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.


remember the age range   December 1, 1999
 32 out of 46 found this review helpful

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.


I want to hoard this book (IT'S MINE!)   September 2, 2002
 27 out of 29 found this review helpful

GREAT! What other word can possibly come to mind reading The Stinky Cheese Man? I originally bought this book for my niece and nephew, Kayla and Greg. But before I gave it to them I read it myself and I simply could not stop laughing.

The best way to describe this to parents and adults is: it's a combination of Rocky and Bullwinkle (working on two humor levels), Mad Magazine, Mother Goose, and absolute literary anarchy. If you're an adult and have any sense of humor whatsoever you're going to laugh out loud. The best way to describe this to parents is to quote Greg, 10, who, upon being told he'd get this book said: "GREAT! It has those funny stories and those crazy drawings. I love it!!"

How did author Jon Scieszka and illustrator hit on a book that truly appeals to ALL ages? The book is a parody, moving visually and in its text as fast as a guided missle, but never for one millisecond underestimating the intelligence of its kid -- or adult -- readership. My Special 10 Year Anniversary Edition of this book contained a "Long Lost Stupid Fairy Tale" printed under the cover, the Boy Who Cried Cow Patty, a take off of the boy who cried "Wolf." (There is a less kid friendly version of this great story circulating on the internet).

Once you open the book (and I will not give it all away) you are immediately comedically clobbered with the Little Red Hen, who can't wait until the title page is seen to start her story and is upset with the management. Fonts, page layout, are all satirized or exploited for maximum laughs. Any kid who has ever had a fairy tale read to him/her and looked at a typical fairy tale book will get the visual joke immediately. So this book is not only a book they can read but a book that will make them WANT to read MORE...and see that reading can truly be FUN.

But it's the screamingly funny text and outrageously zany illustrations that have made this book a (well-deserved) legend. Even though it contains the alleged Surgeon General's stamp-disclaimer warning that it "has been determined that these tales are fairly stupid and probably dangerous to your health" these nutty stories are anything but dangerous. The bottom line is that they're comedy-parodies that make all ages think, but don't require a degree to get the joke. The book succeeds from its bonus tale printed under its book cover to its final silly page.

Tales include Chicken Licken with its great ending (comedy coach Greg Dean writes that comedy is a "shattered assumption" and that's what we get here and it's FUN); The Princess and the Bowling Ball (take off on the Princess and the Pea); The Really Ugly Duckling (probably a truer version of this tale than has ever appeared before); the Other Frog Prince (the frog wants a kiss...but what is he??); Little Red Running Shorts; Jack's Bean Problem, Cinderumpelstiltskin; the Tortoise and the Hair; and the absolute all time classic The Stinky Cheese Man, a superb satire of the Gingerbread man with a laugh-out-loud ending.

This book SHOULD be titled "The Stinkey Cheese Man and Other Absolutely Hilarious Witty Tales." If you like satire/parody and want your kids (or you) to read an upscale Mad-type take off on fairy tales, this book is for YEW! Now my only problem is: where can I HIDE this book after the kids read it, so I can keep it for myself???


Irresistable!   July 10, 2000
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

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.


Important note to parents!   December 17, 1999
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

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?