Making Scents
Written by Arthur Yorinks
Illustrated by Braden Lamb and Shelli Paroline
First Second Books
Mickey isn't quite like his brothers and sisters.
They're all stronger, faster, and have a much better sense of smell. That’s because his "brothers and sisters" are dogs—bloodhounds, to be exact. Mickey’s mom and dad are crazy about canines. Their dogs are the loves of their lives and their livelihood. So, naturally, they’re raising their son as if he was a dog, and Mickey wants nothing more than to make his parents proud.
Just as Mickey is mastering the art of sniffing, a tragic accident forever changes his happy family. Mickey is sent to live with relatives he's never met—relatives who are not fond of kids . . . and who hate dogs!
Praise for Making Scents
"Set against a bygone backdrop completely lacking in any nods to contemporary technology, Lamb and Paroline's catchy three-color illustrations establish the retro-styled ambiance." —Kirkus
"Children who have experienced loss will relate to this warm and slightly fantastical tale. A solid choice for most graphic novel collections." —School Library Journal
"Yorinks pulls off a tricky feat; he creates a set of characters who are difficult to like, then makes readers care about them." —Publishers Weekly
"Gorgeous, melancholy graphic novel." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Humor stems naturally from the absurdity of thepremise, while the heartfelt moments are as tender as they come. "—Horn Book