling." However, hearing my kids cheer over the tortoise and the hair story—“Mom, can you believe the hare thinks he can grow his hair faster than the tortoise can run?”—had us all in stitches. It was a joyful reminder that funny moments are often the best parts of storytelling.
For any parent looking to encourage a love for reading or craving a splash of humor in their nightly routine, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales comes highly recommended. It’s perfect for ages four and up, especially those who adore silliness and playfulness. This isn’t just a one-time read; it’s a book that promises to be revisited on rainy afternoons and cozy nights.
After all, life with young children is often chaotic, and it’s moments like these—filled with laughter and connection over the absurdities of fairytales—that make the journey so worthwhile. I can’t wait to see how my kids engage with these stories in the years to come, and I might just cherish it as much as they do. Grab a cozy blanket, gather your little ones, and get ready for some wonderfully silly reading. You’ll be so glad you did!
Check out The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales on Goodreads >>
