Many people dislike skunks, but this is primarily due to misconceptions about them. For instance, they are not normally smelly creatures, and they do not pose a threat to humans. In fact, they are beneficial, as they eat creatures that tend to ruin gardens. They also scavenge animal carcasses, which removes carrion from the environment. Through full-color photographs, informative fact boxes, and a detailed graphic organizer, readers learn all about the vital role skunks play in a forest ecosystem. A list of books and websites provides a jumping-off point for further research.