Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year!

Meet Olga, the amazing child scientist who LOVES animals (because they are super-cute)! Brightly put this heavily illustrated don't-miss book on their "Ultimate Summer Reading List for 9- to 12-Year-Olds."

Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere is jam-packed with fun: vibrant illustrations, word bubbles, quirky humor, olgamus facts, and plenty of excitement for readers who love making discoveries and meeting new friends. Olga is a charming combination of independent, curious, and smart—making her the coolest girl scientist around—perfect for fans of Dork Diaries and Captain Underpants.

When Olga crosses paths with a weird creature and becomes the first kid to discover the species olgamus ridiculus, she is ecstatic! What does an olgamus eat? How does it poop? Why does its burp sound like the word rubber? With her trusty observation notebook and the help of a librarian, a shopkeeper, and some friends, Olga sets out to do science—learning the facts about her smelly, almost-furry pal and searching for him when he goes missing. The scientific method is the best way to discover anything!

But what happens when the scientific method can’t find your best friend?

Quirky Girl Protagonist: Meet Olga, a kid scientist who prefers animals to people and plans to have a monkey lab assistant named Herbert. Illustrated Middle Grade: Laugh out loud with a story told through comics, Olga’s handwritten observation notes, and hilarious doodles on every page. A New Species to Discover: Is it a hamster? A potato? An alien? It’s an olgamus ridiculus, and Olga is determined to learn all its secrets—including why it poops rainbow-colored marbles! Heartfelt Friendship Story: When her smelly new pal goes missing, Olga must use all her scientific smarts (and help from some new human friends) to bring her home.