Skunk and Badger

Amy Timberlake (author)

Jon Klassen (illustrator)

September 15, 2020

Algonquin Young Readers

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Blurb: 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 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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Badger has been living in Aunt Lula’s brownstone for a while when there’s a knock at the door. Well, its can’t be Aunt Lula, but who could it be? It turns out that it’s Skunk. And all of those letters from Aunt Lula that Badger hasn’t read? They were asking and then telling Badger that Skunk would be his new housemate. This is how this wonderful story, Skunk and Badger, by Amy Timberlake begins.

Badger is very protective of his space. He has a rock room where he does his very important rock work. A box room on the bedroom floor devoted to boxes. So he gives Skunk the very special guest closet as his sleeping quarters despite the fact that Aunt Lula has asked that Skunk be given a bedroom on the second floor.

Skunk, finding the special guest closet too small, breaks down most of the boxes in the box room and makes it a magical moon room.

Life as Badger’s known it experiences an immediate upheaval, which Badger who is stuck in his ways, is not appreciative of. So he sends a letter to Aunt Lula to say that the current situation just won’t work out.

As the story goes on Badger waffles between enjoying Skunk’s company, cooking, and surprises, and wanting to remain in his old life.

Skunk and Badger is a delightful, odd-couple situation in which characters learn that life is better when there’s someone to share it with as well as to cook yummy foods for you. That conversations and sharing ideas and thoughts can make your experiences better. And that sometimes it’s hard to admit that you’re wrong, but that life is better after you do.

With charming pictures by Jon Klassen, fun rhymes, and an appealing story, Skunk and Badger tugs on the heartstrings and is sure to please children and adults.

The hardcopy book, received courtesy of the publisher, is of beautiful quality with several color illustrations and nice weight paper. The illustrations are engaging. A definite keeper that is sure to be read over and over.

Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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rating:

4 butterflies and a ladybug out of 5 butterflies

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