The Museum of Very Bad Smells: A Dare to Scratch ’n’ Sniff Mystery

A smelly egg is considered as valuable as one made by Fabergé in this picture book’s titular museum. So when the “WORLD FAMOUS Rotten Egg” goes missing right on opening day—its vitrine is smashed and empty—there’s no time to lose. An aficionado of the goofy picture book mystery, Arnaldo (Mr. S) transforms a round-faced rodent museum guard into a detective who relentlessly combs the building, “sniffing out clues.” And as the guard walks the halls, scratch and sniff insets release appropriately stinky smells, including fish and dung. Flashily hued ink and watercolor cartoons take readers on a merry chase through this improbable cultural attraction. Along with the actual smells, sight gags include displays of smelly shoes and one very moldy sandwich. Eventually, the culprit is revealed, resulting in a rambunctious chase, and the production of a final ooky olfactory tour de force that drives the crowd wild. Expect readers to ask for repeat readings—or else, to raise a stink. Ages 4–8. Agent: Alexandra Levick, Writers House. (July)