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Skunk and Badger #1
Skunk and Badger
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!"
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!"
124 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2020
239 people are currently reading
5779 people want to read
About the author
Amy Timberlake
25books187followersAmy Timberlake's work has received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar, and a Golden Kite Award. One book was chosen to be a Book Sense Pick, another was reviewed in The New York Times Book Review. Her books have made several "best books of the year" lists, and she loves it whenever her books are chosen to be part of a state reading list. (Thank you!) Chicago's Lifeline Theatre has adapted both One Came Home and The Dirty Cowboy for the stage. She's received residency fellowships from Hedgebrook, and the Anderson Center.
Her most recent book, One Came Home, has been called "a True Grit for the middle school set" by Bookpage, "a valentine to sisterhood and a bird that no longer exists" by The Washington Post, and "a rare gem of a novel" by The Christian Science Monitor.
Her most recent book, One Came Home, has been called "a True Grit for the middle school set" by Bookpage, "a valentine to sisterhood and a bird that no longer exists" by The Washington Post, and "a rare gem of a novel" by The Christian Science Monitor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,046 reviews
July 11, 2021
Badger lives in a little brownstone home thanks to the generosity of Aunt Lula, a pine martin.
Badger didn't normally shut the door on animals that knocked. But there was too much slick in this one's stripe...
All Badger wants is to be left alone to do his Important Rock Work but then...Aunt Lula invites a roommate to the brownstone.
"I am here!"Aunt Lula owns the brownstone, so Badger has to agree to her...but this skunk. Ohhh this skunk.
"You are," said Badger.
There was a pause.
Followed by another pause.
He really bristles Badger's fur.
The Skunk is always There and Present and In-The-Way.
"If I yell 'rock,' leave me alone."But...having a roommate also means someone to split the chores, to make food with and to talk about Important Rock Things.
"That is concerning. But okay."
Perhaps having a roommate wouldn't be so bad after all?
Oh man. This book was so bleeping cute.
Skunk and Badger had such a fun way of interacting with each other and the illustrations completely captured their personalities.
Badger's rock obsession was infectious. He would spout off rock facts and pull Skunk into all types of conversations involving his collection.
And Skunk's hilariously strong chicken connection really lightened the book.
The way they poked at each other and ultimately grew from the experience really warmed my heart.
All in all, I'm so happy with this book and I'm delighted that it is a series! I cannot wait for more!
A huge thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and Amy for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
| | | | | Snapchat @miranda_reads
June 6, 2024
This is a middle grade, and this is the first book in the Skunk and Badger series. I really enjoyed this book, and the message in this book was really good. The characters in this book was really good, and they where really developed. I really loved the skunk character in this book. The audiobook was really good, and I really love the narrator. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Algonquin Young Readers) or author (Amy Timberlake) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
September 16, 2020
This was adorable and nostalgic and everything we need to save us from 2020. A badger in a rut meets a skunk looking for a roommate—things will never be the same. Oh, and also there are chickens.
Writing: ★★★★�
Characters: ★★★★�
Enjoyment: ★★★★�
Badger is an Important Rock Scientist. He does Important Rock Things in his rock room, which is the living room of a brownstone building that his Aunt Lula lets him live in. Badger doesn't explore the city, he eats cereal everyday, and he never—ever—receives guests.
Then one day there is a knock at the door. Skunk has arrived.
Skunk was also told that he could live in Aunt Lula's brownstone. Aunt Lula thinks Badger needs a roommate. Aunt Lula also thinks Skunk needs a place to call home. (Life isn't easy for a skunk.) Badger didn't think he needed a roommate, but Lula owns the house so... Skunk is here to stay.
But it quickly becomes clear that Badger and Skunk have different ideas about life, noise, and...chickens?
What a cute, beautiful, heartwarming, and beautifully illustrated tale about two unlikely characters discovering what it means to be good. Skunk and Badger is the perfect tale for kids—the pleasing repetition of themes and sentence structure begs to be read aloud—and the themes of acceptance and love are applicable for all ages.
I loved reading this as an adult, so don't be shy! Beautiful story.
Thank you to Algonquin Books for Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Writing: ★★★★�
Characters: ★★★★�
Enjoyment: ★★★★�
Badger is an Important Rock Scientist. He does Important Rock Things in his rock room, which is the living room of a brownstone building that his Aunt Lula lets him live in. Badger doesn't explore the city, he eats cereal everyday, and he never—ever—receives guests.
Then one day there is a knock at the door. Skunk has arrived.
Skunk was also told that he could live in Aunt Lula's brownstone. Aunt Lula thinks Badger needs a roommate. Aunt Lula also thinks Skunk needs a place to call home. (Life isn't easy for a skunk.) Badger didn't think he needed a roommate, but Lula owns the house so... Skunk is here to stay.
But it quickly becomes clear that Badger and Skunk have different ideas about life, noise, and...chickens?
What a cute, beautiful, heartwarming, and beautifully illustrated tale about two unlikely characters discovering what it means to be good. Skunk and Badger is the perfect tale for kids—the pleasing repetition of themes and sentence structure begs to be read aloud—and the themes of acceptance and love are applicable for all ages.
I loved reading this as an adult, so don't be shy! Beautiful story.
Thank you to Algonquin Books for Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
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October 29, 2020
What a sweet middle grade story, sort of Frog and Toad meet the Odd Couple. There is a lot of rich (and often unstated) world building (what exactly is the relationship between the chickens and mammals? what sort of society is this? why does a badger know Hawaiian?) and the two main characters and their quirky interests are a delight. The plot has is a nice example of why kindness is important and selfishness can hurt others and yourself. And rocketpotato is my pick for 2020's breakout character. All in all this was a book that both my kids and I loved.
March 8, 2021
Not sure what age range this book is supposed to be for. At times it feels like it’s for really young kids but then goes into more complicated stuff? Talks about quantum physics a bit but still calls geology rock science? Goes from aggressively whimsical to borderline hard to read (crossing the line into almost poetry instead of prose). There’s sometimes this frenetic manic energy that wipes out the cozy feelings it otherwise elicits. Normally I love cutesy mesocarnivores in cute houses eating comfort food, but this went too preachy.
One of the major messages is “don’t judge others based on superficial characteristics� and we’re supposed to see all skunks are not bad, but then all stoats are EVIL. (Also, skunks eat young chickens in real life, so it’s not like we couldn’t just pretend we’re in vegetarian mammal zootopia) Not sure why you’d have both messages in a story, seems contradictory. The part where people are explaining how to do a good apology is frustratingly preachy (feels like it should be a picture book not an early chapter book).
Otherwise, they’re cute characters. The moments of them just chilling are adorable and it’s mostly when the book gets into plot that it gets annoying.
One last gripe- kinda sick of these books where an extrovert is sprung onto an introvert and then the introvert just has to learn to accept it and change their whole life to accommodate the other. Learning to be flexible and caring is good, but it would be good to see Skunk learn a lesson too. He apologies for the box thing, but then he basically asks Badger to give up his rock room and move it elsewhere and cool it with the rock tumbler. It would be fine if they compromised more there at the end - skunk can have all his chicken friends over and his game room and whatever, but badger gets his quiet rock time and they work out a compromise about when are good times to use the rock tumbler. Or just something where it doesn’t feel like the extrovert gets to walk all over the grumpy introvert (always the stereotype that the extrovert is the fun one that improves and expands the introvert’s life - would be cool to end with fieldwork and the two sharing quiet rock time together or something to see how they both help each other).
IDK just overthinking kid books again. Don’t mind me, the grumpy introvert who doesn’t want roommates!
One of the major messages is “don’t judge others based on superficial characteristics� and we’re supposed to see all skunks are not bad, but then all stoats are EVIL. (Also, skunks eat young chickens in real life, so it’s not like we couldn’t just pretend we’re in vegetarian mammal zootopia) Not sure why you’d have both messages in a story, seems contradictory. The part where people are explaining how to do a good apology is frustratingly preachy (feels like it should be a picture book not an early chapter book).
Otherwise, they’re cute characters. The moments of them just chilling are adorable and it’s mostly when the book gets into plot that it gets annoying.
One last gripe- kinda sick of these books where an extrovert is sprung onto an introvert and then the introvert just has to learn to accept it and change their whole life to accommodate the other. Learning to be flexible and caring is good, but it would be good to see Skunk learn a lesson too. He apologies for the box thing, but then he basically asks Badger to give up his rock room and move it elsewhere and cool it with the rock tumbler. It would be fine if they compromised more there at the end - skunk can have all his chicken friends over and his game room and whatever, but badger gets his quiet rock time and they work out a compromise about when are good times to use the rock tumbler. Or just something where it doesn’t feel like the extrovert gets to walk all over the grumpy introvert (always the stereotype that the extrovert is the fun one that improves and expands the introvert’s life - would be cool to end with fieldwork and the two sharing quiet rock time together or something to see how they both help each other).
IDK just overthinking kid books again. Don’t mind me, the grumpy introvert who doesn’t want roommates!
August 20, 2020
Badger has been living in his Aunt Lula’s brownstone for three years, and in those three years he’s managed to change things around the place in order to make it his own. Everything he needed now had a place, which was good for him, and now he could carry on doing his Important Rock Work.
Not expecting anyone to interrupt him, he hears a knock on the door. He checks his calendar and the day is marked X � showing that it is, in fact, a day for Important Rock Work. It can’t be Aunt Lula, he thinks, since she rarely visits, writing letters instead � and then he remembers the two or three letters she’s sent which he has yet to open. So Badger just ignores the knocking. He hears a voice calling his name, and ignores that. He keeps trying to concentrate on his work, but then he worries that it might be someone or something important, and so he opens the door. There’s a chicken there, but no one else, but before he has time to go back inside, Skunk is there, carrying his red suitcase and introducing himself, and quickly makes himself at home. And at first things seem fine, Skunk is happy to get up and make a big hearty breakfast, and makes himself busy ‘helping� around the house� but in ways that Badger doesn’t really appreciate, although things are all right for a while, a short while. Where Badger has his ways he likes things, Skunk likes things to be another way, which reminded me of Felix and Oscar in the old television seriesThe Odd Couple. Neither is right, neither is wrong, but they see their world in very different ways. They have few things in common, and both are set in their ways. .
When Badger finds a note from Skunk telling him Do not go anywhere tonight. There will be a surprise! Badger is excited; it’s been a long time since anyone has done something like that for him.
And then�
First he heard a sound. An awful sound.
And suddenly a chicken appears. And then more appear. And all at once chickens are everywhere.
Words are said in anger, and Skunk leaves. Alone now, which is what he thought he wanted, Badger is no longer quite as sure, and begins to reassess his reaction, and the good things Skunk had brought to his life. They may bring out the worst in each other at times, but in other ways, they bring out the best. The truth is now he can’t imagine life without his friend.
Charming illustrations by author/illustrator Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen add a wonderful touch to this fun story with a subtle message by Newberry Honor author Amy Timberlake that parents and children will both enjoy reading time and again.
Pub Date: 15 Sep 2020
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Algonquin Young Readers
#SkunkandBadgerSkunkandBadger1 #NetGalley
January 2, 2021
هیچک� از راسوها خوشش نمیآی�. آنه� دردسرساز و بدبو هستند. اما اگر یک روز راسویی در خانه� یک گورکن دانشمند را بزند و بخواهد با او همخان� شود چه؟ آخر و عاقبت این دو موجود متفاوت به کجا خواهد رسید؟
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کتاب راسو و گورکن، تصویرسازی جذاب و داستان بامزها� داشت، اما مهمتری� نکته� منفیاش� پارهپار� بودن داستان بود، طوری که برای من بیشتر به یک انیمیشن میمان� که انگار هر فصلش یک قسمت بود. با وجود این، از آنجایی که شخصیتها� داستان به مرور دستخوش تغییرات قابلدر� و منطقی میشوند� یکپارچگی کتاب تا حدی حفظ شده بود.
از طرفی، کتاب آنقد� که جذاب به نظر میرس� و عنوان و جایزه نصیبش شده، کشش ندارد. انگار داستان میخواه� یک درس اخلاقی بدهد (همزیست� مسالمتآمی�) اما برای هیجانانگی� کردنش چند اتفاق توی آن زورچپان شده است، یکجو� کتاب مهندسیشد� که درست از آب درنیامده.
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کتاب راسو و گورکن، تصویرسازی جذاب و داستان بامزها� داشت، اما مهمتری� نکته� منفیاش� پارهپار� بودن داستان بود، طوری که برای من بیشتر به یک انیمیشن میمان� که انگار هر فصلش یک قسمت بود. با وجود این، از آنجایی که شخصیتها� داستان به مرور دستخوش تغییرات قابلدر� و منطقی میشوند� یکپارچگی کتاب تا حدی حفظ شده بود.
از طرفی، کتاب آنقد� که جذاب به نظر میرس� و عنوان و جایزه نصیبش شده، کشش ندارد. انگار داستان میخواه� یک درس اخلاقی بدهد (همزیست� مسالمتآمی�) اما برای هیجانانگی� کردنش چند اتفاق توی آن زورچپان شده است، یکجو� کتاب مهندسیشد� که درست از آب درنیامده.
November 11, 2020
My thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for an eARC of this book to read and review.
I thought this was going to be a cute book geared towards the 6-9 year old set. It was more trouble-some than cute and I think an older reader would be able to follow this better.
It was troublesome to me because of the disregard for each other's feelings and needs that Skunk and Badger showed. Yes, it was the conflict that needed to be resolved, so there had to be some conflict, but the WAY it was portrayed did not sit well with me.
That may be more of my own issue, as I wasn't seeing the things happening form Skunk or Badger's POV, so maybe I wasn't empathizing with either very well. Also, since they are animals, it is difficult to determine what age they are. Are they akin to teenagers? Grown adults? Children? That would maybe help place their actions and thoughts into context. It seems that they are grown adults, as badger has a "rock science" degree and is published in "rock science" magazines. That bothered me, calling it "rock science" when he was a published scientist with apparently a degree. Why not call it by it's proper name?
It seemed that weird things, such as "rock science", were dumbed down, yet other things, Badger being a scientist and published, the stoat trying to eat the chickens, was not. This leads to my confusion over what age range this would be good for. Anthropomorphic animals and some artwork would lead one to think younger children, but then the science, cooking, cleaning and themes seemed to be a bit more adult.
Then the world didn't seem to be overly consistent. The mammals could speak, but the fowl couldn't, yet all were sentient? So were all carnivorous animals murderers? That's pretty harsh.
I don't know, this one just didn't work for me. The artwork was nice, but the story just ended up confusing me. Not sure who I would recommend this to at the store, other than if the reader likes anthropomorphic animals as characters. Maybe for readers of the Warriors series?
2, I was expecting something different, stars.
I thought this was going to be a cute book geared towards the 6-9 year old set. It was more trouble-some than cute and I think an older reader would be able to follow this better.
It was troublesome to me because of the disregard for each other's feelings and needs that Skunk and Badger showed. Yes, it was the conflict that needed to be resolved, so there had to be some conflict, but the WAY it was portrayed did not sit well with me.
That may be more of my own issue, as I wasn't seeing the things happening form Skunk or Badger's POV, so maybe I wasn't empathizing with either very well. Also, since they are animals, it is difficult to determine what age they are. Are they akin to teenagers? Grown adults? Children? That would maybe help place their actions and thoughts into context. It seems that they are grown adults, as badger has a "rock science" degree and is published in "rock science" magazines. That bothered me, calling it "rock science" when he was a published scientist with apparently a degree. Why not call it by it's proper name?
It seemed that weird things, such as "rock science", were dumbed down, yet other things, Badger being a scientist and published, the stoat trying to eat the chickens, was not. This leads to my confusion over what age range this would be good for. Anthropomorphic animals and some artwork would lead one to think younger children, but then the science, cooking, cleaning and themes seemed to be a bit more adult.
Then the world didn't seem to be overly consistent. The mammals could speak, but the fowl couldn't, yet all were sentient? So were all carnivorous animals murderers? That's pretty harsh.
I don't know, this one just didn't work for me. The artwork was nice, but the story just ended up confusing me. Not sure who I would recommend this to at the store, other than if the reader likes anthropomorphic animals as characters. Maybe for readers of the Warriors series?
2, I was expecting something different, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
I've been (casually) reading through the Newberry Honor Award list of kiddie books here and there because a lot of them are awesome and don't you judge me because I don't care. I'll admit, the artwork for Skunk and Badger initially drew me in because it struck me as reminiscent of Frog and Toad.
Cute, quick read! Quirky humor. Fun book to read to the littles...or... you know. Just read.
Sidebar: if you're into geology or chickens, this book may be for you. If you're into both, you've hit the motherload.
I'd rate this book a G.
Cute, quick read! Quirky humor. Fun book to read to the littles...or... you know. Just read.
Sidebar: if you're into geology or chickens, this book may be for you. If you're into both, you've hit the motherload.
I'd rate this book a G.
October 24, 2020
Skunk and Badger was delightful and funny. Reminiscent of the relationship between Felix Unger and Oscar Madison of the sitcom, The Odd Couple, the interchange between Skunk and Badger was so entertaining.
Forced to share his aunt’s brownstone with Skunk, Badger begrudgingly accepts his new roommate; but not without a fuss. That is where all the entertainment begins.
Skunk and Badger was available as an audiobook with Michael Boatman, an accomplished actor, as the narrator. Mr. Boatman did an outstanding job in the telling of the story. Mr. Boatman was able to capture the essence of all the characters by changing inflection, tone and voice. You will want to listen to the book over and over.
I thoroughly enjoyed Skunk and Badger. It’s a sensational audiobook that will make you laugh, smile, and tug at your heartstrings all at the same time. It’s definitely a five star middle grade audiobook.
I received an audiobook from Workman Audio, through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Forced to share his aunt’s brownstone with Skunk, Badger begrudgingly accepts his new roommate; but not without a fuss. That is where all the entertainment begins.
Skunk and Badger was available as an audiobook with Michael Boatman, an accomplished actor, as the narrator. Mr. Boatman did an outstanding job in the telling of the story. Mr. Boatman was able to capture the essence of all the characters by changing inflection, tone and voice. You will want to listen to the book over and over.
I thoroughly enjoyed Skunk and Badger. It’s a sensational audiobook that will make you laugh, smile, and tug at your heartstrings all at the same time. It’s definitely a five star middle grade audiobook.
I received an audiobook from Workman Audio, through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
October 10, 2020
I think this was meant to be a classic comedy of errors, misunderstanding leading to humorous but awkward situations that resolve sweetly by the close of the book. The pieces are there and the concept is ripe for an amazing book. But the finished piece is concerning to me.
The story read like a series of emotional shaming and bad conflict resolution. If someone showed up, unannounced, to live in your home (whether you own or not) and began to dismantle your life piece by piece... and then only forgave your less than perfectly understanding and kind reaction after you offered to renounce all rights to said home... it would be a real cause for concern for your friends and family.
You can say it is “just� a children’s book. But for those of us who already have to navigate a world that is biased against our need for quiet, for personal space, for time to adjust, well... it sends the wrong message about how to handle conflict and it certainly doesn’t make much room for those who don’t adjust well on the fly. Nor does it display a good counterbalance : truth telling and honest examination of feelings. Life is tough and we *do* have to pivot routinely to major changes. But instead of holding in emotions, model what it looks like to own hesitation or concern and voice that out loud so that it is normalized.
The artwork and concept is great; but I’d be concerned to enforce the myth that introverts, artists, academics are inherently selfish and unwelcoming; Anymore than the idea that skunks are vermin.
The story read like a series of emotional shaming and bad conflict resolution. If someone showed up, unannounced, to live in your home (whether you own or not) and began to dismantle your life piece by piece... and then only forgave your less than perfectly understanding and kind reaction after you offered to renounce all rights to said home... it would be a real cause for concern for your friends and family.
You can say it is “just� a children’s book. But for those of us who already have to navigate a world that is biased against our need for quiet, for personal space, for time to adjust, well... it sends the wrong message about how to handle conflict and it certainly doesn’t make much room for those who don’t adjust well on the fly. Nor does it display a good counterbalance : truth telling and honest examination of feelings. Life is tough and we *do* have to pivot routinely to major changes. But instead of holding in emotions, model what it looks like to own hesitation or concern and voice that out loud so that it is normalized.
The artwork and concept is great; but I’d be concerned to enforce the myth that introverts, artists, academics are inherently selfish and unwelcoming; Anymore than the idea that skunks are vermin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2020
Heartwarming tale about friendship, love, and acceptance. I saw a few similarities between myself and Badger and am resolving to care less about order and schedules and be more like Skunk!
September 13, 2020
Thank you Algonquin Young Reader for the invitation of this blog tour
It is a beautiful tale of an unexpected friendship between a badger and skunk.
Badger a rock scientist lives alone in his aunt’s home, he needs silence and concentration for his important rock work. His life is pretty simple, from eating cold cereal in breakfast to doing specific grocery in only 3 aisles, until skunk comes into his home(technically aunt Lula’s home) and his life.
Skunk is as opposite to badger as one can be. Skunk is extrovert, straight forward and friends with chickens, a lot of them.
Badget started to like a little change but is reluctant to admit it. Until one day he got in a serious fight with the skunk, and skunk left the home. Now he has to decide if he really wants skunk friendship or not?
For middle graders, it is a sweet tale. It teaches a lot of things like without any friend you can spend life but not live it. I loved the way Badger character was developed and shown as a workaholic. If anyone is interested in geology he/she’ll love all the specific details but the others can get bored.
Illustrations in the book were cute and I was looking forward to them, through whole book.
It is a beautiful tale of an unexpected friendship between a badger and skunk.
Badger a rock scientist lives alone in his aunt’s home, he needs silence and concentration for his important rock work. His life is pretty simple, from eating cold cereal in breakfast to doing specific grocery in only 3 aisles, until skunk comes into his home(technically aunt Lula’s home) and his life.
Skunk is as opposite to badger as one can be. Skunk is extrovert, straight forward and friends with chickens, a lot of them.
Badget started to like a little change but is reluctant to admit it. Until one day he got in a serious fight with the skunk, and skunk left the home. Now he has to decide if he really wants skunk friendship or not?
For middle graders, it is a sweet tale. It teaches a lot of things like without any friend you can spend life but not live it. I loved the way Badger character was developed and shown as a workaholic. If anyone is interested in geology he/she’ll love all the specific details but the others can get bored.
Illustrations in the book were cute and I was looking forward to them, through whole book.
February 9, 2023
I am utterly befuddled as to how this book is getting 4- and 5-star reviews. I found it teeth-grindingly annoying and tedious, and I cannot fathom recommending it to an elementary audience. I listened to the audiobook edition and was ready to abandon it after 30 completely frustrating minutes, during which most of my thoughts were something like, "Can this book really be this bad? Why on earth is it winning awards? What am I missing?"
Skunk and Badger were both insufferably inconsiderate. The world building made no sense...animals were sometimes human-like and sometimes animalistic with no consistency. I couldn't root for either Skunk or Badger. I finished the book out of sheer resentful stubbornness and incredulity, holding out hope that there would be some redeeming charmingness in later chapters. I was rewarded only with a sense of relief when the painful last chapter ended.
I purchased 3 copies for my school's library because Skunk and Badger is on the Virginia Readers' Choice list for elementary readers this year and it came highly recommended. I can't imagine book talking it in any convincing way. Perhaps the print edition has a charm that the audiobook did not convey, but for me, this was a very rare and resounding NOPE.
Skunk and Badger were both insufferably inconsiderate. The world building made no sense...animals were sometimes human-like and sometimes animalistic with no consistency. I couldn't root for either Skunk or Badger. I finished the book out of sheer resentful stubbornness and incredulity, holding out hope that there would be some redeeming charmingness in later chapters. I was rewarded only with a sense of relief when the painful last chapter ended.
I purchased 3 copies for my school's library because Skunk and Badger is on the Virginia Readers' Choice list for elementary readers this year and it came highly recommended. I can't imagine book talking it in any convincing way. Perhaps the print edition has a charm that the audiobook did not convey, but for me, this was a very rare and resounding NOPE.
August 7, 2021
Too funny for its own good.
Badger is stuck in his ways. He lives on his own in his aunt's home and is happy geologising his life away. Imagine his dismay then when his aunt sends a friend to live with him. Worse, it's a skunk and Skunk is so unlike Badger that it doesn't bear thinking about. Throw in a hungry stoat and a town full of chickens and you have rock-tumblingly wonderful story full of humour and cheer.
I'm not sure how to categorise Skunk and Badger only to say that it is sophisticated, deeply witty, laugh-out-loud funny story of an tentatively-growing friendship that wears its heart right on its corduroy sleeve. It invites us to look within ourselves at who we are and how others may perceive us whilst also asking us to reflect and consider the thoughts and feelings of others too.
What Skunk and Badger definitely is, is a story whose characters and moments are easily on a par with Lobel's and that's saying something.
Badger is stuck in his ways. He lives on his own in his aunt's home and is happy geologising his life away. Imagine his dismay then when his aunt sends a friend to live with him. Worse, it's a skunk and Skunk is so unlike Badger that it doesn't bear thinking about. Throw in a hungry stoat and a town full of chickens and you have rock-tumblingly wonderful story full of humour and cheer.
I'm not sure how to categorise Skunk and Badger only to say that it is sophisticated, deeply witty, laugh-out-loud funny story of an tentatively-growing friendship that wears its heart right on its corduroy sleeve. It invites us to look within ourselves at who we are and how others may perceive us whilst also asking us to reflect and consider the thoughts and feelings of others too.
What Skunk and Badger definitely is, is a story whose characters and moments are easily on a par with Lobel's and that's saying something.
August 24, 2020
I won this via Instagram giveaway by Algonquin Young Readers..all my opinions are my own:).
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Such an adorable book:) It left me with a warm feeling and had me smiling and laughing. After a difficult work week, this was the ray of sunshine I needed.
The artwork was wonderful, wish more had been in there (compliment, not complaint btw) .
Definitely want to read more about these two and
Might elaborate more later but would highly recommend for young and old!
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Such an adorable book:) It left me with a warm feeling and had me smiling and laughing. After a difficult work week, this was the ray of sunshine I needed.
The artwork was wonderful, wish more had been in there (compliment, not complaint btw) .
Definitely want to read more about these two and
Might elaborate more later but would highly recommend for young and old!
November 25, 2020
This book was weird.
Grumpy badger was a little bit fun to read about but then there are lots of things that kids won’t get (like the rock work or the types of chickens or even what a stoat is). Why did Aunt Lula have a really name but Badger and Skunk were Badger and Skunk? It was good that Badger learned his lesson and changed but it still left me feeling meh
I’m confused as to why this was on SLJ’s best books of 2020 list and why so many people are giving it four or five stars. 🤷🏻♀�
Grumpy badger was a little bit fun to read about but then there are lots of things that kids won’t get (like the rock work or the types of chickens or even what a stoat is). Why did Aunt Lula have a really name but Badger and Skunk were Badger and Skunk? It was good that Badger learned his lesson and changed but it still left me feeling meh
I’m confused as to why this was on SLJ’s best books of 2020 list and why so many people are giving it four or five stars. 🤷🏻♀�
September 25, 2021
At first glance the concept seems similar to Arnold Lobel's immortal Frog and Toad series, but Amy Timberlake's Skunk and Badger is its own creation. The story is much longer, the vocabulary and social situations more complex, and Caldecott Medal winner Jon Klassen (This Is Not My Hat, 2013) brings an offbeat vibe with his mostly black and white illustrations. Badger is content living alone in his aunt Lula's brownstone, until an unfamiliar skunk shows up at the door. An avid, almost obsessive studier of rocks and minerals, Badger had been down on his luck when Aunt Lula offered to let him live in her unoccupied brownstone for a while. He eagerly went about turning the place into his home, filling each room with necessities for his Important Rock Work. In the three years since, Badger has scarcely left the house, preferring to spend time doing hands-on research in his designated rock room. But now Skunk is here, claiming to be a relative; if only Badger had taken the time to read Aunt Lula's letters when they came, he might have heard about this arrangement earlier and been able to stop it. The brownstone is Lula's, however, and Badger has no right to refuse a guest she invited. He lets Skunk inside, dreading the reality of a new housemate.
Skunk doesn't make a great first impression, but he cheerfully sets about doing his share of the housework. The morning after moving in, Skunk whips up a breakfast superior to anything Badger could, a culinary spread that puts Badger in a good mood even if Skunk can be rather noisy around the house. And Skunk didn't come alone: he brought chickens. Dozens of them, of every size, color, and breed. Badger draws the line at allowing them to sleep inside, but Skunk's fowl friends hang around with him most of the day. Badger is displeased by the distraction; all he wants is to lock himself in the rock room and work, getting back to the routine he's established over the last few years. Will Skunk ever understand the need for quiet so Badger can focus on Important Rock Work?
Sharing the brownstone isn't all bad. Skunk has a quirky sense of humor, as do the chickens; Badger can't keep from laughing when he's with them. He's having more fun than he used to, and that counts for something. He'd planned to send Aunt Lula a message insisting she evict Skunk, but...maybe he could wait. A few more days of this isn't the worst thing Badger can imagine. But then the stoat comes to the door, employed by the Speedy Stoat Delivery service, and the (somewhat) happy living arrangement rips apart at the seams. Skunk fears for his chickens' lives, but Badger isn't worried; the stoat is on the job, so surely she won't eat any chickens. When an early morning confrontation with the predator leads Skunk to deploy his natural weapon, Badger is outraged. Is the era of Skunk, Badger, and the chickens living together already over? It's within Badger's power to save the relationship, but he'll have to deviate far from his comfort zone to do so.
We all form habits, good and bad; it's how people are wired. We're afraid to mess up our familiar routine, but when we prioritize comfort over relationships, we do more harm than good. Badger realizes this only after crossing the line and hurting Skunk beyond easy reconciliation. "He had behaved badly. He'd said things. He'd done things. He'd not done things. His behavior had revealed things about him that he'd rather not know and now he knew. He should change. But he was a badger set in his ways. It would be just like him to fall right back into his old patterns and not make a single change." Ignoring the proddings of conscience and reverting to habit is easy, but if you want change, you have to act, even though it's uncomfortable. As an animal who sometimes emits foul odors, Skunk is acquainted with rejection. "Not everyone wants a skunk", he tells Badger forlornly. If Badger hopes to prove he likes Skunk, he needs to do something right now. A zany, sometimes irritating, but special friendship is too valuable to let slip away while you hunker down and study rocks.
I heard substantial talk about Skunk and Badger as a 2021 Newbery Medal candidate. Amy Timberlake won a 2014 Newbery Honor for her previous book, One Came Home, but Skunk and Badger doesn't strike me as worthy of the award. The story has a good heart, but the writing is less than exciting, and I never felt anything resembling the poignancy of the Frog and Toad series. Truly there's only one Arnold Lobel. I might consider two and a half stars for Skunk and Badger, and I'm interested in continuing the series. There are plenty of narrative possibilities going forward.
Skunk doesn't make a great first impression, but he cheerfully sets about doing his share of the housework. The morning after moving in, Skunk whips up a breakfast superior to anything Badger could, a culinary spread that puts Badger in a good mood even if Skunk can be rather noisy around the house. And Skunk didn't come alone: he brought chickens. Dozens of them, of every size, color, and breed. Badger draws the line at allowing them to sleep inside, but Skunk's fowl friends hang around with him most of the day. Badger is displeased by the distraction; all he wants is to lock himself in the rock room and work, getting back to the routine he's established over the last few years. Will Skunk ever understand the need for quiet so Badger can focus on Important Rock Work?
Sharing the brownstone isn't all bad. Skunk has a quirky sense of humor, as do the chickens; Badger can't keep from laughing when he's with them. He's having more fun than he used to, and that counts for something. He'd planned to send Aunt Lula a message insisting she evict Skunk, but...maybe he could wait. A few more days of this isn't the worst thing Badger can imagine. But then the stoat comes to the door, employed by the Speedy Stoat Delivery service, and the (somewhat) happy living arrangement rips apart at the seams. Skunk fears for his chickens' lives, but Badger isn't worried; the stoat is on the job, so surely she won't eat any chickens. When an early morning confrontation with the predator leads Skunk to deploy his natural weapon, Badger is outraged. Is the era of Skunk, Badger, and the chickens living together already over? It's within Badger's power to save the relationship, but he'll have to deviate far from his comfort zone to do so.
We all form habits, good and bad; it's how people are wired. We're afraid to mess up our familiar routine, but when we prioritize comfort over relationships, we do more harm than good. Badger realizes this only after crossing the line and hurting Skunk beyond easy reconciliation. "He had behaved badly. He'd said things. He'd done things. He'd not done things. His behavior had revealed things about him that he'd rather not know and now he knew. He should change. But he was a badger set in his ways. It would be just like him to fall right back into his old patterns and not make a single change." Ignoring the proddings of conscience and reverting to habit is easy, but if you want change, you have to act, even though it's uncomfortable. As an animal who sometimes emits foul odors, Skunk is acquainted with rejection. "Not everyone wants a skunk", he tells Badger forlornly. If Badger hopes to prove he likes Skunk, he needs to do something right now. A zany, sometimes irritating, but special friendship is too valuable to let slip away while you hunker down and study rocks.
I heard substantial talk about Skunk and Badger as a 2021 Newbery Medal candidate. Amy Timberlake won a 2014 Newbery Honor for her previous book, One Came Home, but Skunk and Badger doesn't strike me as worthy of the award. The story has a good heart, but the writing is less than exciting, and I never felt anything resembling the poignancy of the Frog and Toad series. Truly there's only one Arnold Lobel. I might consider two and a half stars for Skunk and Badger, and I'm interested in continuing the series. There are plenty of narrative possibilities going forward.
August 14, 2020
A quiet, charming story that I couldn't put down.
Badger lives by himself in his Aunt Lulu's home doing Important Rock Work. One day there's a knock on the door that he keeps ignoring, until when he opens it and Skunk comes in and says he's Badger's new roommate. Badger is at a loss why Skunk is there, and then remembers the several unopened letters from Aunt Lulu. Skunk makes delicious breakfasts for them, and Badger is astounded that he is expected to then clean up. Skunk knows all the chickens in their neighborhood; Badger didn't realize chickens live around them at all. Skunk disrupts Badger's quiet space and when Badger lashes out, Badger realizes he has to make things right.
When I told my nearly three year old I was reading this book and described it to him, he said "Oh..." in this quietly happy voice and asked me to bring it home and read it to him. Klassen's illustrations are the perfect compliment to the story, and I loved Timberlake's world building. I can't wait for book 2. I can't wait to own book 1 and read it over and over, and share it with others. A pure delight.
Badger lives by himself in his Aunt Lulu's home doing Important Rock Work. One day there's a knock on the door that he keeps ignoring, until when he opens it and Skunk comes in and says he's Badger's new roommate. Badger is at a loss why Skunk is there, and then remembers the several unopened letters from Aunt Lulu. Skunk makes delicious breakfasts for them, and Badger is astounded that he is expected to then clean up. Skunk knows all the chickens in their neighborhood; Badger didn't realize chickens live around them at all. Skunk disrupts Badger's quiet space and when Badger lashes out, Badger realizes he has to make things right.
When I told my nearly three year old I was reading this book and described it to him, he said "Oh..." in this quietly happy voice and asked me to bring it home and read it to him. Klassen's illustrations are the perfect compliment to the story, and I loved Timberlake's world building. I can't wait for book 2. I can't wait to own book 1 and read it over and over, and share it with others. A pure delight.
July 3, 2021
Very sweet. The characters felt real and relatable instantly and much of this is utterly charming while also insightful (yes, "Winnie the Pooh"-esque, though IMO it doesn't equal Milne's work). It's a classic stick-in-the-mud(Badger) meets free-spirit (Skunk) plot -- stick-in-the-mud experiences growing pains, ultimately learns to widen his horizons and his heart... (though at times I feel we are a bit unfair to Badger because, really, what is wrong with knowing who you are and liking it and being a bit put out when your life is turned upside-down?) but it's well-drawn and has enough quirks to make it stand out in its own way. I thought some of it of it was slightly too esoteric (especially considering the target audience, though we do like chickens and rocks so it worked for us), a bit too self-consciously precious at times, a few parts got a bit too rambly, IMO, but overall my eight-year-old son enjoyed it immensely (he picked it first of a big stack of books from the library) and so did I. Looking forward to the next set of adventures.
October 4, 2020
When Badger, dedicated rock-scientist, opens his front door to find a skunk, grinning and holding a suitcase, he is less than pleased. When Skunk moves in and begins to shake up Badger's carefully planned days and turns perfectly organized house upside down, he can barely contain his irritation. When Skunk's own passion turns out to be caring for a hundred or more chickens...well, what's a Badger to do?
I loved this gently funny story of an animal odd-couple who grow and learn from each other and can't wait to recommend it to young readers.
I loved this gently funny story of an animal odd-couple who grow and learn from each other and can't wait to recommend it to young readers.
November 7, 2020
Adorably illustrated by Jon Klassen, this early chapter book about a badger who loves rocks and being left alone, and the skunk who comes to stay.
There is also a large number of chickens of numerous breeds.
There is also a large number of chickens of numerous breeds.
September 20, 2020
I want to thank Algonquin Young Readers for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this very cute book and letting me be apart of their book tour.
Skunk and Badger is described to be a “Winnie-The-Pooh� meets “Wallace and Gromit� I’d add a wee bit of Frog and Toad to the mix, especially when the two of them are having their serious and non-serious talks.
This was an adorable first book to what I think is going to be a series. According to ŷ this is book #1. The book is already out, so if you find my review helpful and your kids would like it, I’d definitely pick it up.
Badger lives in an animal town in a brownstone owned by his Aunt Lula who is a marten. It reminded me of Berenstain Bears, I love reading about animals living their lives like humans. Badger is obsessed with rocks and does Very Important Rock Work! His findings get published in important papers.
One day a skunk shows up on his (his Aunts) door step. He is carrying a red suitcase wrapped with twine. Skunk says Aunt Lula has given him permission to live there. Badger is shocked. Why didn’t she tell him..., oh yeah he had 4 unopened letters from his Aunt. Badger is not a happy camper. After awhile Badger starts getting used to Skunk living there. Skunk makes breakfast, Badger does the dishes “Natures Law�. But then something bad happens.
I loved that Amy had great vocabulary words. Not only did she use the word divulged but she put uncovered next to it. She used similar adjectives teetering and heaped. I did that with my kids growing up. I would say something and give them multiple words that meant the same thing to widen their vocabulary. I’m a word warrior, a wordsmith. I love words and this book made me happy.
Badger is also a scientist so he talks about the difference between minerals (made up of only one compound) and rocks made up of many minerals. I didn’t know that! Cool!! He describes the tools he uses to discover whether he has a rock or a mineral. He is very proud of his rock tumbler (not rock shaker). I loved hearing about where some rocks come from.
Skunk he brings story telling, energy and acceptance to the brownstone. He likes Shakespeare. Not only that but his love of cooking AND chickens. Not joking. Chickens galore. I didn’t know there were so many breeds of chickens.
At a certain point in the book Badger gets mad at Skunk and says 8 hurtful things which equal the definition of vermin. Slunk says “skunks lumped together in generality� Skunk is hurt and decides to leave. I loved how Amy handled this part of the story. People can be set in their ways when it comes to bigotry and prejudice. Badger realizes pretty quickly that what he said was wrong and spends the rest of the book trying to make amends. He meets many of the townsfolk along the way and they tell him “you must apologize! And don’t say I’m sorry, but...� which is a great lesson for kids to learn. You must be genuine with apologizing and mean it.
I also liked that Badger plays the ukulele and sings a Hawaiian song (biased... I’m from Hawaii). There are a few puns that I really liked as well like chicken scratch and Chick Lit teehee.
Overall I found this book a wonderful edition to my book shelves it taught something for my son to learn it had science and math and vocabulary words! It had different breeds of chickens!! Ha! Har! And it had closure. When you are genuine and have learned a lesson and are open to understand someone else, you will meet forgiveness.
The cherry on top was that my son who has autism read this whole book in one sitting without being asked. He usually sticks to his Captain Underpants books. He normally hates reading. I picked this book up and read the first two chapters to him and the next day he decided to sit down and read the whole thing.
So if you like kids books with a moral and animals and chicken puns than you might like this book.
Skunk and Badger is described to be a “Winnie-The-Pooh� meets “Wallace and Gromit� I’d add a wee bit of Frog and Toad to the mix, especially when the two of them are having their serious and non-serious talks.
This was an adorable first book to what I think is going to be a series. According to ŷ this is book #1. The book is already out, so if you find my review helpful and your kids would like it, I’d definitely pick it up.
Badger lives in an animal town in a brownstone owned by his Aunt Lula who is a marten. It reminded me of Berenstain Bears, I love reading about animals living their lives like humans. Badger is obsessed with rocks and does Very Important Rock Work! His findings get published in important papers.
One day a skunk shows up on his (his Aunts) door step. He is carrying a red suitcase wrapped with twine. Skunk says Aunt Lula has given him permission to live there. Badger is shocked. Why didn’t she tell him..., oh yeah he had 4 unopened letters from his Aunt. Badger is not a happy camper. After awhile Badger starts getting used to Skunk living there. Skunk makes breakfast, Badger does the dishes “Natures Law�. But then something bad happens.
I loved that Amy had great vocabulary words. Not only did she use the word divulged but she put uncovered next to it. She used similar adjectives teetering and heaped. I did that with my kids growing up. I would say something and give them multiple words that meant the same thing to widen their vocabulary. I’m a word warrior, a wordsmith. I love words and this book made me happy.
Badger is also a scientist so he talks about the difference between minerals (made up of only one compound) and rocks made up of many minerals. I didn’t know that! Cool!! He describes the tools he uses to discover whether he has a rock or a mineral. He is very proud of his rock tumbler (not rock shaker). I loved hearing about where some rocks come from.
Skunk he brings story telling, energy and acceptance to the brownstone. He likes Shakespeare. Not only that but his love of cooking AND chickens. Not joking. Chickens galore. I didn’t know there were so many breeds of chickens.
At a certain point in the book Badger gets mad at Skunk and says 8 hurtful things which equal the definition of vermin. Slunk says “skunks lumped together in generality� Skunk is hurt and decides to leave. I loved how Amy handled this part of the story. People can be set in their ways when it comes to bigotry and prejudice. Badger realizes pretty quickly that what he said was wrong and spends the rest of the book trying to make amends. He meets many of the townsfolk along the way and they tell him “you must apologize! And don’t say I’m sorry, but...� which is a great lesson for kids to learn. You must be genuine with apologizing and mean it.
I also liked that Badger plays the ukulele and sings a Hawaiian song (biased... I’m from Hawaii). There are a few puns that I really liked as well like chicken scratch and Chick Lit teehee.
Overall I found this book a wonderful edition to my book shelves it taught something for my son to learn it had science and math and vocabulary words! It had different breeds of chickens!! Ha! Har! And it had closure. When you are genuine and have learned a lesson and are open to understand someone else, you will meet forgiveness.
The cherry on top was that my son who has autism read this whole book in one sitting without being asked. He usually sticks to his Captain Underpants books. He normally hates reading. I picked this book up and read the first two chapters to him and the next day he decided to sit down and read the whole thing.
So if you like kids books with a moral and animals and chicken puns than you might like this book.
September 13, 2020
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through Edelweiss
Skunk and Badger was such a delightful read � right from the very first pages. If you were at all a fan of the The Wind in the Willows, you will love Skunk and Badger. This book made me immediately cozy, just as soon as I started reading. It was beautifully illustrated, and had a nice moral to the story without being too obvious about it. It’s a perfect read for families, or just people like me who like such cozy stories. Absolutely recommended! Read more about why I liked it:
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
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Skunk and Badger was such a delightful read � right from the very first pages. If you were at all a fan of the The Wind in the Willows, you will love Skunk and Badger. This book made me immediately cozy, just as soon as I started reading. It was beautifully illustrated, and had a nice moral to the story without being too obvious about it. It’s a perfect read for families, or just people like me who like such cozy stories. Absolutely recommended! Read more about why I liked it:
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
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January 8, 2021
This book was so funny! Move over Frog and Toad, Skunk and Badger are here!
Although this series is for older readers, it definitely gave me Frog and Toad vibes. Also, reminded me of Fantastic Mr. Fox and I started dreaming about what Skunk and Badger would be like as a Wes Anderson stop motion movie! Am I right?!?
Although this series is for older readers, it definitely gave me Frog and Toad vibes. Also, reminded me of Fantastic Mr. Fox and I started dreaming about what Skunk and Badger would be like as a Wes Anderson stop motion movie! Am I right?!?
September 22, 2020
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 fromKirkus Reviews,Publisher’s Weekly, andBooklist. It’s also aFall 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!
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 fromKirkus Reviews,Publisher’s Weekly, andBooklist. It’s also aFall 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!
February 12, 2022
A friend gave me this book for my birthday. I am glad he did. I thought it was a kids book! It looks like a kids book! It’s marketed as a kids book! But it is not a kids book. Badger lives alone in his distant aunt’s row house when the doorbell rings and Skunk informs him she’s given him permission to live there, too. What follows is a complex portrait of friendship which pulls off The Little Prince-like acrobatics of smacking you in the head with sentences that seem simple on the surface but reveal much deeper truths. Jon Klassen is the atmospheric award-winning artist behind popular picture books like This is Not My Hat and his work � featured in full color shiny illustration-only pages!!! � really brings the story to life. Last thing: when I say this book isn’t for kids I don’t mean kids can’t read it. There’s nothing objectionable. I just thought it was written at a pretty advanced level and the themes went really deep. Or maybe I’m just dumb! One of the two.
December 4, 2022
It might be a children’s book but listening to the audiobook I found myself laughing out loud on occasion when walking the dog.
December 31, 2020
3 stars. Hmmn. There is tons of positive press about this story, but I had been forewarned that it didn’t live up to the hype and that proved to be the case. I have admired Amy Timberlake for her intriguing prickly character Georgie and the rich and meticulously researched background in her historical middle grade novel, One Came Home. I love an author that seems genuinely fascinated and delighted by knowledge and packs their books with intriguing incidental information. My one regret with One Came Home was that the plot impelled Georgie to give up her primary love and skill - she was a crack shot. Intriguingly Skunk and Badger, a very different story about two odd-couple cohabiting animals, follows the same arc. Badger is a curmudgeonly introvert who is a passionate geologist doing ‘important rock work.� Skunk is a charming, feckless, creative-type who names the potato that rolls into the kitchen corner and invites 100 chickens into their shared home. The resolution is just what you would expect: Badger learns rocks aren’t everything (they are hard!), comes to relish freshly cooked starchy foods, understands he has hurt skunk’s feelings and caused chickens to distrust him and recognizes that everything is his fault - ‘it is a nightmare of his own making.�
I do not want books to be didactic but I do wish, during an epidemic of childhood and young adult anxiety, authors would give a little rest to the tedious trope of characters constantly moaning that everything is their fault. Aren’t we supposed to be in the midst of a cultural understanding that savior-complex is problematic?
So, to sum up: on the upside there is some fun detail in the story (it is worth it just to lookup Transylvania naked-neck chickens), the illustrations are great, and the characters and setting seem worth knowing. Also happily in the midst of Badger’s self-abasement there is a moment when he applies some cognitive behavioral problem-shrinking skills: “If everyone knows what I have done, there is nothing to hide. But he was wearing pickaxe-and-dynamite pajamas. At least they’re nonrestrictive—sweat-wicking too, he told himself. His pajamas reeked. Surely I am not the first animal with stinky pajamas! And with that, Badger stepped off the sidewalk and crossed the street.� (That was my favorite part of the book :) On the downside the story is overly twee and whimsy packed, entirely predictable and it strikes me as a big bummer that it should be taken as a given that a science and skill- focused introvert must recognize the error of his ways, abase himself and move his rocks into the attic. (though maybe the stairs will help him counteract the effect of all the pies and waffles he will now be eating.) Maybe in a subsequent story Skunk will recognize he should ask Badger to teach him about geology, discover rocks build soil, soil builds plants and plants build animals and consider the possibility that it is considerate, when cooking, to not leave the biggest possible mess for your roommate to clean up. (Man does that sound dull!)
Sample paragraph: The kitchen did not easily accommodate one hundred chickens. The birds had bunched. One deluge of chickens and behold, feathered life! Badger saw not a kitchen, but a chicken biome of the Tropical Chicken Forest sort. Every surface burst forth in feathers. Cabinetry quilled. Right angles went soft and blowy. But this wasn’t plant—this was animal. Now the chicken biome observed Badger with each of its two hundred eyes (right-left-right, blink, blink).
I do not want books to be didactic but I do wish, during an epidemic of childhood and young adult anxiety, authors would give a little rest to the tedious trope of characters constantly moaning that everything is their fault. Aren’t we supposed to be in the midst of a cultural understanding that savior-complex is problematic?
So, to sum up: on the upside there is some fun detail in the story (it is worth it just to lookup Transylvania naked-neck chickens), the illustrations are great, and the characters and setting seem worth knowing. Also happily in the midst of Badger’s self-abasement there is a moment when he applies some cognitive behavioral problem-shrinking skills: “If everyone knows what I have done, there is nothing to hide. But he was wearing pickaxe-and-dynamite pajamas. At least they’re nonrestrictive—sweat-wicking too, he told himself. His pajamas reeked. Surely I am not the first animal with stinky pajamas! And with that, Badger stepped off the sidewalk and crossed the street.� (That was my favorite part of the book :) On the downside the story is overly twee and whimsy packed, entirely predictable and it strikes me as a big bummer that it should be taken as a given that a science and skill- focused introvert must recognize the error of his ways, abase himself and move his rocks into the attic. (though maybe the stairs will help him counteract the effect of all the pies and waffles he will now be eating.) Maybe in a subsequent story Skunk will recognize he should ask Badger to teach him about geology, discover rocks build soil, soil builds plants and plants build animals and consider the possibility that it is considerate, when cooking, to not leave the biggest possible mess for your roommate to clean up. (Man does that sound dull!)
Sample paragraph: The kitchen did not easily accommodate one hundred chickens. The birds had bunched. One deluge of chickens and behold, feathered life! Badger saw not a kitchen, but a chicken biome of the Tropical Chicken Forest sort. Every surface burst forth in feathers. Cabinetry quilled. Right angles went soft and blowy. But this wasn’t plant—this was animal. Now the chicken biome observed Badger with each of its two hundred eyes (right-left-right, blink, blink).
October 4, 2021
I had heard about this series (book #2 has just been published) and thought I'd start with the first one to get the back story. Well, I won't be reading #2 (Egg Marks The Spot) because I didn't care for these characters enough to spend any more time with them. After finishing Skunk and Badger, I read many of the reviews. While reading the four and five star reviews I thought I must have missed something. Then after reading the more critical comments of the 1 and 2 stars, I felt validated. I didn't really like either character - Skunk or Badger - and kept wondering who this book was written for. It's a chapter book, but the writing style and plot seem intended for a younger reader. The author sets up poor Badger to be the bad guy, but he really just has a quirky personality. Skunk moves in and takes over in a bullying kind of way. Other books often glorify the quirky person and the reader is told the right thing to do is to make allowances. In this book Badger has to completely change his lifestyle to accommodate Skunk (and the chickens). Some reviewers have compared this series favorably to the Frog and Toad series, but while that one gives readers warm fuzzies, this one just left me disgruntled and glad to turn the last page.
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