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Polecat Has a Superpower

Author Jill Esbaum

Illustrated by Bob Shea

Hardcover

$18.99 US

Penguin Young Readers | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

8-3/4"W x 10-3/4"H | 20 oz | 24 per carton

On sale Jul 15, 2025 | 32 Pages | 9780593699997

Age 5-8 years

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A factual (and funny) introduction to the polecat and its awesome, action-packed superpower, from the team that brought you Parrotfish Has a Superpower.

The polecat has a super cool superpower you’d probably never guess. Why? Well, first, he’s usually only awake when the rest of us are sleeping! Second, he is NOT a baby skunk, despite what everyone says, so he can do more than spray his predators. And third, his superpower isn’t something he normally shows to friends. But today he’s happy to show you (and one nervous porcupine) what it is! After we get to know him of course.

Will you be able to guess the superpower? Read this book to find out!

Jill Esbaum is a full-time writer and author of I am Cow, Hear Me Moo!, I Hatched!, Stanza, and Tom’s Tweet, among many others. She lives on a farm with her husband and children in Dixon, IA. View titles by Jill Esbaum

Bob Shea is the author-illustrator of the award-winning and bestselling Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, as well as Oh, Daddy!, New Socks, and I'm a Shark. He also wrote Big Plans, illustrated by Lane Smith. Bob lives in Connecticut with his family. View titles by Bob Shea

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Praise for Stinkbird Has a Superpower:
2024 Buckeye Book Award Nominee
A Fuse #8 Best Book of the Year

* “This comical picture book about the Amazonian hoatzin swoops in to delight readers with funny facts, and Shea’s smooth and textural digital illustrations and eye for composition effectively create a child-like stinkbird perspective . . . Educational narration pairs with bantering dialogue to portray a loving relationship between father and son.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

“Cheerful and humorous . . . This book would be a treat for a nature-themed storytime. A lively glimpse of a weird and wonderful bird.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Effusive . . . The peppy, unmistakably fact-forward text gets plenty of zhuzh via digital images by Shea. Flat, tropical colors and layers of leaves convey the rainforest’s lushness while providing a suitably theatrical backdrop for an idiosyncratic family’s celebration of pride.” —Publishers Weekly

Praise for Parrotfish Has a Superpower:
A Junior Library Guild Selection

“The creators of Stinkbird Has a Superpower (2023) have produced another informative, funny, and engaging tale centered on a bizarre animal fact. . .As in Stinkbird, Shea’s colorful cartoon illustrations add greatly to the humor. The lively presentation and ick factor make this a winner. A strikingly original look at a most unusual marine creature.” –Kirkus Reviews

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