Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite

Joaquiner Stinker is a children’s picture book written by Cuauhtemoc Cortez with illustrations by J. Humbert Felix. It follows Joaquiner, a stinky skunk who wishes to make friends. Unfortunately, because of his overwhelming smell, the other animals always stay away from him. Joaquiner tries everything to get rid of the stench. He tries long baths and dousing himself with strong perfumes, but nothing works. That smell just sticks. Still, he doesn’t give up. Then he gets the idea to wear a jumpsuit that covers him. He builds the suit, and as soon as he puts it on, the other animals seem happy to have him around, and he starts playing games with them. For a while, everything’s great. But then, his suit rips and his stink escapes and fills the air. Suddenly everyone can smell him again. Joaquiner feels embarrassed and rejected. He starts to give up—until his friends step up and show him what real friendship means, and their little act of kindness changes everything for him.

Joaquiner Stinker is a fun, heartwarming story not just about being the odd one out; it’s about finding creative ways to deal with feeling alone, and seeing how much it matters when people choose to be kind. Even though it delves into emotional topics like worrying that you don’t fit in, there’s also plenty of humor, thanks to silly animal character names and Cuauhtemoc Cortez’s playful narrative style, which is a perfect match for kids. What really stuck with me about this story is how much empathy and openness matter. Readers will fall in love with these characters. They will also wonder what they would do if they were in these characters' shoes. When you drop your prejudices and give someone a real chance, you start seeing what’s good about them—even if there’s a stink. The illustrations pop with color, and every animal’s face tells its own story. It’s a great reminder to accept others (and yourself) with open arms, flaws and all.