A backward skunk, whose stripe is on his front instead of his back, tries to correct the situation so the other animals will know who he is.

Solitary, nocturnal creatures, skunks generally go about their business unnoticed. But then there’s that thing they do . . . and oh, boy, when they do it, no one can ignore them. But there’s far more to skunks than their stench, and with this beautifully illustrated entry in Reaktion’s Animal series, Alyce Miller gives these furry scavengers their due. More than being unappreciated, skunks, Miller reveals, have a long history of persecution: killed off as smelly nuisances, they have also been hunted for their fur and, yes, their unique musk, which has found a perhaps unexpected use in perfume. Moving from nature to culture, Miller delves into the long line of skunks that have played parts in literature, film, and folklore, from the antics of Pepe Le Pew to the role of skunks in Native American spiritual beliefs. As growing urban wildlife populations bring humans and skunks ever closer, Miller’s book will help us understand—and appreciate—these beautiful, intriguing, and wholly distinct animals.

Tested by teachers in their own classrooms, the 600 educational activities collected in this book are designed to help five-year-olds develop physical, cognitive, language, and social skills, and are divided into 24 themes, such as art, games, holidays, math, music, outdoor play, nature, and snacks.

The illustrated classic, complete with a new preface by Matt Groening. Winner of three Academy Awards and numerous other prizes for his animated films, Chuck Jones is the director of scores of famous Warner Bros. cartoons and the creator of such memorable characters as the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Pepé Le Pew, and Marvin Martian. In this beguiling memoir, Chuck Jones evokes the golden years of life at "Termite Terrace," the Warner Bros. studio in which he and his now-famous fellow animators conceived the cartoons that delighted millions of moviegoers throughout the world and entertain new generations of fans on television. Not a mere history, Chuck Amuck captures the antic spirit that created classic cartoons-such as Duck Dodgers in the 241/2 Century, One Froggy Evening, Duck Amuck, and What's Opera, Doc?-with some of the wittiest insights into the art of comedy since Mark Twain.

Organized by month, with a special section just for toddlers, you will find easy-to-do song-related activities that span the curriculum in areas such as math, art, and language. Accompanying each song are ideas for themes and list of children's books, records, and tapes to provide learning connections.

Looks at the lives and careers of more than three hundred animators.

The director of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Road Runner cartoons discusses his childhood influences, gives advice on how to draw, and reveals how his characters were created