The Case of the Stinky Stench

by

illustrated by

B ack in the kitchen and deep in the fridge, past Trifle Tower, across Taco Bridge, on a vacation at Marshmallow Coast, sat Lady Pancake beside Sir French Toast.

Knocking down syrup (from Northern Vermont), over the bridge came Inspector Croissant.

“Uncle,” Croissant said, “the fridge is in trouble!

A horrible stench turned a whole shelf to rubble!

I’m the last hope, or the fridge will be lost!

Help me, or else we’ll be cooked, served, and sauced.”

Nefarious odors began wafting by as French Toast replied, “I will certainly try.”

They started their search crossing Salsa Ravine,

And lumbered through smog around Mount Everbean.

Slowly they crept to the Onion Ring Cave.

“Baron Von Waffle,” said Toast, “you old knave!”

“What are you doing here?” Waffle said , sneering.

“I’m sleuthing,” Croissant said . “And you’re interfering.

What do you know about smells that are vicious?”

“Nothing!” said Waffle. “My home smells delicious.”

Rowing their fastest with carrot-stick oars, they studied the depths and they scanned all the shores.

“Ahoy!” cried Croissant. “A red herring! Right there!”

At last they’d unravel this stinky affair.

MAY 2017 “Uncle,” Croissant said, “the fridge is in trouble!

A mystery stench turned a whole shelf to rubble!

I’m the last hope or the fridge will be lost!

Help me or else we’ll be cooked, served, and sauced.”

There’s a stinky stench in the fridge—and our favorite foodie friends must solve a smelly mystery! Sir French Toast’s nephew, Inspector Croissant, begs him and Lady Pancake for help in finding the source of the foul odor. Could it be the devious Baron Von Waffle? A fetid fish lurking in the bottom of Corn Chowder Lake? Featuring the same delectable rhymes, wordplay, and art that won critical raves for Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast—there’s even an actual red herring—this fun follow-up is an absolutely tasty treat for kids!

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Featured book and author appearance at Winter Institute National print and online publicity campaign Digital focus on children’s book review and mommy blogs Trade and consumer advertising Book trailer Author events Activity kit available Pre-publication cover reveal online Author Skype visits to schools around the country Heavy author promotion on Twitter @JoshFunkBooks and on JoshFunkBooks.com

Josh Funk

is from MA where he spends his days writing computer language and his free time writing picture book rhymes. His first published picture book was Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast (Sterling) and he is the author of Pirasaurs (Scholastic), Dear Dragon (Viking), and the upcoming Albie Newton (Sterling, 2018).

Brendan Kearney

is an illustrator from the UK. While studying architecture at university, he realized he didn’t like rulers. He then discovered that it wasn’t essential to use a ruler when illustrating children’s books. Now he specializes in illustrating children’s books, bringing his own chaotic style and ideas to any project. He is also the illustrator of the first Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast and Bertie Wings It (both Sterling).

MAY 2017 $16.95 ($19.95 Canada) Hardcover with Jacket 10" x 10" • 40 pages ISBN: 9781454919605

For publicity inquiries, contact Lauren Tambini at (646) 688-2464 or ltambini@sterlingpublishing.com.

DISCLAIMER Reviewers are reminded that changes may be made in this uncorrected proof before books are printed. If any material from the book is to be quoted in a review, the quotation should be checked against the final bound book. Dates, prices, and manufacturing details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.