Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells: Based on Quentin Cottington's Journal of Faery Research

...because Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells is, aside from nicely done art (by Brian Froud) and brilliant satire (by Terry Jones), a fairly good glimpse into the sort of creatures that are around even if you don't want them to be, even if you aren't the sort to have pixies and goblins about because you don't believe in them or believe in them so much it creeps the little creatures out. Check under your VCR or underneath the layer of papers covering a desk to see what I mean, as you've probably got Doggitus Mucilagus sticking some loose change to the wood. Extremely funny and far from fiction, get it for yourself and as a gift for your favourite neat-freak.

Hilarious and all-together head-scratching, as you find yourself realizing they're talking about something you've been wondering about all along. You may have thought you were the only one undergoing the cruel and unusual punishment of these noxious fumes and stains, but here you find you are not alone... If you're going to read this aloud as a bed-time book or as a book of quotations, you are required by law to read it aloud with an English accent. If you cannot speak with an English accent or if it is terrible beyond measure, please read silently. Don't even mouth the words as you read. If by chance, you meet someone who is talking about smells and stains in a bad English accent, smack him. If he's bigger than you, you may let him off with a warning...or politely kick him and run, because big guys take longer to build up the inertia to accelerate than little guys. If he doesn't catch you and is breathing heavily, then run up to him and smack him. That should get the point across.

...but also a bit disarming! Some of the stains and "odor" illustrations in the book look... well, "fresh". I'm not altogether sure that I want to know how the book publisher achieved this effect, but it definately adds bonus points in my mind.So, the authors of the book claim to have found a gadget that allows them to communicate with smells and stains. Odd, to think that such things are sentient, but nonetheless, their commentary is, of course, hilarious.Not that I mean to give anything away, but my personal favorite is "The Great Stain of the Apocalypse" and the theory surrounding it. You'll have to get the book (which I recommend) to find out more!

This book seems to be very creative and should stimulate excellent discussion and interaction in class for middle level students. The stories in the book should easily stimulate creative writing by students. Some of the art work my be somewhat objectionable.

It's sort of the continuation to Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book.It's really funny! Terry Jones, one of the members of Monty Pythons Flying Circus wrote this book so right off the bat you know it's gonna be funny and it is! So get it!