★ 08/03/2020
When Skunk barges into Badger’s quiet brownstone, readers sympathize with the scholarly, solitary Badger, who spends his days doing “Important Rock Work.” Skunk toys idly with Badger’s treasured tools, and he seems bent on staying—but why? A letter from Badger’s Aunt Luna, the building’s owner, answers the question: “What would you think of Skunk moving into the brownstone?” Faced with an unwanted housemate, Badger must learn to live with—and learn from—Skunk’s warm, chaotic presence, especially his willingness to extend hospitality to the neighborhood’s chickens. Occasional art by Caldecott Medalist Klassen offers Wind in the Willows wistfulness. Gleeful, onomatopoeic prose by Newbery Honoree Timberlake, meanwhile, keeps readers engaged through laugh-out-loud repetition as she tackles sensitive issues such as elitism, exclusivity, and even science cited for nefarious purposes: “You’re a skunk. I am a badger. We are not family.” Frog and Toad–like in nuance and tenor, this is no old-fashioned story in which Skunk charms Badger and thaws his frozen heart. Badger is in a privileged position, and his refusal to share what he has and to protect Skunk and his guests has a deep and timely significance—one rendered with an expertly light touch. Ages 8–12. Agent (for Timberlake and Klassen): Steven Malk, Writers House. (Sept.)
A 2021 Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens Selection “Wordy fun, with laugh-out-loud dialogue…this book defies age grouping. Anyone who has shared a living space — with siblings, classmates or grown adults — can relate to this witty and whimsical tale… Lovers of rocks and chickens, and nerds of all stripes, will crack a smile…Scratchy yet sophisticated ink drawings by the Caldecott Medal winner Jon Klassen add warmth to the already cozy text…they give this handsomely designed book the look and feel of a classic.”—The New York Times Book Review “Curmudgeonly Badger is not amused when Skunk moves in. Endearing comedy ensues.”—People “Gloriously complemented by Jon Klassen's meticulous illustrations, Skunk and Badger has the feel of a bygone era while telling a completely modern (and delightful) story of how hard change can be, and how worth it change is.”—NPR “A splendid entry in the odd-couple genre, Timberlake’s spunky series opener posits that compassion and inner transformation can strengthen the unlikeliest of friendships. It’s an approach that gestures toward broader societal conversations (consider the word that prompts Skunk to leave: “vermin”) without losing focus on the story’s delightful central duo. The use of fragmented sentences, repetition, and onomatopoeia makes for a fun read. Klassen’s muted, wistful artwork, meanwhile, invokes sweeping sentiments during key events. Exceptionally sweet.”—Kirkus Reviews , starred review “Newbery Honor Book author Timberlake doesn’t underestimate her readers, unhesitatingly incorporating advanced vocabulary and probing Badger’s inner turmoil… Klassen contributes a winning mix of vintage-feeling color paintings and black-and-white drawings, which highlight both the story’s sweet and laugh-out-loud moments, as well as its understated quirk. It’s a treasure of a book that promises future misadventures from your new favorite odd couple.” —Booklist , starred review “Art by Caldecott Medalist Klassen offers Wind in the Willows wistfulness. Gleeful, onomatopoeic prose by Newbery Honoree Timberlake, meanwhile, keeps readers engaged through laugh-out-loud repetition as she tackles sensitive issues such as elitism, exclusivity, and even science cited for nefarious purposes. Frog and Toad–like in nuance and tenor, this is no old-fashioned story in which Skunk charms Badger and thaws his frozen heart. Badger is in a privileged position, and his refusal to share what he has and to protect Skunk and his guests has a deep and timely significance—one rendered with an expertly light touch.” —Publishers Weekly , starred review “Clear themes of tolerance, friendship, and understanding drive the story in a way that children will respond to. The subtle nod to unemployment and potential homelessness that begins the story provides opportunities to expand learning and compassion. Overall, a sweet unlikely friendship story that would be a welcome addition to any elementary or public library.” —School Library Journal “Amy Timberlake writes with whimsical humor reminiscent of A.A. Milne, Arnold Lobel and Kenneth Grahame, which is reinforced by Jon Klassen's splendid illustrations. [A] charming, funny and touching trilogy opener.”—Shelf Awareness “In Skunk and Badger, Amy Timberlake has created a wonderful world . . . The characters are so lovingly drawn, and the world they inhabit so vivid. Lovers of Winnie the Pooh stories and The Wind in the Willows will find a contemporary story in the same vein. The book ends on just the right note and readers can hope for more adventures with this mismatched pair. Like George and Martha and Frog and Toad, Skunk and Badger feel like literary friends with many pages of stories to tell.”—New York Journal of Books “Reminiscent of Lobel’s Frog and Toad stories... Klassen’s black and white art is finely lined with intricate detail and rich shading, calibrating to the story’s classic feel but maintaining a modern edge. Readers graduating from Lobel’s work but still looking for a good animal buddy story will find it with Skunk and Badger.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books “A charming tale with gorgeous illustrations to match. The unlikely friends story is one that many will appreciate and enjoy, with plenty of nostalgia for older readers. We all remember being read to sleep with wonderful stories, and who is to say we don’t deserve it as adults too? Underneath the cosy atmosphere of Timberlake and Klassen’s creation is a deep, thought-provoking children’s book that doesn’t talk down to younger readers. It is a surefire fall treat.”—Bookstr “Amy Timberlake has written a laugh-out-loud funny book for younger middle graders that puts a fresh spin on the old trope of learning the importance of friendship. The writing is terrific and so funny. The delightful illustrations by Jon Klassen are a nice addition to the story. Kids will love this one, as will anyone who gets hold of it.”—Manhattan Book Review “Kids will love the humor in this book, as the two of them learn to adjust to one another’s peccadilloes and become friends. Hint: you’ll love it, too."—Philadelphia Tribune “Somewhere east of 'Frog and Toad' and west of 'The Odd Couple' live Skunk and Badger, as mismatched a pair of musteloids as you'll ever find in North Twist…Jon Klassen's full-color plates and spot black-and-white illustrations give Skunk and Badger an old-fashioned appearance in the right kind of way…You will learn a little about rocks and chickens while reading this book. More importantly, you will learn about the delicate art of working things out with the people you live with, a timely lesson for many of us cooped up together during the COVID-19 pandemic.”—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “Skunk and Badger —The S an Diego Union Tribune
“…Both an entertaining solo read for emerging readers and a lively read-aloud for younger kids. Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen’s occasional illustrations add yet more pizazz to a story rich with humor and heart.”—Washington Parent “A delightful, witty tale . . . Middle grade readers will be enthralled by the funny, precise portrait of two distinct personalities coming together in an unlikely but durable bond of friendship.”—Midwest Book Review “Fresh and warm as a waffle. More, please!”— Adam Rex, New York Times best-selling author of The True Meaning of Smekday and School’s First Day of School “A gently brilliant book by Amy Timberlake. Skunk and Badger reads like a classic yet couldn’t be more timely, and is one of those books that you want to start rereading as soon as you reach the end. Jon Klassen’s art is fabulous and perfectly suited to the text.”—Jarrett Lerner, author of EngiNerds and Geeger the Robot Goes to School
09/01/2020
Gr 2–5— Badger is a quiet, solitary geologist intent on his important rock work. Skunk is an outgoing, friendly, unwelcome new roommate. They have nothing in common. Aunt Lula must have been crazy to suggest it—this is never going to work out. But, the more time they spend together, the more they learn about each other. Maybe they have more in common than they realized, and maybe being roommates is just what they both needed. And who knew chickens were such conversationalists and story lovers? In a classic odd-couple pairing, Badger and Skunk show how opposites attract and that making friends means opening yourself up to possibilities. Finding the things that we share is much harder than seeing the ways we are different. Badger is a bit testy and grumpy, while Skunk is prone to leap before he looks—but together they are a fun duo who complement each other. Clear themes of tolerance, friendship, and understanding drive the story in a way that children will respond to. The subtle nod to unemployment and potential homelessness that begins the story provides opportunities to expand learning and compassion. VERDICT Overall, a sweet unlikely friendship story that would be a welcome addition to any elementary or public library.—Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford Coll., TX
★ 2020-06-30not ready for his new roommate, Skunk.
The sole resident of his aunt Lula’s brownstone, Badger devotes his days to a life befitting for a rock scientist. Naturally, the semirecluse spends his day in his rock room, where he can do all of his Important Rock Work. Then someone’s knocking politely at the door one day. It’s Badger’s new roommate, Skunk, along with his red suitcase. (If Badger had read those letters from Aunt Lula, he would’ve known….) Skunk swiftly makes himself at home, disrupting Badger’s Important Rock Work in the process. Sure, Badger spends some sweet moments with Skunk, including a discussion of Shakespeare’s Henry V . Skunk even apologizes for the abrupt changes to the living arrangements. Then the chickens arrive, all hens and no roosters (though Skunk does invite Larry), infuriating Badger. When a stoat-shaped menace appears at the door, Badger reacts with little consideration for Skunk or his flock of guests, and Skunk leaves the brownstone after harsh words from Badger. Badger’s left alone and unsure. “It would never work out! But Skunk certainly has his moments,” he ponders. A splendid entry in the odd-couple genre, Timberlake’s spunky series opener posits that compassion and inner transformation can strengthen the unlikeliest of friendships. It’s an approach that gestures toward broader societal conversations (consider the word that prompts Skunk to leave: “vermin”) without losing focus on the story’s delightful central duo. The use of fragmented sentences, repetition, and onomatopoeia makes for a fun read. Klassen’s muted, wistful artwork, meanwhile, invokes sweeping sentiments during key events.
Exceptionally sweet. (Fantasy. 8-12)
Michael Boatman’s narration brings to life the titular odd couple as they meet and slowly become friends. Boatman makes the most of the characterizations provided in the book as the highly introverted Badger is forced to welcome the more effusive and worldly Skunk. He then finds himself torn between liking the new experiences his new roommate affords him and being horrified by them. For example, Skunk, who can cook wonderfully, has a “chicken whistle” that brings 100 birds into Badger’s beloved rock room. Listeners are able to easily differentiate the twosome, and Boatman’s ability to add emphasis helps listeners enjoy the story’s many puns and interjected tales. By the time the audiobook ends, listeners will be eager for the two to continue their adventures. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
Michael Boatman’s narration brings to life the titular odd couple as they meet and slowly become friends. Boatman makes the most of the characterizations provided in the book as the highly introverted Badger is forced to welcome the more effusive and worldly Skunk. He then finds himself torn between liking the new experiences his new roommate affords him and being horrified by them. For example, Skunk, who can cook wonderfully, has a “chicken whistle” that brings 100 birds into Badger’s beloved rock room. Listeners are able to easily differentiate the twosome, and Boatman’s ability to add emphasis helps listeners enjoy the story’s many puns and interjected tales. By the time the audiobook ends, listeners will be eager for the two to continue their adventures. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
