Wallace and Gromit meets Winnie-the-Pooh in a fresh take on a classic odd-couple friendship, from Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake with full-color and black-and-white illustrations throughout by Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen. No one wants a skunk. They are unwelcome on front stoops. They should not linger in Important Rock Rooms. Skunks should never, ever be allowed to move in. But Skunk … never, ever be allowed to move in. But Skunk is Badger’s new roommate, and there is nothing Badger can do about it.
When Skunk plows into Badger’s life, everything Badger knows is upended. Tails are flipped. The wrong animal is sprayed. And why-oh-why are there so many chickens?
“Nooooooooooooooooooooo!”
Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake spins the first tale in a series about two opposites who need to be friends.
New York Times bestselling author/illustrator and Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen completes the book with his signature lushly textured art. This beautifully bound edition contains both full-color plates and numerous black-and-white illustrations.
Skunk and Badger is a book you’ll want to read, reread, and read out loud . . . again and again.
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SKUNK AND BADGER is a marvelously imaginative middle-grade book. It hits that sweet spot of a chapter book that’d be fun for young readers to enjoy by themselves, but it’d be wonderful to read aloud, too–I enjoyed it myself! It’s a story about silly things like breakfast and chickens, and it also tackles serious topics like difference, kindness, friendship, and accountability. Indeed, it’s one of the best books I have ever read, for any age, about how to confront the consequences of your actions honestly, and how to apologize sincerely to someone you have hurt. PS. The illustrations by Jon Klassen are pure gold.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Living alone in his Aunt Lula’s brownstone, Badger developed rather austere sensibilities. Badger likes peace and quiet, predictability, and, perhaps most of all, rocks. Badger definitely does not like noise, change, or…Skunks. But when energetic Skunk—who travels with a troupe of quantum chickens—shows up on the doorstep of the irascible, ukulele-playing rock-scientist Badger, with the news that they are to be roommates, there is nothing Badger can do about it. His life is upended. No matter how much Badger resists, chaos, clutter, and hundreds of chickens, follow Skunk wherever he goes. To make matters worse, carefree, passionate Skunk has no intention of living a quiet life, cleaning up his breakfast in a timely manner, or keeping out of Important Rock Rooms. Skunk and Badger must find a way to discover delight, curiosity, and bravery amid a big change.
REVIEW
Thank you Algonquin Young Readers for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
SKUNK AND BADGER, by Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake and Caldecott Medal illustrator Jon Klassen, has received THREE starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, and Booklist. It’s also a Fall Kids Indie Next Pick.
Think you’re too old to read a children’s book? Well, think again! This book is beyond
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! I read a good number of young adult and children’s books, and Skunk And Badger has earned a place among my all time favorites. I think it would be difficult not to love this story.
The illustrations are warm and inviting, with a vintage feel as well, and are simple but striking. I loved both the color and black and white renderings throughout the book. My favorite has to be Breakfast is the nicest meal.
I empathize with poor Badger. I don’t like people touching and moving my things, unexpected guests or breaks in my routine. The arrival of free spirited Skunk is an unwelcome shake up to Badger’s entire way of life. It is a huge problem! Skunk brings change, and change is bad. Then again, maybe change is a chance to grow outside of your little box?
Skunk is a fly by the seat of your pants sort of guy, and he can’t understand how Badger can be so mundane and isolated. As a skunk, he’s not necessarily wanted anywhere because of the negativity associated with his kind. Imagine how dejected Skunk must feel! They are as opposite as can be, just as we are, too. The story cleverly and insightfully demonstrates how different, even clashing, personalities and lifestyles can disagree but still live harmoniously. Should everyone be the same? How boring!
Skunk and Badger is timely and extremely relevant for society at this moment. Not just kids, adults can learn a lot from this deceptively simple children’s story. Give different things and people a chance instead of making assumptions and judging. I know we all can be better people!
I had been trying to win Skunk and Badger on Goodreads for quite awhile, so when Algonquin Young Readers asked if I’d be interested in reading and reviewing it, I literally squealed. The story is adorable and full of important learning opportunities for children and the illustrations thrill my vintage loving heart. They’re just so full of warmth and charm, perfectly matched to the writing and story itself.
This is a story of odd couples. Think Oscar and Felix, Frog and Toad, Wallace and Gromit…odd couples that make friendship work despite all their quirky differences. Now we can add Skunk and Badger to these charming duos.
Badger lived alone, in the tidy brownstone that belonged to his Aunt Lula, and kept to himself doing his important rock work. One day Skunk turns up at the door with his little red suitcase, excited to be Badger’s new roommate. Badger, however, never read the letters from Aunt Lula, so he had no idea he was going to have a roommate. He was less than happy about it, especially as he started seeing Skunk’s lively, outgoing, personality.
throughout the story, we see Badger being quick to judge and not okay with change. Badger slowly learns that different doesn’t equal bad, it’s just different from him and what he knows. He learns acceptance of others and change, caring, how to build friendships. It isn’t all smooth sailing and things do go awry midway, and I love the way Timberlake had them work their way through the difficulties. The humor peppered throughout helped keep it lighthearted for kids.
I can’t wait to see more adventures of Skunk and Badger!
Thank you Algonquin Young Readers and Amy Timberlake for my review copy!