Operation Scrub-A-Dub Skunk by Kristy Jo Volchko

Operation Scrub-A-Dub Skunk Reviews

• 
  Sharone Powell

  The sweet critters of Cackleberry creek meet a creature they've never met before - a skunk. Siggy is hilarious, but he smells awfully bad. The critters join forced to wash him and try to get rid of the repulsive smell, but their attempts fail. Not even the perfumes they made work. Finally, they realize the problem is not with Siggy, but with them! If they really want to be friends with him, they must accept him the way he is. And the goose who had snubbed Siggy up until now has a brilliant solution!
  
  What a wonderful, sweet, sensitive book. It'd help your children think of issues of body image and discrimination, all while laughing at funny jokes and mishaps, reading, and enjoying the pretty illustrations.
• 
  Erik Nelson

  I hardly read children's stories anymore but when I came across author Kristy Volchko, I read her story and to be honest, I got a little teary eyed. Not because I was becoming nostalgic about the children's books that I used to read in my youth but because it touched me on a personal level.
  The story is about a skunk named Siggy who first comes in contact with a frog named Lulu. Lulu is getting ready for her friend Davy's surprise party and after meeting Siggy, she invites him to Davy's party. Now she is aware of Siggy's skunk smell but she doesn't realize that it's coming from him. Later when he arrives at the party, they all realize that the stench is coming from him. After witnessing their reaction to his smell, he begins to leave the party in shame and embarrassment. However, Lulu and the friends offer to give him a bath in hopes that it will rid the smell. He's skeptical about it but is willing to try. After several failed attempts, Lulu and her friends decide to go to Bill, the wise old bullfrog. He's the one who usually has the answers to problems in their area. But will he have the answer to Siggy's problem?
  As I said before, this story touched me on a personal level. It did because I had and continue to have a problem that is beyond my control. I have a speech problem and for the most part, I'm able to manage it but sometimes, I'm not so successful. Siggy of course doesn't have the same problem I have but it's similar because it's beyond his control. I really love how Kristy was able to teach such a good lesson in a simple story. Now the lesson is pretty basic but you know what, sometimes the most basic messages are the important ones. I also really love how Lulu's friends go through such lengths to try to help Siggy. Children must learn that lesson because there are a lot of adults who do probably tell their kids to try to help one another but at the same time don't do it themselves. What I really love about Siggy is how he has a sense of humor about himself. He jokes about his stench a few times in the story and I myself sometimes make a joke about my speech problem. Like if someone finishes a sentence for me, they'll apologize for doing that and then I respond with this; "If I can't finish my own sentence, then who will?"
• 
  Oleg Konovalov

  Surprise yourself and your kids, read this book. And read it again. This fourth instalment of the Cackleberry Creek by Kristy Jo Volchok is masterly grabbing all senses from the first line and drives to a great world of the Kristy Jo Volchok story’s plot. Kids, and parents as well, learning a lot about friendship, kindness, compassion and how to stay strong and emotionally pure in every turn of life. Help others and be better yourself, your friends are the biggest asset you can have – important lesson for all. Excellent book for kids and parents.
• 
  Jeff Hopp

  True friends except each other for who the are
  
  This is a really entertaining and well written adventure story. It follows a group of frogs who throw a surprise birthday party for their friend and have a bit of an issue with a skunk who joins the party. They learn compassion and exceptance and what it means to really be a friend. Nicely illustrated with fun and colorful characters and settings.
• 
  R. Amory

  I was gifted a copy of Operation Scrub a dub skunk by the author for an honest review and it's a book I'd have loved for my children when they were coming up. It's extremely creative with its various riddles, A+ illustrations, and slapstick humor. The to the point storyline is engaging for any age, adult or child, and never lags. Dig beneath the glitzy art and humor? You'll find a core meaning within the solid structure of this inspiring tale about fairness and what real friendship means. All children should read this book. My highest recommendation.
  
  Five stars on everything!
  
  R.L. Amory Reviews