Book excerpt: You don't want to mess with a skunk! When skunks are in trouble, they spray a stinky oil as far as 15 feet. Phew! The oil isn’t deadly, but the terrible smell makes other animals leave them alone. This is just one of the fascinating facts kids will discover as they explore the world of these smelly creatures. Large, eye-popping photos and clear, grade-appropriate text engage emergent readers as they learn all about the unique and gross ways skunks protect themselves. A section in the back of the book profiles another animal that protects itself in a similar way, to help reinforce the concept of defense mechanisms.