Skip to main content

Skunk and Badger


Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger #1)
By Amy Timberlake
Illustrated by Jon Klassen
Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Young Readers, 2020. Fiction.

Badger is perfectly happy with his life just the way it is, thank you very much. He lives alone in his Aunt Lula's brownstone where he has ample space to spread out and work on his Important Rock Work. He hardly has time for friendships, barely has time to actually cook meals, and definitely does not have time to read letters sent by his Aunt Lula. That's why he's caught by surprise one day when a Skunk appears on his doorstep -- his new roommate. Of course, the brownstone belongs to Aunt Lula, and Badger feels compassion towards Skunk because it is true that not everyone wants to live with a Skunk (their proclivity for spraying and whatnot), but Badger is also certain that he does not need a roommate.

Add this charming early middle grade story to your pile of odd-couple animals stories from Children's Literature. For readers who have graduated from Frog and Toad, this story will bring the laughs and illustrations from Jon Klassen will charm and delight. This would also make a great read-aloud for families with younger kids. This book, the start of a new series, is just exactly what it ought to be.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

An ABC of Flowers

An ABC of Flowers   by Jutta Hilpuesch New York, NY : Philomel Books, [2019] It turns out there really is a flower for every letter. This sweet book has a photograph of every flower and  a sweet cartoon illustration to go along with it. All your favorite flowers are here (forget-me-nots, mums, and sunflowers), along with some you probably haven't heard of before (billy ball, kalanchoe, xeranthemum?).  This is a perfect book for reading together, and readers of any age will enjoy every page. Don't miss this great springtime alphabet book. 

Review: The House with Nobody in It

  The House with Nobody in It By Jon Klassen Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2026. Board Book.  The House with Nobody in It may very well be your child's first ghost story. The simple story begins with the narrator explaining to readers that this house used to have someone in it, but there is now nobody there. Toddlers and preschoolers will love contradicting this statement as they peek through the house that the board book forms, as the ghost is clearly visible throughout the story.  This unique and imaginative board book is the perfect thing to read during Halloween season! The book itself plays into the experience, with cutouts and clever turns that make it especially interactive. The illustrations are superb, simple but well crafted, adding to the story's theme as a whole. This will likely be a book that gets many repeat reads!

Display: Teddy's Top Picks

  Bear in the Air Written by Susan Meyers Illustrated by Amy Bates New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2010. Picture book. When a teddy bear is lost by the child who loves him, the bear begins an adventurous journey to get back home again. -- Editor Blanket and Bear, A Remarkable Pair Written by L.J.R. Kelly Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013. Picture book. When a boy loses his beloved blanket and bear, they travel a great distance to make their way back to him. -- Editor A Bear to Share Written by Jessica Alba, Nora Weinstein, and Kelly Patricof  Illustrated by Alicia Mas New York, NY : Baby2Baby/Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021. Picture book. Tiana loves her teddy bear, Bach. She doesn't mind that he's a little worn and somewhat torn. So when her mother suggests she make room for a new bear, Tiana can't believe her ears! Will Tiana have to lose the one bear she really loves? Or will she find room in her heart for t...