Kids Corner: Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake and Jon Klassen (Illustrator)

A Timeless Classic!

Skunk and Badger
by Amy Timberlake
Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Series: Skunk and Badger (Book 1)
Publication Date: September 15, 2020
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Length: 136pp
ISBN-13: 978-1643750057

Praise

★ “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.”—Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

★ “Newbery Honor Book author Timberlake doesn’t underestimate her readers, unhesitatingly incorporating advanced vocabulary and probing Badger’s inner turmoil as he wrestles with change, takes responsibility for his own poor behavior, and tries to see the world through Skunk’s eyes. 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 it’s understated quirk. It’s a treasure of a book that promises future misadventures from your new favorite odd couple.”—Booklist, starred review

★ “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

About the Author

Amy Timberlake’s work has received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar Award, a Golden Kite Award, and the China Times Best Book Award. She grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin, but now calls Chicago home. She is a proud alumna of Mount Holyoke College, where she majored in history, and holds an MA in English/Creative Writing from the University of Illinois. You can find her walking on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail on cool, crisp fall days.

Click to visit Amy’s web site and watch a book trailer!

About the Illustrator

Jon Klassen is a Canadian-born author/illustrator. He has written and illustrated three picture books of his own (I Want My Hat Back, This Is Not My Hat, and We Found A Hat) and illustrated many other author’s texts, including Sam & Dave Dig A Hole by Mac Barnett, The Dark by Lemony Snicket, and Pax by Sara Pennypacker. His books have won a Caldecott medal and two Caldecott honors and other international awards. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and son.

Publisher Synopsis

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.

My Review

What if I told you that a Newbery Honor winner (Amy Timberlake) has written a story paired with illustrations from a Caldecott Winner (Jon Klassen)? Would you think it sounded too good to be true? Would you think I was ready to pitch a hard sell like a greasy door-to-door salesman? Maybe? Well, before you draw any hasty conclusions and slam the proverbial door in my face, at least get the details: Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake with pictures by Jon Klassen.

“Not everyone wants a skunk.” So said Skunk, and so Badger agreed when he first slammed the door in his face, assuming he was a travelling salesman. Luckily, the story of Skunk and Badger doesn’t end with the two separated by a closed door. Their meeting springs from the generosity of Badger’s Aunt Lula, in whose brownstone Badger lives, deciding to extend a helping hand to Skunk who needs a place to live. And Aunt Lula decides Badger could use a roommate. Only problem is, Badger didn’t know Skunk was coming because he didn’t read Aunt Lula’s letters. He was too wrapped up in his important rock work.

Badger, like the rocks he studies, is rough around the edges and curmudgeonly. Skunk is full of energy and spirit – he cooks a great breakfast, but also leaves a whirlwind of a mess behind. He can be impulsive, but he would prefer to quietly sit and gaze at the moon or read a story (including Shakespeare’s “Henry V”) rather than listen to the noise of Badger’s rock grinder. He and Badger get off to a rocky start at being roommates. But with Skunk’s vibrancy and loving acceptance and inclusion of chickens, Badger’s insular world becomes much wider. As it turns out, Skunk serves as a sort of rock tumbler, smoothing out some of Badger’s rocky exterior. And Badger, geologist though he is, stood to learn a few things about friendship, generosity, kindness, humility, and making uninformed judgments.

Skunk and Badger is a delight! Given the talent behind the creation, I knew the critical acclaim would be there, and the substance, but I had doubts about whether I would care about the story. All those doubts were soon squashed just like Skunk stomping down all the boxes in Badger’s box room. (You’ll have to read the story.)

Skunk and Badger feels like a timeless classic, akin to a folk-tale that’s been passed down through lore and stories told around hearths. I’m not sure I could better describe it, because it feels as comfortable as an old cardigan, and, like a good folk-tale, is made even more pleasing by being read aloud. Further, story is an important aspect to the tale – there is a story within the story, as Skunk recites a tale to myriad chickens. Other important elements within the text are music and its power to comfort, science, humor, and compassion. I love that Skunk and Badger doesn’t talk down to its audience, cater to any trend, or rely heavily on a glossy, marketable cover appeal. The artwork is understated, warm, and organic like Russell Hoban’s Frances books — more Babar or Curious George than modern manga or Disney-inspired art.

The most welcome news of all: Unlike the odd couple featured in their story, the work of Timberlake and Klassen meshes seamlessly. That’s happy news, because Skunk and Badger is the first of a three-part series!

— Dawn Teresa